Thanks to a brilliant bowling display, Australia registered a resounding 71 runs win over New Zealand in the first ODI of Chappell- Hadlee Trophy played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG on Friday.
Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a cautious start by Finch and Warner who struggled against Boult. After the initial struggle, Australian openers put pressure on the Kiwis bowling line up with aggressive stroke play. At the end of 10 overs, Australia were 51 for 0.
After the power play overs, Finch and Warner showed their positive intent which made New Zealand bowlers think. The explosive Warner reached his fifty off 69 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking along with Finch. Captain Finch joined in the party with a half-century off 55 balls. Lockie Ferguson produced the breakthrough dismissing Warner which hit the top edge and straight into hands of Ish Sodhi. Australian openers added 124 runs in 24.1 overs. It was a good bowling display by Kiwis bowlers who kept tight line and length not allowing Australian batsmen to score runs easily.
Mitchell Santer produced a beauty to dismiss Australian captain Aaron Finch for 60. Darcy Short struggled against the Kiwis bowlers not able to score runs easily. Santer struck again to get rid of Steve Smith. Ish Sodhi dismissed Darcy Short leading New Zealand to come back into the match.
Marnus Labuschagne impressed one and all with his stroke play taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries. Sodhi struck for New Zealand dismissing Mitchell Marsh for 27. Marsh and Labuschagne added 59 runs for the 5th wicket. In the same over, Sodhi dismissed Carey. Labuschagne played an important knock reaching his fifty off just 46 balls. He along with Pat Cummins added vital runs for the 7th wicket. Labuschagne was dismissed for well made 56 off 52 balls. Australia posted 258 for 7 at the end of 50 overs.
Chasing 259 runs to win, it was a slow start by Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls who looked over-cautious. Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood bowled a tight line and lengths not allowing Kiwis openers to score freely. Hazlewood struck to dismiss Nicholls. At the end of 10 overs, New Zealand was struggling at 28 for 1.
After the power play overs, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson tried to put pressure on Australian bowling line up but Australian bowlers made life tough for Kiwis batsman. Adam Zampa dismissed Kiwis captain Kane Williamson with a beauty. Cummins was superb with his line and length getting the wicket of dangerous Martin Guptill. Australia reduced New Zealand to 96 for 5.
Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme showed positive intent against the Australian bowlers which put them on the backfoot. After the drinks break, Hazlewood struck to get rid of Latham for 38. Latham and de Grandhomme added 51 runs for the 6th wicket. Adam Zampa dismissed de Grandhomme which ended Kiwis hopes of winning. Australia bowled out New Zealand for 187 in 41 overs to register 71 runs win.
Mitchell Marsh was awarded the man of the match for his good performances with the ball. Australia takes 1-0 lead in 3 match series. The 2nd ODI will be played on 15th March at Hobart.
Australia 258 for 7 in 50 overs (Warner 67, Finch 60, Sodhi 3/51, Santer 2/34) beat New Zealand 187 in 41 overs (Martin Guptill 40, Latham 38, Cummins 3/25, Marsh 3/29) by 71 runs.
