Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey made half-centuries and shared a 90-run partnership to steer Australia to a two-wicket win over New Zealand in a tri-series limited-overs cricket match yesterday.
Clarke made 75 batting at No. 3 in the order, ahead of captain Ricky Ponting.
Hussey clinched Australia's fourth win in as many tri-series matches with an unbeaten 65, hitting a six to reach the winning target at the Sydney Cricket Ground with eight balls to spare.
Australia lost openers Adam Gilchrist (3) and Matthew Hayden (0) with only six runs on the board and were 17 for three when Ponting was out for five. Clarke responded to his elevation in the Australian order with an authoritative innings which included partnerships of 60 with Andrew Symonds (38) and 90 with Hussey, which blunted a defiant New Zealand performance.
Earlier, New Zealand had been seven for two, batting first after winning the toss, before Craig McMillan plundered 89 runs from 87 balls to lift them to 218 in 47.4 overs, their best total of the series to date.
The failure of the New Zealand top order and a poor performance in the field contributed to the Kiwis' third loss in as many games.
Clarke was dropped twice in his innings, by James Franklin in the outfield off Mark Gillespie and by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Michael Mason.
Those lapses dragged down New Zealand's bid for victory and dented Mason's figures of two for 46 and Gillespie's 2-34.
Clarke turned the match Australia's way with his 111-ball innings that included nine boundaries, while Hussey was again called on to close out the match and leave Australia unbeaten at home.
Ponting's team is bidding to come on the second Australian side in 28 years to complete an unbeaten season.
Hussey took his 65 runs from 73 balls, with six fours and the six off Nathan Astle, which sealed the victory.
New Zealand had earlier made the unusual decision to extend its batting lineup by playing batsman Hamish Marshall in place of spinner Jeetan Patel.
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