Goodwin and Hussey make light of tough run-chase

Murray Goodwin and Mike Hussey made a challenging run-chase seem easy as they guided Western Australia to a three-wicket ING Cup cricket victory over SA at Adelaide Oval today.

The pair, who have been in glittering form so far this season, guided the Warriors to 3-265 in 47.1 overs, after SA had set what looked to be a competitive target of 7-262 from its 50 overs.

Goodwin and Hussey came together with WA at 3-112 in the 28th over and needing to score at a rate nearing seven runs per over to win.

They managed it with ease, with an unbroken 153-run stand in just 121 balls.

Hussey top-scored with 84 from 74 balls, although he benefited from a dropped chance in the outfield by Paul Rofe, when he was on 30.

But Goodwin was the more impressive, notching 80 runs from 63 balls, with seven boundaries, in seemingly effortless fashion.

It continued the form he showed in scoring an unbeaten double-century in a Pura Cup match against NSW last week.

"Batting's going well, I keep telling the guys you're only as good as your next innings, but they say you're only as good as your last," Goodwin said

"Some days it comes off for you and other days it doesn't.

"It was really nice to bat with Mike and we usually bat pretty well together and fortunately we came up with the goods."

On the way, he notched the season's fastest 50 so far, from 38 balls, putting himself in pole position to win the $5,000 prize to be awarded to the scorer of the season's fastest 50.

Another former Zimbabwean batsman, South Australia's Andy Flower, claimed a $50,000 prize today when he hit an ING sign with a stylish swept six off WA part-timer Marcus North late in SA's innings.

Flower, in his first home match since joining the Redbacks this season, was impressive in his innings of 74 from 73 balls which helped rescue the Redbacks after a mid-innings slump.

Flower and youngster Mark Cosgrove (50 from 75 balls) put on a 107-run fifth-wicket stand from 121 balls to help SA to a solid total.

Flower said Hussey and Goodwin had been nearly unstoppable.

"We've played a few games against them now and Goodwin's come in each time as if he's on 70, he's hit the ball in the middle of the bat straight away, so it's good on them, I suppose and disappointing for us," he said.