NZ vs AUS Match Highlights: To say the least, Australia’s victory was unconvincing! They didn’t win the way they wanted to, but they won the match in the end. Australia displayed their batting depth in a rather insipid performance to take the lead in this three-match ODI series.
After winning the toss Australia decided to bowl first, New Zealand came on to bat with positive intent but an early wicket of Martin Guptill caused problems for the New Zealand side, but later both Kane Williamson and Conway tried to build the innings as Williamson scored 45 runs from 71 balls and Conway scored 46 runs off 68 balls.
Latham also tried but like others, he failed to do so after scoring 43 runs from 57 balls, these three players contributed the most to the score, as New Zealand scored 239 for 9 in 50 overs. Maxwell was the stand-out bowler for the Aussies as he inflected the batting line-up with his spin bowling, he picked up four wickets in his 10 overs quota. Josh Hazlewood also picked up three wickets from his spell.
In response, Australia came out to bat and lost their openers early and no3,4,5 batsmen were also unable to score big, it certainly seemed that New Zealand would win but things changed when the depth of the Australian batting line-up was witnessed. Alex Carey and Cameron Green played pretty well, Alex scored 85 off 99 balls and Cameron scored 89 of 92 balls.
Trent Boult was crucial in outstanding Australian openers and middle-order batsmen as he picked up four wickets almost helping New Zealand win the match. Adam Zampa finished off the match by scoring the winning runs and thus Australia won the first ODI match by 2 wickets.
After the victory Australian skipper was slightly disappointed but was happy that his side won the match, in the post-match interview he stated that “The chase was a lot closer than it should have been, but credit to the boys for that partnership. It’s not ideal to be starting games like this, but that can happen when you’re against a player like Trent Boult.”
However, Cameron Green held his nerve and Adam Zampa proved to be no welterweight, as he played a few adventurous shots of his own to ensure Australia got over the line with five overs to spare. New Zealand will find it difficult to believe that they have let this slip, but can’t take anything away from Green and Carey’s partnership.”
Australia now has 100 points in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League 2020-2022/23, and if they win their next two games, they will be first, ahead of England.
