By IANS,
Chennai : Australia A romped home easily with an eight-wicket win over New Zealand A in the tri-series one-day tournament here Monday.
It was Australia’s second win in three outings and they also avenged their shock defeat at Hyderabad where the first round of matches were played last week.
The Australians, after losing opener Luke Ronchi in the second over, cruised to an easy win with David Hussey scoring a brilliant 78 in 56 balls and they achieved the target in just 24.5 overs at the Chepauk.
Hussey and opener Philip Hughes (37 not out) while putting on 112 runs in 18.4 overs for the second wicket, weathered some inspired bowling and fielding early in their innings before opening out with a flurry of shots.
By the time Hussey departed, caught attempting a big hit after slamming Jeetan Patel for two consecutive sixes, the Australians were virtually home. All rounder Cameron White then used the long handle to hasten the Kiwi demolition and the Aussies picked up five points.
Earlier, Australia’s comeback man Shaun Tait and Cameroon White wrecked the New Zealand A batting and bowled them out for 144 runs in 37.3 overs.
Opting to bat first, the New Zealanders struggled against some accurate bowling barring a brief spell when skipper Peter Fulton (65) and Grey Hey (56) added 97 runs for the third wicket.
All-rounder White, overlooked for the series against India next month, sent out a strong reminder by taking four wickets with his leg-breaks while fast bowler Tait, on a comeback trail, picked up three and left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty picked up two.
In the next match Wednesday, India A will take on Australia A.