Australia overcame another rough start against the new ball to post what felt like a formidable total on the prior evidence of this series in Cairns. Steven Smith, who will be a contender to be the new ODI captain, compiled a superb hundred and formed a century stand with Marnus Labuschagne.
Smith’s second fifty came off just 46 balls after he changed gears after batting much like a Test match in the first half of the innings. His 12th ODI century, the slowest of his career, came off 127 deliveries. In these six games against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, it was the first century that he had scored. Australia scored a total of 161 runs in its final 20 overs of play.
After winning the toss New Zealand decided to bowl first, Australia came on to bat with openers Josh Inglis and Finch, both of them were sent back to the pavilion early on and it was Steven Smith and Labuschagne who carried the innings for the Aussies. Labuschange scored 52 runs from 78 deliveries, and Smith scored 105 runs from 131 balls.
With six over left, Glenn Maxwell replaced him at number six after his innings was cut short when he misplayed Mitchell Santner’s delivery and was bowled. Before whipping Boult to deep square leg, he threatened to do something bad by sending Santner’s final ball into the stands for six.
Alex Carey also scored quick runs, where he scored unbeaten 42 runs from 43 balls. Trent Bolt bowled pretty well by picking up two crucial wickets of Maxwell and Josh Inglis. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Santner all three of them picked up one wicket each, restricting Australia to 267 for five wickets in 50 overs.
Now New Zealand will need 268 runs to win from 50 overs to win the third and the final ODI of the series.
