Michael Hussey did a redemption act after a woeful Test series as he struck an unbeaten half century (53) to lead Australia to a six-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 International against South Africa in Brisbane on Tuesday.
In the match played in the backdrop of Australian opener Matthew Hayden's retirement, Hussey shared two crucial 50-plus stands -- 61 with captain Ricky Ponting for the third wicket and 69 with Cameron White (40) for the unbroken fifth wicket -- to guide his side to a comfortable win after South Africa had scored 157 for five largely revolving around J P Duminy's unbeaten 69.
The home side were off to a shaky start with the two openers gone for 29, but after that the Australians were never in trouble.
Ponting contributed a useful 31-ball 38 and though there was a bit of hiccup when David Hussey was out for 2-ball two, Hussey and White took the home side to 161 for four with seven balls to spare.
The packed 40,000 crowd at the Gabba, who gave a standing ovation to Hayden when he ran a lap of honour during the innings break, later saw a lot of stunning hits in the 69-run stand for the fourth wicket between Hussey and White in just 5.5 overs, though the duo each enjoyed reprieves from the South African fielders.
{{/usCountry}}The packed 40,000 crowd at the Gabba, who gave a standing ovation to Hayden when he ran a lap of honour during the innings break, later saw a lot of stunning hits in the 69-run stand for the fourth wicket between Hussey and White in just 5.5 overs, though the duo each enjoyed reprieves from the South African fielders.
{{/usCountry}}Hussey, who scored 85 runs from six innings including two ducks in the Test series, faced 33 balls from his unbeaten 53 with three fours and a six while White played a cameo of 18-ball unbeaten 40 which included five fours and one six.
White, who hit four successive fours off Wayne Parnell in the 17th over to virtually seal victory for his side, ended the match in style with a six off Morne Morkel.
Australia had won the first Twenty20 match in Melbourne by 52 runs.