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Hussey leads Australia to crushing 141-run triumph
Mike Hussey ended a run of poor form with a match-winning innings for Australia in the first one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead.
Mike Hussey ended a run of poor form with a match-winning innings for Australia in the first one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead.
Hussey hit 83 not out as Australia piled up 286 for seven yesterday.
South Africa were then bowled out for 145 as Australia completed a crushing 141-run win in the opening encounter of a five-match series.
The left-handed Hussey's 79-ball innings enabled Australia to recover from two chaotic run-outs which cost the wickets of two of the team's top four batsmen.
South African captain Graeme Smith made an attacking 52 and put on 74 off 72 balls for the second wicket with Herschelle Gibbs (33). But the South Africans lost their way against accurate bowling by medium-pacer James Hopes and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Hopes took two for 24 and Hauritz four for 29 as South Africa were bowled out with 16.5 overs remaining.
Australia's big win seemed a distant prospect when the tourists found themselves in trouble at 114 for four after Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and made first use of a good pitch.
David Hussey and Brad Haddin were run out in the space of nine balls, on both occasions after mix-ups which saw the dismissed player stranded at the wrong end of the pitch.
