2 Feb 2009

NZ win opening Chappell-Hadlee match

7:14 pm on 2 February 2009

New Zealand has beaten Australia by two wickets in a thrilling opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee cricket series in Perth.

Captain Daniel Vettori hit the winning runs off the final ball of the match after Nathan Bracken (3-35) and Shaun Tait (2-40) inspired a late comeback.

Earlier, Australia's batting woes continued as paceman Kyle Mills grabbed 4-35 to help bowl out the home side for a paltry 181 in 48.4 overs.

In reply, the New Zealand run chase was hampered by two controversial dismissals.

Brendon McCullum was given out lbw by umpire Bruce Oxenford despite getting a thick inside edge to Tait's delivery.

In the 36th over, when New Zealand was 106 for four, Neil Broom walked on 29 when he thought he was bowled by spinner Michael Clarke.

But replays showed the ball never hit the woodwork, with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's gloves dislodging the bails as he caught the ball just above the stumps.

Ross Taylor refused to let the controversy distract him, hitting six fours and a six in his knock of 64 to guide the New Zealand to within site of victory.

Meanwhile,

The New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori says he's disappointed the Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin didn't speak up after the controversial dismissal of Neil Broom.

Vettori says you saw from Haddin's reaction he knew something was wrong, so he probably should have made more noise about it.