Kiwis win fiery clash against Australia
By Greg Buckle, 4 Mar 2010
- Tagged:
- Australian Cricket, Black Caps, Cricket, Mitchell Johnson, New Zealand cricket, ODIs, Scott Styris
Australia’s one-day series against New Zealand began in explosive fashion on Wednesday with pace bowler Mitchell Johnson appearing to clash heads with Kiwi batsman Scott Styris in a mid-pitch confrontation.
A furious Johnson was led away from the equally fiery Styris by Australian players after the pair clashed at the end of the 46th over of the New Zealand innings, in which Styris had slogged two boundaries off Johnson’s bowling.
Chasing Australia’s 8-275 at Napier’s McLean Park in front of 8,257 fans, Styris was the hero with an unbeaten 49 from 34 balls to guide the Black Caps to a two-wicket win with four deliveries to spare.
A pumped-up Styris, who was recalled for the injured Daniel Vettori, hit Doug Bollinger (2-58) for six to clinch the win.
Man-of-the-match Ross Taylor, who was acting captain with Vettori absent because of a neck strain, top-scored with a fine 70.
New Zealand’s innings began in fine fashion with Peter Ingram (41) and Brendon McCullum adding 76.
It took a brilliant catch by Mike Hussey running with the flight of the ball at mid-off to remove Ingram in the 12th over.
Bollinger struck a key blow when he had McCullum playing onto his stumps for 45.
When James Hopes removed Martin Guptill for nine, Australia had pegged back the early onslaught and the Kiwis were 3-106 in the 21st over.
Spinner Nathan Hauritz made a key breakthrough when wicketkeeper Brad Haddin juggled an outside edge to remove James Franklin (12) at 4-175.
Taylor’s dismissal to Shane Watson’s bowling as Hussey claimed another outfield catch sent the Kiwis into the final 10 overs needing 71 to win with five wickets in hand.
Bollinger soon had Neil Broom (19) heading back to the sheds and Daryl Tuffey (12) was bowled by Ryan Harris while Tim Southee was run out for two.
But New Zealand’s tail wagged all the way to victory with the crowd roaring.
Australia’s 8-275 came after the tourists peeled off 82 runs in the last 10 overs.
Hussey top-scored with a run-a-ball 59, falling in the 48th over when he was bowled by Kiwi pace spearhead Shane Bond (2-50).
Australia’s innings was built around a sixth-wicket partnership of 82 between Hussey and Hopes (33).
Opener Shane Watson continued his fabulous season with 45 off 31 balls and Ponting (33) and Cameron White (33) also got starts.
Game two is in Auckland on Saturday.
“I saw it, yeah. I was watching it from where I was fielding,” Ponting said of the Johnson-Styris clash.
“I’m not sure what led to it. I didn’t see any build-up.
“There was obviously something that happened.
“I rushed in as quickly as I could and separated them as quick as I could and we just tried to finish off the game well from there.”
Asked if the pair could face fines or possible suspensions from match referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka, Ponting said he wasn’t sure.
“I’m sure they’ll be talking about it though,” Ponting added.
Styris said hitting the winning runs against Australia was a great feeling.
Asked if he had been head-butted by Johnson, Styris said: “He might have come quite close, I don’t know. He may have done.
“It was just a bit of friendly banter. He was trying to get into my head to get me out and I was trying to win the battle over him.
“There was nothing that you don’t see in most other international games.
“The Australians play good competitive cricket and I’d like to think that we will match them in that competitiveness.
“There wasn’t anything untoward I think out there. They were trying to win, we were trying to win.”
Styris confirmed that all-rounder Jacob Oram, who injured his knee while fielding during Australia’s innings, was padded up to bat at No.11 if required.
“Hopefully Dan’s back for the next game. I think Jacob (Oram) is having a scan tomorrow,” a jubilant skipper Taylor said.
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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March 4th 2010 @ 4:13pm
Hammer said | March 4th 2010 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
One thing that hasn’t been touched on is the success of the Chappell / Hadlee series … when it kicked off – the general comment from Australai was that no-one expected it to last, it would be far too one sided and was treated with derision from certain quarters in Australia …
however since it’s inception it’s probably been the most competitive one day series Australian cricket has been involved .. sure still early days and we’re only 17 games in …. but at the start who would have put money on the kiwis heading it 8-7 overall
March 4th 2010 @ 5:29pm
Campbell Watts said | March 4th 2010 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
true enough Hammer – nice research!
Kiwi’s punching above their weight division again!
GO BOYS!!
March 4th 2010 @ 7:30pm
Viscount Crouchback said | March 4th 2010 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
Am I reading this correctly? Mitchell Johnson attempted to head-butt Scott Styris? The mind boggles. Just how brutish do Australian cricketers have to become before the Australian administrators step in and hand out their own punishments? I can safely say that if an Englishman had done something like this, there would be uproar in the English press and the ECB would almost certainly step in and mete out its own stringent disciplinary measures.
You chaps need to get your house in order. Like it or not, Australian cricketers bear the brunt of the responsibility for the brutalisation of Test cricket over the past few decades, and so you also bear the brunt of the responsiblity for putting things right.
These things simply are not tolerated in other nations.
March 4th 2010 @ 7:36pm
elbusto said | March 4th 2010 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
I have to admit I did not watch this game and I have not watched a one dayer this year. I saw the incident betweenn Styris and Johnson on the news and thought it was not much of anything. The media enjoyed it though.
The fact that this game was obviously a ripper may mean I watch the next one. I love Aussie Kiwi stoushes and the incident between the players may do something to reignite some passion in these games from a TV Viewers point of view.
I liked Ponting’s reaction – got that glint in his eye – he knows its on for one and all – expect something special from him in the next two games.
This Kiwi Team is a good one so good luck to them.
March 5th 2010 @ 8:33am
Jameswm said | March 5th 2010 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Whiteline
He’s a good leg spinner – he lands them pretty consistently, gets some turn (not like Warnie – yet), has a good flipper. He needs more bowling and experience, and frankly more tutelage from Warnie – not the odd hour every few months.
As for the incident – maybe technically a heat butt but it was never done to hurt the other guy (how could he when the other guy had a helmet on?) – it’s not like he cocked his nick back, it was more he just kept walking to Styris until their heads were touching.
Johnson’s normally a more laid back sort of bloke.
Anyway, the Aussies just have to play better. 270 was never enough on that ground, and they wasted that start. Why don’t they send Warner over to open with Watto and bat Haddin at 7?
Warner
Watson
Ponting
Clarke I guess
White
MHussey
Haddin
There’s your obvious top 7.
March 5th 2010 @ 9:49am
Republican said | March 5th 2010 @ 9:49am | Report comment
I wondered how long it would be before we were subjected to the predictable Kiwi whinge – cringe of pre historic like proportions ref to the’ Underarm’ and Australias supposed predisposition for poor sportsmannship.
It’s as if NZ’ers go looking for ammo in order to hate more, it brings out the best in them I guess.
You would think that bad sports person ship for the P.C amongst us, was never practised in NZ. I know it is truely alive and well, having been exposed to Kiwi spectators both here and in NZ. They really are a bitter and twisted collective of anti Australian vitriol – to be sure.
Next, a sanctimonious barrage covering everything from our alliance with the USA to our treatment of our indigenous?
Pure as the driven snow you Kiwis and how ironic that we continue to indulge you your mercenary ways, in piggy backing on all that is expediently advantageous to you.
Enjoy your spoils, while they last.
March 5th 2010 @ 10:34am
Zac Zavos said | March 5th 2010 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Republican – I’m not sure what’s confusing to you about our comments policy, but having a dig at another nation is not appropriate on The Roar. All future comments along these lines will be deleted.
A reminder to all Roarers to please report comments and cheer down inappropriate ones so only informed, respectful and on-topic sports debate is seen on The Roar.
Thanks,
Zac
The Roar
March 5th 2010 @ 10:41am
MarkR said | March 5th 2010 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Zac – a serious question where’s the line ? Comments from Ziontrain, Antogonist, JamesB , & Viscount Crouchback could all be perceived as hiving a dig at a country (even my comments about NZ & I’m a Kiwi). Repbulican went a bit over the top but nothing like some of the other stuff I’ve seen posted in the past.
As I stated, a serious question so for once I’m not trying to be a windup.
Cheers
Mark.
March 5th 2010 @ 11:36am
Zac Zavos said | March 5th 2010 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Mark – comments within a post should be related to the article. When a comment comes in which simply attacks a person, code, or country – then it’s not appropriate.
We’re working very hard to get rid of the ‘other stuff’ you refer to so don’t assume that because someone has said something worse then it’s ok. We receive over 15,000 comments each month on The Roar; it’s what makes the site unique. So we rely on others to report comments.
Thanks,
Zac
March 5th 2010 @ 11:43am
MarkR said | March 5th 2010 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Zac, thanks for the clarification & I appreciate the effort you put into this excellent site.
March 5th 2010 @ 9:54am
Ziontrain said | March 5th 2010 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Republican, your not a Librarian by any chance are you?
March 5th 2010 @ 9:58am
Darwin hammer said | March 5th 2010 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi … eh repub – god you’re a tiresome troll
March 5th 2010 @ 9:59am
Republican said | March 5th 2010 @ 9:59am | Report comment
No I’m an Australian Ziontrain.
March 5th 2010 @ 10:05am
MarkR said | March 5th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Hahaha Repub, no it’s more like you can never beat the Ozzie cricket team, only score more runs than them. I’ve been to cricket games in both countries & would say it’s a line ball call who’s the worse supporters. Although the Kiwis will admit when they’ve been beaten by a better team.
March 5th 2010 @ 10:27am
MarkR said | March 5th 2010 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Repub, one thing Kiwis excel at is the self righteous indignation, but to say Kiwi supporters are worse than Ozzie, mate you’re dreaming.