Australia v New Zealand, 3rd ODI - 5 Talking Points

The last ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2016 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground once again went the visitors’ way as Australia having won the toss decided to bat first, powered by David Warner’s amazing century managed to post 264 runs on a wicket that had certain assistance for the bowlers.

New Zealand in their response were never in the chase, all the Australian bowlers including part-timer Travis Head (2) picked wickets and with batsmen walking back to the pavilion at regular intervals, the visitors were floored for 147 in just 36.1 overs. With that Australia took the series 3-0 and made a strong statement after having conceded the series 5-0 to South Africa.

1. David Warner’s knock

David Warner carried on from where he left in the last game. He once again lost his partner Aaron Finch early but that didn’t bother him. In fact, he constantly kept losing batting partners but in such a situation decided to focus harder on his game and while no one else even managed a half century in the match from either teams Warner scored a brilliant century. He got out last time after the hundred but here he was determined to carry on. Just when it looked like he would carry his bat the opener was run out on the last ball having scored 156 runs from 128 balls aided by 13 fours and 4 sixes.

He got out last time after the hundred but here he was determined to carry on. Just when it looked like he would carry his bat the opener was run out on the last ball having scored 156 runs from 128 balls aided by 13 fours and 4 sixes.

2. Batting failure

Barring Warner the Australian top as well as middle order actually failed. Though the result would depict a comprehensive victory for the hosts it is something they should be thinking about. Aaron Finch was out cheap yet again, he was the first to be dismissed on the individual score of 3, skipper Steve Smith who had scored a century and a half in the first two matches walked back with a duck this time.

Though George Bailey stayed longer he didn’t serve the purpose with his 23. Mitchell Marsh who had played a splendid knock in the last match also managed a duck. The top 4 except David Warner contributed just 73 runs to the team total. Trent Boult inflicted serious damage with 3 wickets while Mitchell Santner and Colin Grandhomme shared a couple each; three batsmen were run out.

3. Head-Warner partnership

If one man has grown in stature and has benefitted the most from this series it has to be Travis Head. He was given an extended rope when picked for the first ODI, he delivered and responded with a half century. Head reflected a similar effect in the following match and today when the top order had failed he stood firm by Warner and lend support to the batting lineup that looked fragile until then. His 37 was an uncharacteristic knock, understanding the gravity of the situation he curbed his natural instinct of playing the big shots and let Warner row the boat. They had a crucial 105-run partnership for the 5th wicket that anchored the Australian inning.

His 37 was an uncharacteristic knock, understanding the gravity of the situation he curbed his natural instinct of playing the big shots and let Warner row the boat. They had a crucial 105-run partnership for the 5th wicket that anchored the Australian inning.

4. Solid response by the Australian bowlers

They didn’t have the luxury of a 300+ total this time but the Australian bowlers were on the money from the onset. On a surface where most of their batsmen struggled Mitchell Starc & Co. made sure the Kiwis weren’t given easy runs either.

Though New Zealand had a good start in a moderate chase, the bowlers came back well to dismiss the top order and then absolutely ran through the middle and lower order to win the game for their team by a huge 117-run margin. Starc was the pick of the bowlers on the day with figures of 10-3-34-3. Among the other bowlers Pat Cummins, James Faulkner and Head shared a couple of wickets each while Josh Hazlewood settled with one.

Martin Guptill who scored 34 was the best batsman for the Black Caps today as only two batsmen managed to score more than 20 runs.

5. Australia claim the series 3-0

Australia were jittery coming into the series, they had lost the last ODI series they featured in 5-0, the biggest margin of defeat for them in a long time. The Proteas made matters worse beating them yet again, this time at home and in a Test series. There were a few snips and changes made in the team, the senior players were conveyed their responsibility and a better performance was expected.

Steve Smith & Co. played with a lot more intensity in this series and the results were evident, they won the first ODI, took that confidence into the second and despite their batting not clicking in the third ODI the margin of their win was enough evidence to depict how well they have played in the series.

This will give the young team a lot of confidence and will act as soothe and heal some wounds they have sustained in the last couple of months.