Big-hitting Symonds stays focused

Andrew Symonds clubbed 156 in the second ODI © Getty Images

Andrew Symonds was so busy concentrating on his batting he barely had time to evaluate his remarkable 156-run blitz against New Zealand in the second Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match.

Symonds’ contribution proved vital in Australia’s thrilling two-run win in Wellington, the all-rounder moving from 100 to 150 in 18 balls in a brilliant display of power hitting that helped set up his side’s 322 for five total.

“It’s very hard to tell when you are out there batting how well you think you are going because you have obviously got your mind elsewhere,” the 30-year-old reflected.

“I was really enjoying it at the end when I could just swing at will and there was no restrictions on that. It was just free-as-a-bird sort of feeling.”

Symonds hailed the Westpac Stadium pitch as the best pitch he had batted on in New Zealand.

“I thought it was a really nice surface,” he said. “The ball came onto the bat, it wasn’t sort of checking like it can do over here.”

The batting all-rounder’s innings was all the more memorable because he had to start slowly to rebuild his side’s position after they were 100 for four.

He and Michael Clarke (82 not out) scored a record 220 off 171 balls, the best Australian partnership for any wicket against New Zealand.

Symonds reached 50 off 70 balls, 100 off 109, with the total innings lasting 127 balls - including 12 fours and eight sixes.

Three sixes in succession came off the first three balls of Chris Cairns’ second spell. Kyle Mills fared only marginally better when he returned with his first two balls going over the rope.

The Black Caps also thrived in the conditions in their reply, with Lou Vincent scoring 71 off 49 balls, Cairns 60 off 52, Jacob Oram 41 off 40 and Brendon McCullum 48 off 33 as they were bowled out for 320 in the final over.