Australia withstand Vettori assault

Daniel Vettori punishes Doug Bollinger for erring in length as New Zealand threaten to snatch an unlikely victory at Eden Park

Australia survived a late charge by Daniel Vettori to win the second one-day international in Auckland and level the series.

Having pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win in the opening contest, New Zealand were unable to repeat the feat at Eden Park today as they slipped to a 12-run Duckworth-Lewis defeat.

Chasing a revised target of 266 from 45 overs after rain interrupted their initial pursuit of 274 to win, New Zealand fell narrowly short despite Vettori’s splendid 70 off 49 balls.

The captain, returning to the side despite an ongoing neck injury which kept him out of the first encounter, followed up his haul of 2-43 with a brutal innings which rescued New Zealand from the depths of 176 for seven.

However, he was last man out with 10 balls remaining as Australia demonstrated their famed fighting spirit while maintaining their hopes of winning the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Australia’s total of 273 for seven was built around half-centuries from Brad Haddin, Cameron White and Mike Hussey, while Shane Watson weighed in with 47.

Vettori and Shane Bond, who took 2-40, helped keep them in check somewhat, but Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson undermined New Zealand’s chase with two early wickets apiece.

Scott Styris, man of the match on Wednesday, sparked a recovery with a determined 46. Gareth Hopkins contributed 35 and provided Vettori with valuable assistance.

However, Johnson struck twice more to end frustrating lower-order stands – he finished with 4-51 – and Harris returned to the attack to remove Vettori and earn himself figures of 3-34.

Watson and Haddin gave Australia a fine start by putting on 73 for the first wicket inside 14 overs, only for Watson to swing Daryl Tuffey to deep midwicket and Ricky Ponting to top-edge a sweep off Vettori to cover in successive overs.

Vettori, forced into an early return because Ross Taylor was sidelined by a hamstring problem, held a superb left-handed return catch to account for Haddin, who made 53, moments before Bond hurried Michael Clarke into a pull.

Shane Bond is bowled by Mitchell Johnson, one of four wickets for the left-arm pace bowler that helped secure Australia's win

White and Hussey repaired the damage with a 101-stand for the fifth wicket, the former hitting Franklin for two consecutive sixes to bring up his fifty.

However, he located Brendon McCullum at deep mid-on attempting another maximum off the next ball, which signalled the end of Franklin’s involvement due to a hamstring injury.

Having made 56 – his second half-century in as many matches – Hussey perished in similar fashion, but James Hopes and Mitchell Johnson added 35 off 28 balls before the former was run out off the final ball of the innings.

New Zealand’s reply faltered early on, Haddin taking a spectacular diving catch in front of first slip to account for McCullum off Johnson.

Harris trapped Peter Ingram and Neil Broom lbw with successive deliveries, and Franklin gloved Johnson down the leg side after a rain delay had forced the match to be shortened.

Watson located Martin Guptill’s edge to strengthen Australia’s grip, but Styris responded by taking on Johnson, with whom he had been involved in an altercation during the series opener.

Although Styris clipped Nathan Hauritz to midwicket, Hopkins put on 45 with Vettori for the seventh wicket and Tuffey accompanied his skipper for the addition of 37 for the eighth.

Vettori smashed six fours and a six en route to a blistering 34-ball half-century, and continued in similar vein either side of Bond’s departure, bowled making room to Johnson.

However, he too was bowled as he stepped across his stumps attempting to flick Harris to leg, leaving the series intruigingly poised ahead of the third match in Hamilton on Tuesday.