Southee looms as one-day trump card

Australia's cricketers knew Brendon McCullum was dangerous.

Now a more unlikely foe has emerged in Tim Southee, who suddenly looms as New Zealand's trump card in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series.

The trans-Tasman combatants flew to sun-drenched Napier yesterday after last night's 428-run Twenty20 epic, which New Zealand won in the eliminator over in Christchurch.

As far as promotions go for the one-day series opener at McLean Park tomorrow, New Zealand Cricket could barely have asked for more as questions remain about the 50-over game's popularity.

While McCullum's magnificent 56-ball knock of 116 not out earned the headlines, the 21-year-old farmer's son from Northland chimed in with a hugely influential support role.

Southee conceded six runs off his third over, then 11 off his fourth, the 20th of the innings which forced a tie. Australian captain Michael Clarke needed three to win off the final ball, but Southee restricted him to two.

Then he conceded a remarkable six runs in the "Super Over" and removed David Warner after skipper Daniel Vettori threw him the ball instead of Shane Bond.

Australian allrounder Cameron White, who took to Vettori and a struggling Jacob Oram in his unbeaten 64 off 26 balls, conceded he had little answer to Southee at the death.

"It felt like unbelievable bowling to be honest. He didn't miss too many yorkers and the pressure was on him as well. I thought it was amazing."

The tourists may have been caught unawares by Southee's accuracy, having faced him in the Chappell-Hadlee series last summer when he took three wickets at an average of 84.33 and an economy rate of 5.62.

Southee also had fresh memories of some Twenty20 carnage at the hands of India's batsmen last summer in Christchurch, but they were quickly forgotten.

"I try to keep things as simple as I can," he said yesterday.

"I backed myself to go straight to the yorker and I was lucky enough to get a couple out early, rather than chasing the over if you get hit for a boundary off the first couple of balls. It's always tough to come back.

"It gave me confidence, then I got into some momentum and rhythm of just bowling the yorkers. I was kind of surprised they didn't try a lap to try and put me off a bit and put the pressure back on."

Then came the "Super Over", and despite appearing to be having the time of his life, Southee said his knees were still shaking yesterday.

"I just thought `don't get hit for a boundary, and if you do make sure it's the only one for the over'. The ball that got Warner was a six or out ball and I was lucky enough to get away with it."

Southee said his yorker roll began in the domestic Twenty20 matches this season and it was something he always practised with two overs at the end of training.

He would put his hand up highest to bowl in the power plays during the one-day series.

"It's obviously given me a bit of confidence, but it is a one-off," he said. "It's happened, it was a great win, but now I've got to push forwards and back it up. To back it up would be pretty satisfying."

Both teams were to have their final training sessions today, with Australian captain Ricky Ponting joining the tour squad, while Scott Styris and Neil Broom bolster the hosts. NZPA

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