Australia saved the face with heavenly help and though the series was drawn, they could retain the trophy by virtue of their victory in 2007-08. Rain showered over NZ team’s hope of making the first ODI series win in Australia as they could not complete the requisite 20 overs in the match chasing the revised score of 156 runs in 20 overs. Any possibility of play could not be seen on Friday after a prolonged shower but the play commenced after a laudable work from the ground staff though it had been reduced to 22 overs. The Kiwis had to face strong offence from the Aussies bowling as they lost their opener McCullum cheaply in the chase to the glory, but Guptill kept on thrashing the ball all around the court in an apparent attempt to keep the rain away from their historic series victory. He found his half century in just 24 balls and developed his score to 64 off 34 balls and he vanished the ball in to the blue thrice to get huge sixes. His innings also featured 5 boundaries.

Australia’s fate was looking dimmer as they lost the toss and were invited to bat first. Hopes could not stick on to the crease and he gave enough time for Vettori to even have a tea before catching him off Mills at a score of 9 runs. The bowler once again rejoiced with Ponting being his next victim for 2. Last time heroes Hussey brothers too joined the pavilion without making any solid contribution and the hosts would have been kneeled down had Haddin and Ferguson failed to make a stand of unbeaten 98 runs for the 5th wicket. Haddin continued with his fine form with an 88 off 65 which included 5 fine fours and 3 huge sixes. New babe Ferguson also showed his caliber with an unbeaten 55 of 35 balls. Mills stood apart for NZ with 2 for 22.

After losing McCullum, Fulton joined Guptill and the duo accelerated the scoring at a pace alarming to the Australians. But when the cricket score was 40 Fulton went back after scoring a lightening 22 off 12 serving Bracken with his wicket. Then the worst happened to New Zealand with Guptill’s partners failing to succumb to the crease and the score of 6/73 after 8 overs enlightened some ray of hope for Australia in the final match of the ODI series. But much of the play was about to come as Guptill got an appropriate partner in Diamenti.

The duo kept on the fight going and some good cricketing shots were unleashed during their stay of 6 overs there. The score was inching towards the revised target of 156 in 20 overs as per Duckworth- Lewis theory and Guptill scored 64 runs from just 34 balls along with Diamenti who scored a sporty 26 off 22. It looked as if every thing was kept ready to celebrate Black caps first ever ODI series win in Australia with the visiting side requiring just 33 runs from 36 balls and they even had a power play of 2 overs left to their advantage. But human beings can seldom tackle with the heavenly obstacles and rain started off with the Black caps getting wet enough to miss out the series win.

Though the Chappell-Hadlee Series remained drawn at 2- all, the Aussies retained the trophy as they were holding it after winning the 2007-08 series. Mike Hussey was named the man of the series. The tour might have helped Aussies to regain some confidence as per Cricket360.com as they could come back from sympathetic losses in the first two matches to level the series.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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