Aussies in second Twenty20 win

MICHAEL Hussey regained his self-belief as he steered Australia to victory by six wickets in the second twenty20 international at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday.

Hussey scored 53 not out off 33 balls, with five fours and a six, and, helped by one of the most spectacular closing innings by Cameron White, Australia made their target of 158 with seven balls to spare.
The left-handed Hussey batted beautifully after surviving a sharp stumping catch off Johan Botha and JP Duminy, who had earlier taken a marvellous outfield catch also dropped White at a crucial stage of the innings.
Hussey and White were under pressure with Australia needing 58 runs off the last six overs, but the inexperienced Wayne Parnell, whose performances in senior domestic cricket do not justify his inclusion, was the weak link in the attack, his last two overs costing 35 runs.
The miserly Botha repaired some of the damage by conceding just six runs in the 16th over, but Parnell’s next over cost 19 as Australia went from needing 36 in four overs to requiring less than a run-a-ball.
If only the brilliant Duminy, who once again fought a lone crusade with his determined 69 not out off 41 balls, had had more support South Africa may have posted a more competitive total after winning the toss and batting first on a pacy pitch.
Openers Herschelle Gibbs and Hashim Amla, after the top-order collapse in the first game, allowed Australia to own the first five overs, reaching 34 without loss. But any delusions that it was a good start were quickly dispelled as three wickets fell for six runs in ten balls.
Having scored just six off 12 deliveries, Gibbs decided it was time to go big and promptly top-edged a sweep off Hopes to Michael Hussey at deep square-leg. Amla then tried to pull Ben Hilfenhaus and was caught at wide mid-on for a run-a-ball 26.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld would then go first ball as he missed a sweep at off-spinner David Hussey and was trapped leg-before.
Mark Boucher scored 19, but at no more than a run-a-ball, before Hopes returned to end his innings and Albie Morkel also scored 19, off 13 deliveries, when Nathan Bracken had him caught with the first ball of his second spell. – Supersport