Australia v New Zealand 2nd ODI review: David Warner helps hosts take an incontestable lead

David Warner’s feisty century combined by a sensible fifty the skipper Steven Smith topped with spicy knocks from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh served as the recipe for victory for Australia today. These four men proved to be more than enough to thump New Zealand and clinch their second successive ODI victory.

In what can be called as a decisive match of the three match series, the Black Caps entered the contest in a must win situation. A resurrection in performances was expected from them after losing the series opener in a slightly one-sided manner. However, regardless of what intent the vistors had, the hosts made sure they did not give an inch to their opposition and took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three match series.

After the toss was delayed by more than half an hour due to light drizzle at Canberra, Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson chose to bat perhaps thinking the overcast conditions would suit his bowling attack. Needing to win to keep the series alive, Zealand dropped Lockie Ferguson after his debut Sydney and decided to bring in the experienced swing bowler Tim Southee.

But, Williamson’s assumption and change was not going to help his team get off to a good start as opener David Warner milked runs with ease, giving a smooth start to the game. he opted to deal in only in boundaries once play got underway at and added 68 with Aaron Finch for the first wicket. But, Finch, who put behind his golden duck in the previous game and was able to get a start soon lost his wicket for 19 to left arm spinner Mitchell Santner in the 12th over.

The momentum was set, however. Warner then got his skipper Steven Smith for company and duo boosted Australia’s run rate in more dominant manner. The pair kept the audience entertained and the opposition frustrated with crisp drives and busy running singles and doubles. New Zealand bowlers had very little margin of error and the fumbles on the field helped their cause in the least possible way.

It was all about being effortless as Warner brought up his sixth ODI century of the year. Smith, who had a painful hit between the legs, also followed him to complete his 15th ODI fifty and eventually ended up putting up 145 for the 3rd wicket before the duo departed in short succession with Warner being the to walk back to the pavilion in the 37th over off De Grandhomme’s bowling.

Exactly an over later, Smith gave away his wicket to Southee as the Kiwis celebrated a double delight. However, the back to back to wickets, in fact, proved to be blessing as it brought the attacking  Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh to the crease who punished New Zealand further. While Head cracked a 32 ball 57 and registered his third fifty, Mitchell Marsh’s contributed with an unbeaten 76 not out off 40 balls. Their efforts completely flattened the visitors and took Australia to 378 for 5.

Steve Smith’s century in the previous game saw Martin Guptill come up with a reply. But, unfortunately, this chase did not have any such knocks from the New Zealand side. The only men who came close to replicating Australia’s batting effort were Kane Williamson (81 from 80 balls) and Jimmy Neesham (74 from 83 balls) as the visitors in response could manage only 262 all out. The Australian fast bowling unit featuring Mitchell Starc (2/52), Josh Hazlewood (2/42), Pat Cummins (4/41) and James Faulkner (2/69) was in its natural form and shared all the 10 wickets between them.

New Zealand could never find the rhythm to get to the massive target. After a manageable start, The Black Caps mellowed down too much in order to stabilise the innings and built pressure around them which eventually saw them lose wickets without any resistance.

Opener Tom Latham failed again and departed for just 4 after consuming 12 balls. Guptill, however, looked to have picked the rhythm from where he left in Sydney and did most of the scoring at the start, taking his team past the 50 run mark. But, Cummins ensured he would not become a threat after chipping in wicket in the 9th over.

Williamson and Neesham then put up the only respectable stand during the chase. The duo’s 125 runs contribution for the 3rd wicket kept the hopes alive but they could not turn the game in their team’s favour. Regardless, of it, the credit goes to them for making the Aussies at least work hard during the middle overs. The constant hustle between the wickets and occasional boundaries kept the required run rate from jumping too high.

But, the 31st over saw Josh Hazelwood breakthrough with Neesham’s wicket and clear Australia’s path to victory. None of the middle order batsmen could survive and survive to support Williamson who was removed by pat Cummins 8.1 overs after Neesham’s fall. Starc swung into action and picked two wickets that of Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner. Cummins snapped Southee and Henry and added two more wickets to his tally. The struggle came to an end when Faulkner did the final honours with the wicket of BJ Watling.

Brief Score:

Australia: 378/5 (David Warner 119; Tim Southee 2/63)

New Zealand: 262 (Kane Williamson 81; Pat Cummins 4/41)

Man of the Match: David Warner