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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.
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