Superior batting display by Australia A top order helped the team crush New Zealand A by eight wickets and set up a title clash with India A in the final of the tri-nation cricket tournament in Chennai on Monday.
Hosts India and Australia have tallied identical nine points each from three matches, while the Kiwis went out of reckoning having ended their engagements with just two points from four matches.
Thus, the fourth league match between India and Australia on Wednesday, after a day's rest tomorrow, has become inconsequential as both have already qualified for the final to be played on Friday.
Needing 145 to win in 50 overs, the Aussies coasted home in just 24.5 overs losing two wickets (Luke Ronchi-two and David Hussey-78) for full five points, including a bonus point.
Australia lost Rochi in the second over being caught by Neil Broom of Michael Mason. But the hard hitting Hussey and opener Philip Hughes adjusted to the situation and kept the Kiwi bowlers at bay. Hussey in particular was in a more aggressive mood as he along with Hughes helped the team to cross the 100 mark in 15 overs.
However, Hussey paid the price for being too aggressive and departed soon. He went in for a big hit off spinner Jeetan Patel after hitting the bowler for two consecutive sixes, but only managed to offer a straight forward catch in the deep to Mason.
Hussey added 102 runs in 18.4 overs with Hughes, who remained unbeaten on 37 (69b, 2x4), for the second wicket.
Hughes and Cameron White (not out 22, 23b, 4x4, 1x6) scored the remaining 27 runs between them to win the match and secure the final berth.
Earlier, electing to bat, New Zealand batsmen found the going tough as the Aussie bowlers showed accuracy and always maintained a good line and length.
Excepting Captain Peter Fulton, who collected the chunk of runs crediting himself with a fine 65 (72b, 3x4, 4x6). The only good patch of the Kiwi batting was a useful stand of 97 runs for the third wicket between Fulton and Grey Hey (36-75b, 3x4).
For Australia, all rounder Cameron White overlooked for the Indian (senior) series next month was in fine form, claiming 4 for 32 in 7.3 overs, while the comeback man Shaun Tait took two for 24.
Scorecard:
New Zealand A:
Aaron Redmond run out 0
Martin Guptil c North b Geeves 1
Peter Fulton c Hussey c White 65
Greg Hey b Tail 36
Grant Elliot c Ronchi b Doherty 12
Neil Broom c and b White 6
Reece Young c Hussey b Doherty 0
Bradely Scott c Bailey b Tail 3
Jeetan Patel lbw White 0
Mark Gillespie b White 6
Michael Mason (not out) 0
Extras: (lb-2, nb-1, w-12) 15
Total: (all out, 37.3 overs) 144
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-2, 3-99, 4-127, 5-127, 6-127, 7-138, 8-138, 9-138.
Bowling: Shasun Tait 8-3-24-3; Breet Geeves 8-0-37-1; Ashley Nofke 6-0-17-0; Xavier Dhoherty 8-0-32-2; Cameron White 7.3-0-32-4.
Australia A:
Philip Hughes not out 37
Luke Ronchi c Broom b Mason 2
David Hussey c Mason b Patel 78
Cameron White not out 22
Extras: (lb-1, nb-3, w-2) 6
Total: (for 2 wickets in 24.5 overs) 145
Fall of wickets: 1-16; 2-118.
Bowling: Mark Gillespie 7.5-0-49-0; Michael Mascon 5-0-24-1; Bradley Scott 3-0-19-0; Jeetan Patel 7-2-35-1 and Aaron Redmon 2-0-17-0.
