NZ v AUS 3rd ODI Review: New Zealand grab the Chappell-Hadlee trophy after another thriller

In what was yet another thriller between the Trans-Tasman neighbors, New Zealand once again managed to keep a grip over their nerves to pull off a sensational victory. With this win, they managed to regain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy with a 2nil win over the Aussies.

The full house at Hamilton witnessed some spectacular performances from the Kiwi side. Earlier in the day, Kane Williamson won the toss as the hosts elected to bat first. While Tom Latham was dismissed cheaply, Dean Brownlie scored his first half century making a comeback in absence of Martin Guptill. Captain Kane Williamson once again got a good start but failed to capitalize onto it.

Not all was lost for the Black Caps as the senior most batsman in the team Ross Taylor’s presence at the crease meant that the runs came at a fluent pace. He went on to score a fantastic hundred and also equalled Nathan Astle’s record for most centuries for a New Zealand player. While the Kiwi side lost a flurry of wickets towards the end of the innings courtesy some smart death bowling by James Faulkner their limited-overs specialist.

Mitchell Santner put his pinch hitting skills on display as the hosts managed to put up 281/9 on the board in their quota of 50 overs. Mitchell Starc and Faulkner took 3 wickets each though they were quite expensive. Josh Hazelwood managed to keep the run flow in control up to some extent and scalped a couple of wickets.

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The visitors, on the other hand, began things in style. However, two wickets in the same over switched the momentum slightly towards New Zealand’s favour which they hardly let to slip. Aaron Finch and Travis Head scored half centuries to almost steer Australia out of trouble. But once they were dismissed in quick succession the Black Caps were back in the hunt.

Dual ducks for their hitters Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner towards the end didn’t contribute much to Australia’s cause as they were reduced to 198/7. However, a late charge from Starc and Pat Cummins kept the fight going and their hopes alive. To conclude things Trent Boult bowled a master spell and registered career-best bowling figures of 6/33. He ran through the lower half of the Australian batting order without much of a trouble as he proved too good to tackle for most of them.

In the end, Australia fell short of 24 runs from the target despite having 3 overs in hand. Boult was deservingly awarded the man of the match for his six-wicket haul. The series though a short one with a washout produced some exhilarating moments. From Stoinis efforts in the first game to the ferocious spell by Boult today, it came true to the expectations from a series between two equally matched sides.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand: 281/9 (Ross Taylor 107; Mitchell Starc 3/63, James Faulkner 3/59) 

Australia: 257 (Aaron Finch 56, Travis Head 53; Trent Boult 6/33)