Symonds blasts 156 as Aussies clinch New Zealand series

WELLINGTON—Australia’s Andrew Symonds blasted a brilliant 156 to seal the one-day series against New Zealand Wednesday as the hosts’ courageous run-chase fell just two short in a thrilling climax. Australia recovered from a shaky start to post an imposing 322-5 but New Zealand chased to the very end, falling only in the final over when they lost two wickets and could score only three of the six runs needed to win. Captain Ricky Ponting said Symonds’ innings, the third highest one-day total by an Australian and the biggest ever compiled against New Zealand, was “unbelievable”. “You won’t see many better than that, you probably won’t see any better than that at all,” he said.
Symonds and Test reject Michael Clarke (82 not out) came together for a partnership of 220, the highest ever fifth-wicket partnership for Australia against New Zealand and one which appeared certain to put the match beyond the hosts’ reach. But New Zealand put itself in the box seat in the second last over of the match, scoring 18 runs off Brett Lee, including two boundaries, two no-balls and a wide. Needing only six runs from the final over, New Zealand lost its composure with first Brendon McCallum (49) and then Kyle Mills both run out to end the innings with one ball remaining. The direct hit by Clarke to run out McCallum was “sensational”, Ponting said. “That was the turning point of the game really,” he said.
Australia’s debutant bowler Mick Lewis kept his composure in the last over, conceding only three runs and running out Mills to finish off the New Zealand challenge. He finished a day to remember with the best Australian figures of 3-56. After a watchful start, Symonds smashed 12 fours and eight sixes from 127 balls. He hit two straight sixes off Kyle Mills in the 47th over and another three off consecutive balls from Chris Cairns in the next, crashing 56 runs off his last 18 balls against a demoralised Kiwi attack. Cairns had good reason to rue putting Symonds down off the bowling of Jacob Oram in the 19th over when he had scored just 13.
Clarke played a vital role in supporting his team mate, coming in when the innings was delicately poised at 101 for four in the 22nd over. His unbeaten 82 came off 77 balls and included nine fours. New Zealand opener Lou Vincent chose a high-risk but successful strategy in opening the run chase, attacking Australia’s opening bowlers Lee and Nathan Bracken. Despite pulling a thigh muscle and bringing on a runner, his bold stroke-making seemed little affected. But a wild swing at Lewis resulted in an edge to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, ending Vincent’s swashbuckling 71 off 48 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
From 93 without loss, the New Zealand innings lost momentum with five wickets falling for the addition of just 63 runs. New Zealand saw a glimmer of hope when allrounders Cairns and Jacob Oram set about repairing the damage. Cairns in particular mixed judicious defence with his typical big hitting, including two consecutive sixes off Symonds. The New Zealand pair put on 81 runs before Cairns holed out to Lee at long on for 60, giving Lewis his third wicket.
Oram’s 41 and McCallum kept New Zealand’s hopes alive and helped restore their pride after their humiliating 147-run capitulation in the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee series. However, the loss means they will only have pride to play for in Christhcurch on Saturday. New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori said there was “massive” disappointment New Zealand but added he was proud of the way his side came back into the match.—Agencies