Mike Hussey showed why he is regarded as the best finisher in one-day cricket when he guided Australia to a four-wicket win over England in a low scoring tri-series international on Friday.
Hussey scored an unbeaten 46 in Brisbane to steer the world champions to their victory target with more than 11 overs to spare to earn a bonus point after England were bowled out for just 155.
Australia were always in control of the match after England’s dismal display but had to work harder than expected for their win after slumping to 108-6 when their own batting failed.
Jon Lewis (4-36) and James Anderson (2-29) ripped through the Australian top order to give the tourists some hope of an upset win before Hussey and Brett Lee (20 not out) slammed the door shut with an unbroken partnership of 48.
Hussey, who was named last year as the International Cricket Council’s best one-day player for 2006, produced another masterful display after surviving an appeal for caught behind on 19.
The left-hander hooked England skipper Andrew Flintoff for a six and struck five boundaries in an otherwise patient innings off 73 balls that earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Lewis and Anderson both bowled superbly on a pitch that offered plenty of bounce and sideways movement but England’s failure with the bat meant they never had enough runs to defend.
The tourists, yet to beat Australia in any form of the game on tour, made their best start to the summer when 34-year-old debutant Mal Loye (36) and Andrew Strauss (18) put on 52 for the opening wicket inside the first 11 overs.
Both openers smacked confidence-boosting sixes but the wheels inexplicably fell off when the pair were dismissed in successive overs and the rest of the England batsman folded, some in comical fashion.
Jamie Dalrymple chipped in with a patient 31 before he was last man out and Flintoff made 27 but none of the other batsmen made at least 20 and six players failed to reach double figures.
Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken took three wickets apiece for 24 runs while Lee captured two wickets and Cameron White one.
Australia’s next match is against New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday while England’s next game is against the Kiwis in Adelaide on Tuesday. — Reuters