Haddin's maiden hundred puts Aussies on top
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

Scorecard:Australia v New Zealand
Player:MEK Hussey, MJ Clarke, A Symonds, BJ Haddin, IE O'Brien, DL Vettori
Event:New Zealand in Australia 2008/09
DateLine: 30th November 2008

 

A brilliant 169 by Brad Haddin ensured that Aussies ended day 3 on a strong note. Australia were all out for 535 with an overall first innings lead of 265. New Zealand ended day 3 at 35 without loss still 230 runs behind.

But the day totally belonged to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. His maiden test hundred totally overshadowed the 10th test hundred of Michael Clarke. In fact it was the third consecutive hundred for Clarke at the Adelaide Oval.Brad Haddin arrived at the crease when Australia were struggling at 247 for 5.

Earlier in the day Australia resuming at their overnight score of 241 for 3, lost 2 quick wickets in one over. Hussey was out to a misguided pull and Symonds who just last year benefited from a dubious decision at Sydney against India and went on to get a hundred, was at the receiving end this time around and was given out caught behind. Life has come a full circle for Symonds.The last thing he would have wanted after all the controversies was to get a rough decision on nought.

The test as like the first one was evenly balanced. But in walked Haddin and along with Clarke set to rebuild the Aussie innings.Haddin was extremely aggressive and made sure that Clarke could take his own time. Clarke soon became the anchor and Haddin showed positive foot work both aginst the spinners and the quicks.They were extremely harsh on the leggie Redmond and the quicks. The only bowler who got some respect was Vettori.

Haddin made sure with his aggressive strokeplay to get to his maiden hundred immediately after Clarke goy his 10th. Haddin survived some chances when he was dropped on 72 and was given not out when he had clearly edged one after reaching his hundred. Their partnership was brought to an end when Clarke was caught by Ryder off O'Brien. But Haddin went on building partnerships with Lee and Johnson and was finally out for his highest first class score of 169. Australia were finally bowled out for 535 with an overall lead of 265.New Zealand went into stumps at 35 without loss.

It was coming of age for the wicket-keeper batsman who had a tough tour of India. Stepping into the shoes of a once in a generation player like Adam Gilchrist is never easy. But Haddin with this innings has definitely found a permanent place in the Aussie side. And the ovation he got after the day finished summed it up. He made sure that Australia recovered from a crisis to get a substantial lead and force a win tomorrow and thereby win the series.