Canberra: David Warner (119, 114b, 14×4, 1×6) slammed his sixth ODI century of the year to lead Australia to a crushing 116-run victory to reclaim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy against New Zealand at the Manuka Oval here Tuesday.
He propelled the Australians to an imposing 378 for five after being sent into bat and then the bowlers got into the act to dismiss the Black Caps for 262 off 47.2 overs.
New Zealand had to win here to keep alive their hopes of retaining the trophy after losing by 68 runs in the opening game in Sydney, Sunday.
Warner led the way in Australia’s third-highest ODI total and was well-supported by skipper Steve Smith (72, 76b, 6×4, 1×6), Travis Head (57, 32b, 6×4, 2×6) and Mitchell Marsh (76 n o, 40b, 2×4, 7×6).
The Black Caps had a go at Australia’s hefty total and were 177 for three when Jimmy Neesham (74, 83b, 7×4, 1×6) fell in the 31st over and ended a 125-run stand with skipper Kane Williamson (81, 80b, 5×4, 2×6). Five overs later Williamson fell and with his dismissal all hopes of the Kiwis vanished.
Williamson’s gamble to send the Australians into bat back-fired spectacularly, when the home side feasted on a perfect batting wicket.
The pugnacious Warner set the tone with his 10th ODI century off 101 balls to continue his outstanding form with the white ball. Only three other Australian batsmen have scored more hundreds in ODIs – Ricky Ponting (30), Mark Waugh (18) and Adam Gilchrist (16).
Warner was out to a low catch by Williamson at cover off medium-pacer Colin de Grandhomme in the 37th over, ending a 145-run partnership with Smith.
Head hit his second half century of the series before he was caught off Tim Southee. Marsh provided some late fireworks with some prodigious hitting including three consecutive sixes off Matt Henry in his lusty cameo.
The Black Caps lost both openers by the ninth over but Neesham and Williamson revived their hopes. But after Neesham was dismissed by Mitchell Starc (2/52), the Kiwis lost their last seven wickets for the addition of only 88 runs in a little over 17 overs.
Williamson was deceived by a Pat Cummins (4/41) slower ball and found Warner in the covers to leave the Black Caps 232 for six.
AFP