GROS ISLET, (Reuters) – Magical Michael Hussey smashed three sixes in four balls to inspire Australia to a remarkable three-wicket win over holders Pakistan in the last over of yesterday’s Twenty20 World Cup semi-final in St Lucia.
Hussey hit six sixes in all to finish with an unbeaten 60 in just 24 deliveries as his team passed Pakistan’s 191 for six, the joint second highest score of this tournament, with a ball to spare to clinch a final meeting with England tomorrow.
It was one of the finest Twenty20 innings in one of the best games the format has produced.
Australia were in trouble at 62 for four in the ninth over but Cameron White blasted five sixes in his 43 off 31 balls to get his side back in the game.
When White went in the 17th over it still looked a long shot for Michael Clarke’s men, with 53 needed from 21 deliveries.
That was reduced to 34 off two overs and after the sensible Hussey collected two fours and four twos in the penultimate over, 18 was needed from six balls.
Mitchell Johnson wisely pushed a single off spinner Saeed Ajmal’s first delivery to give Hussey the strike and the left-hander responded with some astonishing batting.
He pulled a quicker short ball over mid-wicket for six and then blasted the next delivery way over long-on into the car park.
Hussey followed up by slashing a four backward of point to level the scores.
When Pakistan brought in the field in a bid to save a single the Australian simply launched the ball over long-on again, prompting his team mates to charge on the field to embrace him.
‘FREAK’ HUSSEY
“By the end I was just swinging through the ball there … it was probably one of the best innings of my life,” said Hussey after completing the biggest successful run chase in this year’s tournament.
“Hussey is an absolute freak,” said skipper Clarke at the presentation ceremony. “He and White played superbly.
“Once Cameron got out I thought it was going to be really tough but with Hussey in, you never know.”
Pakistan played superbly for 38 overs and looked all set to overturn the odds and reach the final again.
Brothers Kamran and Umar Akmal struck half-centuries as their side piled up an imposing 191 for six.
Kamran Akmal (50) and Salman Butt (32) put on 82 in 9.4 overs for the first wicket and then 19-year-old Umar Akmal produced a blistering knock, four sixes coming in his undefeated 56 from 35 balls.
Pakistan’s promising talent delivered with the ball as well with 18-year-old Mohammed Aamer taking three wickets.
Now Australia, holders of the 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy, have a chance to own all three international titles if they can beat old enemy England in Barbados.
“England are playing some great cricket so it’s going to be a fantastic final,” said Clarke.
