WELLINGTON, 19 February 2007 — Australia have lost their place at the top of the world One-Day International rankings after New Zealand batted superbly to register a thrilling five-wicket victory over their rivals in Auckland yesterday.
The home side successfully chased down Australia’s record Eden Park total of 336 for four with eight balls to spare to win the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the first time and condemn the Australians to a fourth straight defeat in nine days.
“It was an amazing day, great for the game and great for us to get across the line in a big scoring match,” New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming told a news conference. “We’ve fallen short numerous times against Australia. It was great to feel the excitement in the stands.” South Africa, who beat Pakistan 3-1 in a recent home series, become the first team to replace Australia at the top of the ICC rankings since they were introduced in October 2002.
The Australians looked to have recovered from their humiliating 10-wicket loss in Wellington on Friday after posting a massive total with stand-in captain Mike Hussey blasting 105 and Brad Hodge 97 not out.
However, New Zealand reached their victory target in the 49th over after man of the match Ross Taylor replied with 117 from 127 balls and Peter Fulton made a composed 76 not out off only 65 deliveries.
The Australians have been under fire for their inexplicable form slump since reaching and losing the tri-series final at home to England, but Hussey said they were still on track for the World Cup.
“It’s not ideal but I can say the spirit is OK. We can’t afford to panic and start making wholesale changes,” Hussey said.
“We have to trust our personnel, trust our own games and trust each other. I know if we keep working hard we’ll be fine. I know big totals being chased down is an area of concern and we’re going to have to get better at it, but I still think we’ve got the right people in the team and in the squad.” Taylor hit 16 fours and one six to lay the platform for his team’s stunning win after Fleming (six), Lou Vincent (26) and Scott Styris (17) all went cheaply. Taylor shared a 115-run partnership with Fulton for the fourth wicket but was dismissed in the 39th over with 109 still needed.
Craig McMillan increased the run-rate with a blazing 52 off just 30 balls before Fulton and Brendon McCullum finished off the run-chase, with the pair slamming 11 runs off the penultimate over from Glenn McGrath to seal the win.
The Australians, missing five of their frontline players including skipper Ricky Ponting and deputy Adam Gilchrist, looked to have done enough to win the match after setting a record total for a One-Day International at the compact venue.
Hussey smashed eight fours and six sixes, while Hodge slammed 10 boundaries and two sixes to narrowly miss out on his first hundred just two weeks after he was left stranded on 99 against the Kiwis in Melbourne.
The left-handed Hussey whacked three sixes in one over off Vincent to reach his second one-day century while Hodge missed his last chance when he hit his final ball for a single when he needed a boundary.
“On a ground like this you’re going to need every run you’ve got,” Hussey said.
“I actually don’t think we did too badly with the ball and in the field.
“A few things didn’t go our way, we had a few very close shaves and on another day they might go our way.”
