AUCKLAND, February 14: Underdogs New Zealand pulled off an unlikely victory over Australia at Auckland's Eden Park today to square their four-match one-day cricket series. Australia skipper Steve Waugh retired hurt when he damaged a hamstring in his left leg while batting, and the injury could cast a doubt on his fitness for Australia's tour of India starting next week.Having been sent to bat, New Zealand reached 223 for seven and then bowled Australia out for 193 in the final over.
Half centuries from man-of-the-match Chris Harris and Llorne Howell provided the substance to New Zealand's innings. Australia lost wickets with alarming regularity and when Steve Waugh tripped and hurt his hamstring as he tried to avoid Dion Nash while taking a turn, the writing was on the wall.
Kiwi swing bowler Simon Doull took a one-day career best figures of four for 25 in eight overs.
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand: Llorne Howell lbw Robertson 51, Nathan Astle c Robertson b Bichel 20, Adam Parore c Ponting bRobertson 32, Stephen Fleming c Gilchrist b Robertson 13, Craig McMillan b Lehmann 13, Chris Cairns c S Waugh b Bevan 2, Chris Harris run out 55, Dion Nash not out 31, Extras (w 5, nb 1) 6.
Total: 223
Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-85, 3-107, 4-120, 5-132, 6-134, 7-223
Bowling: Wilson 4-0-25-0 (nb 1), Dale 6-0-33-0, Bichel 7-0-33-1, Robertson 10-0-29-3, Waugh 2-0-11-0, Bevan 10-0-37-1 (w-1), Lehmann 9-0-37-1 (w 4), Law 2-0-18-0.
Australia: Adam Gilchrist c Parore b Nash 42, Mark Waugh lbw Doull 4, Ricky Ponting b Doull 10, David Lehmann c Astle b Priest 26, Steve Waugh c sub b Priest 23, Stuart Law c Fleming b McMillan 7, Michael Bevan c Nash b Doull 37, Andy Bichel c Cairns b Harris 21, Gavin Robertson c Nash b Doull 7, A Dale c Nash b Cairns 6, Paul Wilson not out 1. Extras: (w 4, nb 1, lb 4) 9.
Total: (49.1 overs) 193
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-48, 3-60, 4-105, 5-107, 6-147, 7-176, 8-183, 9-190.
Bowling: O'Connor 2-0-21-0, Cairns 9.1-0-32-1, Doull 8-1-25-4 (w 1), Nash 5-0-23-1 (nb 1), Priest10-0-31-2 (w 3), Harris 10-0-33-1, McMillan 3-0-14-1, Astle 2-0-10-0.
Waugh set to tour
Australia'S leading batsman Steve Waugh said he would be fit for the tour of India later this month despite suffering a hamstring injury in a mid-pitch collision today.
Australia departs for the three-Test tour of India on Friday. Waugh said he expected to be out of action for 10 days, and would be fit for the Tests.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
