Welcome to the highlights of Australia vs New Zealand - The 6th match of the 1997-98 Carlton & United Series triangular One-Day International cricket tournament between Australia and New Zealand was played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne on December 17, 1997.
Match Overview:
Paul Wilson's impressive debut three-wickets, Adam Dale's openers wickets, Michael Bevan's all-round display and A superb unbeaten half-century by Ricky Ponting helped Australia to a comfortable six-wicket victory over New Zealand, despite Chris Harris and Chris Cairns' fightback in a low-scoring sixth match of a Carlton and United Series.
Match Report:
Australia took an important step in their bid to reach the World Series limited overs final next month with an easy six-wicket win against New Zealand.
Middle order pair Ricky Ponting and Michael Bevan shared a fourth-wicket partnership worth 95 runs as Australia overhauled New Zealand's modest total of 141 all out with 11 overs to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Batting at number three, Ponting played in his normal aggressive style to score an unbeaten 60, while Bevan contributed a rapid 42 in a total of 142 for four in 38.5 overs.
At the half-way stage of the qualifying round, Australia lifted themselves within two points of competition leaders South Africa, who have six points from four games. New Zealand prop up the table with two points.
Ponting and Bevan calmed Australia's nerves after another top order collapse left them in trouble on 22 for three in the eighth over.
New Zealand pace bowler and all-rounder Chris Cairns gave the visitors brief cause for optimism by capturing all four Australian wickets to fall in an outstanding display.
Both Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh were dismissed cheaply by Cairns in the space of three deliveries, each edging a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Parore.
New Zealand's last realistic hope of victory disappeared when Parore missed a relatively easy chance to stump Bevan with his score on 27 in the 21st over.
Steve Waugh fell to Cairns for a duck, taking his tally of runs to just eight from four innings in the competition since he took over from Mark Taylor as Australia's one-day captain.
Australia's victory chase would have been even more straight forward but for a defiant unbeaten 62 in 118 balls from New Zealand all-rounder Chris Harris, who has yet to be dismissed in four innings in the competition.
But his side's hopes were effectively dashed when they slumped to a dismal 45 for six in the 14th over.
Fast bowler Paul Wilson took three wickets in a memorable debut in international cricket.
In-Depth Match Highlights:
New Zealand bundled out for 141 in 49.3 overs with top scorer by Chris Harris cracked a unbeaten 62 off 118-balls including two boundaries.
Nathan Astle struck 20 off 33-balls including a boundary and Daniel Vettori scored 14 off 32-balls contained a four.
Australia best bowler by Debutant Paul Wilson - who picked up 3-wickets for 39-runs in 10-overs on his debut ODI match - with economy rate of 3.90, Adam Dale, Michael Bevan both took 2-wickets and one for Shane Warne.
Australia chase down the target of 142, finishing at 142 for 4 in 38.5 overs with top scorer by Ricky Ponting cracked a unbeaten 60 off 92-balls including 4-fours.
Michael Bevan scored 42 off 83-balls and Adam Gilchrist scored a unbeaten 11 off 21-balls without a boundary.
New Zealand best bowler by Chris Cairns claimed a 4-wickets for 40-runs in 10-overs including three maidens.
Michael Bevan named Player of the match for his match-winning all-round performance to scored 42 off 83-balls including two boundaries after taking 2-wickets for 26-runs in 10-overs with economy rate of 2.60.
: