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Marshall lifts Kiwis to emotional win
Marshall completed his eighth half-century to lead New Zealand to a hard-fought win over Australia in the opening Chappell-Hadlee ODI in Melbourne.
Hamish Marshall scored an unbeaten 50 to lead New Zealand to an emotional four-wicket win over Australia with two balls to spare in the first match of the inaugural Chappell-Hadlee one-day series on Sunday.
Beige-shirted Kiwi fans celebrated loudly in the crowd of 30,753 as the world champions looked on stunned when wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum (20 not out) hit the winning run and raised his arms in triumph.
Earlier New Zealand bowlers Daniel Vettori and Chris Cairns took three wickets apiece to limit Australia to 246 for nine in their 50 overs.
The Black Caps replied with 247 for six in 49.4 overs after Nathan Astle (70) and Mathew Sinclair (48) put on 128 runs for the second wicket.
New Zealand lost three wickets for 12 runs to slump to 140 for four and found the target daunting despite some late hitting from Jacob Oram (24) and Chris Cairns (14).
However Marshall and McCullum plundered 22 from the 48th over of the innings to put the Kiwis back in the game at 237 for six with 12 balls left.
Left-arm spinner Vettori took three for 31 as the Australian middle order initially struggled to build on the platform provided by opener Adam Gilchrist's blazing 68 from 54 balls.
Darren Lehmann made 50 from 73 balls, combining with Michael Clarke (36) to provide some stability with a 71-run stand for the sixth wicket.
The second game of the three-match series is in Sydney on December 8 with the final contest in Brisbane two days later.
