Australia v New Zealand, 1st ODI Review: Hosts kick off the series with a comfortable win

Steve Smith blasted the highest individual ODI score at the Sydney Cricket Ground to lift his team to a fabulous 68 run win over New Zealand and give a morale-boosting start to the three-match ODI series. Powered by the record-breaking knock of skipper Smith, Australia piled 324/8 batting first and later restricted New Zealand for 256/ all out in 44.2 overs.

Opener Martin Guptill tried emulating Smith’s batting effort during the chase and was largely successful too as he also went on to register his 12th ODI century. But, unfortunately, the Blackcaps could not capitalise on his contribution and eventually failed to chase down the target. The win certainly would give a soothing effect to the Australian fans who recently witnessed a crushing Test defeat.

It was Steven Smith’s day, to be honest. He dominated with the bat completely and smashed 164 from 157 balls to eclipse the previous high score at the SCG by South African AB de Villiers, who plundered 162 against West Indies during the 2015 World Cup. The wonderful knock also made the 27-year-old equalled Ricky Ponting’s record of the best ODI score by an Australian captain who also made 164 against South Africa in 2006 during the remarkable high scoring game at Johannesburg.

After selecting to bat first, Smith had to come out one man down pretty early after opener Aaron Finch was clean up for a golden duck off just the third ball of the innings. The unorthodox right-hander then gave a glimpse of his form when he hit his third ball to the fence off Matt Henry. He carried the innings on his shoulder and occupied the crease till the 48th over of the match, hitting 14 boundaries and 4 hits over the fence.

Another great aspect of his knock was the manner in which he paced his innings. His first fifty came in 70 balls and the next fifty took just 18 deliveries. Shortly after stabilising the innings at the start, Smith suddenly began losing partners with Warner being the first to depart in the 10th over followed by Bailey, who batting in his awkward stance, could not go further than 17 runs.

Frustration crept in a bit when Mitchell Marsh was run at the non-strikers’ end almost just 6 balls after Bailey’s departure.  But Travis Head did not disappoint and merged with his skipper to put on 127 runs for the 5th wicket. The stand was a match-defining one as it not only saw both the batsmen play extraordinary strokes but also set the platform for a huge total.

Smith enjoyed a great deal of luck also. He was dropped down the leg-side by wicketkeeper BJ Watling when on when on 13 and later survived an lbw appeal from Trent Boult which seemed to be in favour of the Kiwis in the replays. Fortunately, for Australia, New Zealand did not opt for a review. He went on to reach his seventh ODI hundred and later, survived one more chance when he was dropped again on 152 – by Colin de Grandhomme at square leg.

With the final overs approaching Smith tried accelerating the inning further but eventually lost his wicket in the 48th when Boult got him off a leading edge by Colin Munro. While all these happened from Smith’s end, wicket keeper batsman Mathew Wade also struck a quick 22 ball 38 runs. Mitchell Starc also pumped 11 runs from just 5 balls to take Australia to 324/8.

The Black Caps had a horrible start to the chase as Josh Hazelwood got rid of opener Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson for cheap scores and push the visitors on the wall. After the early setbacks, Guptill took charge of the proceedings and accelerated the innings. As a support, he had Jimmy Neesham, who hit 34 in the 92 runs stand for the 3rd wicket.

Starc brought the important breakthrough in the 22nd wicket with the wicket of Neesham and broke through for Australia. The free flowing Guptill, however, did not run out of support as Colin Munro then joined him after BJ Watling was dismissed in a superman- like fashion by Steven Smith who took an incredible grab off Marsh’s bowling.

Munro and Guptill kept the chase alive, adding 45 runs for the 5th wicket before leg-spinner Adam Zampa delivered the biggest blow to the Black Caps in the form of Guptill. The match, which looked like was heading towards becoming a closely fought game, began tilting in the favour of the hosts from thereon. Zampa struck again with the scalp of Santner while Colin de Grandhomme lost his wicket to Hazlewood.

Munro and Matt Henry kept the hopes alive but their efforts were not going to be enough eventually as Pat Cummins delivered a double blow, removing both Henry and Munro in the 44th over. Three balls after Munro’s departure, Australia pocketed the last wicket and returned with a highly satisfying win.

Brief Score:

Australia: 324/8 (Steven Smith 164; Trent Boult 2/51)

New Zealand: 256 in 44.2 overs (Martin Guptill 114; Josh Hazlewood 3/49)

Player of the match: Steven Smith