Veteran paceman John Hastings’ career-best 48 not out at Wellington yesterday steered Australia to a series levelling four-wicket win over New Zealand with the decider at Hamilton on Monday.
Set 282 for victory, Australia was in dire straits at 6-197 when Hastings joined Mitchell Marsh with only leggie Adam Zampa on debut, and pacemen Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland left in the order.
Having been thumped by 159 runs at Eden Park last Wednesday, only the true believers gave Australia the ghost of a chance of victory.
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Marsh and Hastings were superb with their 86-run stand, but for mine Hastings deserves the greater credit with an innings way above his station
Marsh is expected to score runs and take wickets, and with an unbeaten 69 off 72 with nine fours and a six after his 2-30 off six, he was named man of the match.
But there are times when the obvious isn’t necessarily the way to go – and that’s why Hastings is my man of the match.
The run chase should ave been a stroll in the park after Usman Khawaja and David Warner had added 122 for the first wicket off just 98 deliveries
But with skipper Steve Smith (2), George Bailey a first ball duck,and Glenn Maxwell’s fourth successive single figure failure, the Australian lost 3-22, and were 4-144 as New Zealand started tightening the screws.
When Warner (98) was dismissed and Matthew Wade (2) quickly followed, it seemed all over bar the shouting.
Not so was Hastings’ reaction.
He dealt with equal aplomb with Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, and the Black Caps best bowler Trent Boult, while Marsh played one of his best digs.
But it was Hastings who fittingly had the last say, smacking successive boundaries of the world’s number one ranked ODI bower Boult to finish the job in style.
To say Hastings was pumped would be the understatement of the decade – and he thoroughly deserved to be.
Just as pleasing was to see the real Mitchell Marsh stand up to be counted.
While the Australians snuck home against the odds, there’s still plenty of hard work to be done with the attack.
Hazlewood, Boland, and Maxwell all went for more than a run a ball, Zampa was close at 5.70, and Marsh was 5.00
The most economical was Hastings at 4.20 an over, just another bullet in the magazine to shoot for man of the match.
Don Freo
Guest
Exactly.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
They have Don. Tom Moody is at it.
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
Hastings is one of those guys that plays above his ability - good luck to him. Maxwell is the polar opposite, all the skill and an empty skull.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I love Hastings. He is a throwback to the sort of cricketer, even athlete, that was once a real staple but has sadly disappeared. He's a big bloke, and whilst I'm sure is incredibly fit, doesn't really look it. He doesn't seem to have that natural talent many have, there's nothing pretty about his batting or his bowling, yet he's effective. He isn't necessarily taking the big wickets or hitting the winning runs, but his contributions have been vital - an unsung hero. As the commentators noted on Saturday, you just need to look at his face whilst he's batting or bowling to see that he's putting everything he's got into it. The bloke's a deadset Aussie champion.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I didn't realise that just because you have the "expert" tag, you're allowed to constantly slag off a professional athlete that is giving his all for his country and has been recognised by the community as being the standout player in one of the three formats in the country, the format in which we are world champions no less. You are the least objective journalist on this site.
Don Freo
Guest
I suspect you can expect a call up from "the massive coaching staff", Tana. Obviously noticing things they never have.
Don Freo
Guest
A lot of excitement about Watson on the basis of one innings.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Watson is a walk-in in any ODI team in the world, always has been. His non selection is more to do with build up for next World Cup. Have faith, Maxi has delivered and will deliver. These failures will make him better. Maxi is a rare talent, we need to persist with him.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Marsh was brilliant. Won the game for us. He does need to tighten up his technique a little. Plays away from his body. He will be ok on wickets that's don't offer much movement, which has been the case in most ODIs lately, could be exposed on wickets that offer some movement to bowlers. I'm hoping the massive coaching staff we have sort that out. The bloke is full of talent/potential.
Don Freo
Guest
India A...6 for 45...peeled off a double century.
Don Freo
Guest
The first game was really close too, with that reasoning. If Shaun Marsh and Warner were not dismissed, we would have lost no wickets at all.
Don Freo
Guest
No. That is a rubbish ball. Works against Bmac and Jordan Silk but Sharma and Kohli laugh at it.
Don Freo
Guest
How precious, David. Sook.
Prosenjit
Guest
Watson is once again making his claim and seems to have regained his old form.maxi will be under pressure from him.
Prosenjit
Guest
Nothing wrong in criticising maxwell.time and again his batting is reckless.clint mckay could be a next to nothing bowler in india.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Mitch has been in tough situations before a couple of times at least. Against SA and against England.
Nudge
Guest
Agree with Andy, Mitch Marsh had a lot of luck at the start of his innings. To be honest I couldn't believe he was still at the crease after 20 balls. He looked absolutely woeful. That all been forgotten though with how he finished the game.
East Bound & Down
Guest
Yeah that's where it was anyone's game ...
Nudge
Guest
Disagree Craig. I think Hazlewood is a very good white ball bowler. Probably better white ball bowler than red at this stage
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
I think its a little unfair to criticise Maxwell for how he got out. It wasnt an outrageous shot and Mitch Marsh had a few wild slashes outside off early in his innings that could just as easily have been nicked behind. Sonetimes you get the rub of the green and full credit to Marsh for making the most of his chances and playing a good knock after a tough start to the innings. Hopefully we will see a good innings from Maxwell in the third ODI as he is a great player to have in the team. Great in the field and a handy spinner.