Haddin hits the sign but Warriors hit the target

Mike Hussey produced another Man-of-the-Match performance as Western Australia cruised to yet another one-day win, under lights at the WACA against New South Wales last night. WA are now almost certain to host a semi-final of the Mercantile Mutual Cup next month.

Earlier in the day, NSW keeper and opening batsman Brad Haddin collected AU$150,000 for the team fund when he straight drove the ball into a sponsor's sign for six - only the third time this has been since the promotion began in the early nineties. Tournament promoters claim that the ball hit the same dent that Steve Waugh put in the same sign when he collected $140,000 in 1995.

WA captain Justin Langer put the Blues in, and for a while NSW looked on target for a 280-300 score, but a steady stream of wickets saw NSW dismissed in the 48th over for 249, a total which they would have found disappointing.

Haddin again did well with 70 off 77 and Higgs constructed 40 off 42, but were the only ones to go on with their innings.

Another half century to Langer (53/70) set the tone as WA got off to a blistering start. Ryan Campbell again got out to an irresponsible shot, before Katich, Hussey and then Baker pushed the innings to the slightly reduced total. (243 - three overs were lost due to rain.)

That Hussey's 36-ball 50 (six fours & the fastest this season) was greeted with such surprise is a credit to the efficient way he accumulates runs.

In the end, it was a comfortable win to WA by six wickets with nearly two overs to spare.