The Australians enjoyed a comfortable five wicket win over Middlesex in the last warm-up match before the on-day international series with 19 balls to spare. A thrilling century by Cameron White – his first at Lord’s – part of a 176 run fifth wicket partnership with Michael Hussey took the Australians to the brink of victory.

Hussey was unbeaten on 72 at the close. At 64 for 4 in the Australians’ reply Middlesex’s captain Adam Gilchrist fancied their chances, but knew not to get over-confident. “I saw Mike Hussey walking out,” he said. “It was a situation tailor-made for him. I’ve seen him do it too many times to get excited.”

He wasn’t wrong. ‘Mr Cricket’ was in excellent form with an unbeaten 72, but White was the undoubted star. The all-rounder had never hit a century at Lord’s previously. The weather and umpires threatened to keep that streak going, but White refused to be denied.

“It was just a bit of rain,” said White. “We didn’t want to go off.” It proved to be an inspired choice. With his team reeling at 51 for 3, his skipper Ricky Ponting seemed prepared to go off, but waited while White debated with the umpires, eventually persuading them to remain. The crowd appreciated his efforts.

51 for 3 turned into 64 for 4 as Tim Murtagh – the only successful Middlesex bowler – took the second of his three wickets. Ponting was trapped leg before wicket for 17. 176 runs later Lord’s rose to applaud White back to the pavilion after a magnificent century. He deserved to be there at the end, but it wasn’t to be. White departed for 106, caught by Newman – Murtagh’s third and last wicket.

White reached his century with a six – the best of his nine boundaries. The other eight were fours. It took him 114 balls to record his maiden hundred at headquarters. Tom Smith was the unfortunate bowler. He lasted another six balls, but only added three more.

Hussey’s share of the 136 ball century partnership was 46. He reached his half century with his fourth four shortly afterwards. White dominated the rest of the partnership. Hussey only made another 26 of the 113 scored.

Australia needed 44 to win with plenty of time to achieve it. Leg-spinner Steve Smith is a talent that should just be allowed to do what he does according to Gilchrist. He can bat a bit too. At the fall of White’s wicket Smith took over, outscoring Hussey – finishing unbeaten on 28 – but Mr Cricket  did his job admirably. The Australians’ batting order has strength in depth, but the bowling – Doug Bollinger apart – is another matter.

Best Defence:

Sussex claimed their second victory of the t20 season at Middlesex’s expense at Lord’s tonight by 28 runs. Skipper Michael Yardy delivered a man of the match performance to secure the win, 37 not out and 2 for 14 from his 14 overs, but Pakistani international Yasir Arafat contributed too.

The Panthers got a great start. A streaky edge by Luke Wright went to the third man boundary in Pedro Collins’ first over, but the former West Indies international had the last laugh as Wright played on for 4. Murray Goodwin was next out for 11, well caught by Owais Shah off Tim Murtagh and Collins grabbed his second wicket Chris Nash – Adam Gilchrist’s first victim for Middlesex – also for 4.

Returnee Ed Joyce, who recently announced that he wanted to play for Ireland again after his England plans never took off, looked reasonably well set, but was left stranded for 7 by Dwayne Smith who was not interested in a second run. Shaun Udal had previously benefited from a fine piece of fielding by Neil Dexter, saving two runs before claiming a wicket.

Joyce was not impressed as Dexter’s throw gave him no chance. At 33 for 4 the defending champions were in deep trouble, but Smith was determined to redeem himself. “In Twenty/20 cricket it’s always batsmen in the middle that can always hit the ball out of the park, so at 33 for 4 they’ve got guys like Dwayne Smith to come and I know what he's capable of,” said Collins. He was right. Smith helped to turn the match around.