When I took over from Jim after Australia’s innings, I was certain that the number one ranked ODI side in the world would chase down their target of 196. The Aussies did well to post that score after stumbling at 54-5 but Steve Smith’s 61 and fighting contributions of 38 not-out and 23 from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood gave Australia something to defend.
And din’t they just. Starc had Martin Guptill caught at slip in the first over and it went downhill from there for the Black Caps.
Sean Abbott bowled four maidens in a row as he finished with 2-1 from his five overs. Adam Zampa was then handed a freebie when Kane Williamson missed a looping full toss and was out lbw for 17 from 58 balls. Zampa then cleaned up the tail, ending with his first ever five-wicket haul in the format, with Starc and Bracwell picking up wickets as New Zealand stuttered along, eventually bowled out for 82, their second lowest score against Australia.
This one-sided match somehow felt even more uneven than the scorecard suggests. Not that I’m complaining. Was good fun being part of it.
Thanks for sticking with me. Catch you next time.
Updated
New Zealand 82 all-out, Australia win by 113 runs
Adam Zampa gets his first ever five wicket haul in ODI cricket as New Zealand slump to a humiliating defeat. The Aussie wrist spinner tosses it up to Boult who looks to send it over across the Tasman Sea. It skids on and plods into his pad. That’s plumb and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is staying this side of the ditch.
Updated
