Hamilton: Opener Brad Haddin smashed a hundred as Australia beat New Zealand by six wickets to take a 2-1 series lead in the Chappell-Hadlee series in Hamilton yesterday.
Haddin hit seven fours and five sixes en route to his 121-ball 110 as Australia chased down 245 with 2.4 overs to spare at Seddon Park. He was ably assisted by captain Ricky Ponting, who scored 69.
Australia went into the game with the sudden departure of vice-captain Michael Clarke who quit the tour due to personal reasons.
Sent into bat, New Zealand could not bat out their full quota of overs with paceman Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson picking up three wickets each. Ross Taylor top-scored for the Kiwis with 62, but none of the other batsmen capitalised on their starts. Scott Styris, hero with the bat in the opening game, scored 41.
Australia were given an early jolt to their run chase when Shane Watson was run out, but Haddin and Ponting steadied the visitors with a 151-run stand for the second wicket. Ponting's 71-ball knock included nine boundaries.
New Zealand hit back with two quick wickets of Ponting and Mike Hussey, before Haddin was stumped with 16 runs more to chase. But Cameron White and Adam Voges ensured no further hiccups as Australia overhauled the modest target with ease.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia general manager of cricket, Michael Brown, said on Monday that Clarke left the team hotel on the eve of the match and it was not known if or when he would rejoin the tour.
Brown said Clarke was attending to "personal, non-cricket matters" and asked that his privacy be respected.
Brief scores
Australia 248/4 (Haddin 110, Ponting 69) beat New Zealand 245 (Taylor 62, Johnson 3-41, Harris 3-48) by 6 wickets.
