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Key events
8th over: New Zealand 49-0 (Allen 28, Conway 21) Allen gets in on the act, driving Hazlewood down the ground for four. The tall bowler tries a short one and Allen swats it away with disdain for four more! A mis-field from Glenn Maxwell at long-on sees Allen pick up a couple… and another boundary to finish off, a wristy flick to the square leg fence sees 14 runs plundered off Hazlewood’s over.
7th over: New Zealand 35-0 (Allen 14, Conway 21) Cam Green replaces Starc and Conway piles into his first ball and dispatches through mid-wicket for four. Will they target Green? That seems to be the plan – Conway drives classically all along the carper for four more. Glorious. Eight off the over, decent start this by New Zealand, their best of the series.
6th over: New Zealand 27-0 (Allen 14, Conway 13) The parsimonious Hazlewood continues, his first ball is driven on the up by Allen and it just squirts to the fence as a result of a half stop in the covers. Hazlewood shuts down the rest of the over though, five successive dots frustrate Allen and keep New Zealand honest.
5th over: New Zealand 23-0 (Allen 10, Conway 13) There doesn’t seem to be much swing for the Aussie bowlers, and Starc would surely find some if it was there. Conway and Allen are timing the ball nicely but keep finding the fielder. Shot! Shot again! Conway immediately puts paid to that by sweetly timing two full balls on his pads away to the mid-wicket boundary. Eight off the over.
ICYMI: This was a nice touch earlier.
4th over: New Zealand 15-0 (Allen 10, Conway 5) Devon Conway is getting tied down and sucking up a few too many dots, Hazlewood is allowed to reel off his ‘binary solo’. Conway decides to charge him and manages to glide the ball past point for a single. Allen has no luck getting the miserly bowler away though so it is a solitary single off the over. “He’s put the clamps on” purrs Ian Smith.
3rd over: New Zealand 14-0 (Allen 10, Conway 4) Just a couple off the over, Allen nudges off his hip for two but can only block out the rest of Starc’s probing over.
2nd over: New Zealand 12-0 (Allen 8, Conway 4) Ian Smith calls Josh Hazlewood a “bowling robot” on the tv commentary, which raises a smirk. He suggests that New Zealand will have to upset him and not let him bowl his, well, robotic line. Allen duly top edges a pull over the keeper for four. A single brings Conway on strike and he is more watchful. The ball seems to be skidding on under lights on this fresh Cairns pitch.
Josh Hazlewood’s Robo Boogie
1st over: New Zealand 7-0 (Allen 3, Conway 4) Decent start for the visitors, Allen is away from the get-go with a clip off the first ball for a couple. A single to long-leg brings Conway on strike and he glances a wayward ball from Starc to the fence for the first boundary of the chase. Starc adjusts his line and finishes with three dots, including a beauty that fizzes past Conway’s edge.
Praise be, the TV has reverted to Cairns under lights and the players are taking to the field. New Zealand need 268 to win. Finn Allen and Devon Conway are opening up and Mitchell Starc has the gleaming white ball in his left paw. Let’s play!
Oh and please do get in touch and keep me company, any thoughts or theories are most welcome. Deets below.
Email James Wallace or tweet @Jimbo_Cricket)
Thanks Jonathan, top stint. Hello OBO -Jim here to call the Kiwi chase. I’m a few thousand miles away in sunny south London and my TV is currently showing a tribute to footballer Luca Modric, who would surely be a diminutive but dashing middle-order strokeplayer?
This was my favourite part of the Aussie innings:
Jonathan Howcroft
Australia would have taken 267 at the start of play after being invited to bat by Kane Williamson, and they would have only dreamt about such a total when they were 41-2 at the 17-over drinks break. That they reached such a healthy total was due to a gritty partnership between Steve Smith (105) and Marnus Labuschagne (52). It wasn’t pretty, and it didn’t begin with much intent, but it staunched the bleeding after two early wickets and gathered momentum as the innings wore on, setting up a late dash highlighted by Cameron Green’s 25 from just 12 balls.
While Smith’s typical busy, thoughtful knock deserves the headlines, it will be one of those two early wickets that will probably claim them. Aaron Finch, batting in his final ODI fell cheaply, opening his gate for Tim Southee to crash through.
Southee (1/57) bowled OK, but his new ball partner, Trent Boult, was outstanding, picking up 2/25 and dragging the contest the way of the Black Caps whenever he had the ball in his hands. The supporting cast were not so adept with Ferguson’s (1/56) extra pace proving a disadvantage on a pitch that began slow and tacky before speeding up as the innings wore on, and Neesham (0/65) failing to execute his variations.
James Wallace will be in the hot-seat for the run chase, so be sure to send him plenty of emails and keep him company in the far north Queensland evening. Thanks for joining me today and I’ll catch you here soon.
Australia 267-5
50th over: Australia 267-5 (Carey 42, Green 25) Neesham to bowl the final over and he begins well, restricting both Green and Carey to singles. Green, looking gigantic as the floodlights take effect in the evening then smashes a full toss for four then picks up a leg-stump half-volley for six. This has not been Neesham’s day. He retains his composure to keep Green to a single before a quickly-run couple to Carey brings the innings to a close.
49th over: Australia 252-5 (Carey 39, Green 13) Trent Boult finishes his ten overs with figures of 2/25 – what a performer. Nine from his final set of six, punctuated by one Green four. This has been an instructive knock for young Green. Twice he has failed to connect with premeditated scoops, twice he has followed up by belting stand-and-deliver boundaries.
48th over: Australia 243-5 (Carey 37, Green 7) Class from Carey to begin Southee’s final over, reverse sweeping a full delivery from around the wicket away for four. Class from Green to end the over, pulling flat and hard for six from a nothing delivery.
47th over: Australia 230-5 (Carey 31, Green 0) Six runs and a wicket from another superb Boult over. He has been exceptional today. Isn’t he always?
WICKET! Maxwell c Santner b Boult 14 (Australia 227-5)
New Zealand return to their premier performer, Trent Boult. He begins his ninth over with two singles then Maxwell slaps a hittable delivery on his pads straight to Santner in the deep. Big result for NZ.
46th over: Australia 224-4 (Carey 27, Maxwell 12) It’s at risk of unraveling for NZ now. There are overthrows following a direct hit on the stumps, four leg-byes, and Williamson fails to hold onto a very very tricky chance from a Maxwell moonshot. The skipper had the ball in his fingers but it just escaped his grasp as he landed.
“Hi Jonathan,” emails Steve Ditchburn, “if you were the Australian captain why would you not bring in Maxwell at 3rd wicket down? 30 Minutes of mayhem from him could increase the score immeasurably and if he gets out earlier what have you lost?” I completely agree. What amuses me with all-things Maxwell (of whom I am an enormous fan – he’d be my next captain) is that approaching 34 he remains a player yet to be figured out by selectors, captains, or pundits. Despite having the most prodigious talent. I would build my entire line-up around him.
45th over: Australia 214-4 (Carey 23, Maxwell 9) Brilliant. Maxwell begins with the ugliest looking reverse sweep, that was an LBW contender but for a tiny under-edge. It earns him two, then he exchanges the strike with Carey before casually smiting a six over cow corner like Tiger Woods drawing a mid-iron into a green. What a player.
WICKET! Smith b Santner 105 (Australia 203-4)
Santner ignores Waugh’s advice by clean bowling Steve Smith. The centurion walks off after a superb knock that came to an end when he stepped to leg and missed a quicker delivery trying to shovel a boundary over the covers.
44th over: Australia 203-3 (Smith 105, Carey 22) Freed from the pressure of crossing the milestone, Smith shimmys down the pitch and slaps Southee over extra cover for four. For some reason Mark Waugh on the telly then suggests Southee doesn’t want to get Smith out because the incoming Maxwell will be an even more fearsome proposition. There’s a book in Maxwell-related nonsense.
CENTURY! Smith 100 (127)
It’s been another masterclass from Steve Smith today who raises his bat for his 12th ODI century. He started slowly, understanding the conditions and the state of the game, and he’s since grown into his innings, setting up his team for a healthy total. Superb.
43rd over: Australia 193-3 (Smith 99, Carey 19) Another over begins with two dot balls. Smith gets the scoreboard moving again with a pitch for two then an easy single. Santner’s variations are proving hard to get away and Australia have to do without a boundary as Smith cruises to 99.
42nd over: Australia 188-3 (Smith 95, Carey 18) Smith is in full manic energy mode now, recognising his role in this contest. His blood pressure isn’t helped when Ferguson’s ninth over begins with two dots and two singles but his supreme focus is demonstrated with a perfectly executed fine pull for four. A century is his for the taking.
41st over: Australia 181-3 (Smith 89, Carey 17) How much can Australia pile on in the final ten overs?
Not a whole lot if Southee’s eighth over is any indication. Smith gets off strike early but then Carey soaks up a couple of dots before miscueing a massive slog that comes off the inside-edge and just misses his leg stump.
40th over: Australia 176-3 (Smith 85, Carey 16) Ferguson’s number comes up after Neesham’s travails and the speedster does well, keeping Smith to just three runs.
39th over: Australia 173-3 (Smith 82, Carey 16) Steve Smith is in the mood now. He steps to leg and carves Santner over extra-cover for a one-bounce four. Santner gets away with a wide full toss next delivery but he’s clearly rattled, as evidenced by a leg-side dart that Carey helps around the corner for two. Santner recovers well, changing his length to Carey and ending his over with three dots.
38th over: Australia 166-3 (Smith 77, Carey 14) Williamson is playing bowler roulette and the counter lands on Neesham. Smith welcomes the all-rounder to the crease with the day’s first six! Oh my – it was also a no-ball for a free-hit! The shot was an agricultural back-foot swipe high and over square leg from a length delivery outside off that just flew off the blade. Neesham does well to recover with a slower ball bouncer dot from the free-hit. The runs keep flowing though with Carey getting in on the act with his second effortless straight drive for four.
That free-hit, incidentally, was called by Steve Smith after the shot was played when he gestured dramatically to the square leg umpire that Williamson had fallen foul of the fielding restrictions. Maybe that was where the six-hit came from… Smith knowing he had a no-ball up his sleeve?
37th over: Australia 151-3 (Smith 69, Carey 8) Back to Santner, who perhaps could have been used more already, and he starts with a decent should for LBW against Carey. Some nice singles from both batters keep the scoreboard moving, before a chaotic end to the over features a wide and Smith slipping while mid-stroke but his lofted sweep lands safely towards square-leg.
36th over: Australia 142-3 (Smith 65, Carey 6) Ferguson starts his over well but Carey eases the pressure with a lovely punched drive straight back the bowler for four. That will do him the world of good and end yet another interminable conversation on commentary about how to use Glenn Maxwell. The Victorian is 34 next month and played his first ODI in 2012.
35th over: Australia 135-3 (Smith 63, Carey 1) Boult continues, perhaps surprisingly, and every delivery increases the pressure on Carey. Dot, dot, dot – with a nervy call for a sharp single that Smith declines, dot, dot, dot, maiden. Trent Boult now was 1/10 from eight overs. What a bowler.
34th over: Australia 135-3 (Smith 63, Carey 1) Carey off the mark straight away courtesy of a miss-field from Santner at midwicket. Important for the Australian wicket-keeper to keep pace with Smith at the other end, or rotate the strike to avoid getting bogged down on this surface that’s clearly difficult to time early in a knock.
WICKET! Labuschagne c Boult b Ferguson 52 (Australia 134-3)
And the drinks break works for New Zealand.
With such firepower in the sheds Australia have the platform to go for their shots and convert all their patience. Smith shows exactly that intent – again playing in the V – forcing Ferguson to the long-off boundary off the back foot. But when Labuschagne tries to pull a slower ball from outside off all he can do is toe a simple catch to mid-on. A tame end to a hard-working innings that has set his side up nicely.
33rd over: Australia 127-2 (Smith 58, Labuschagne 51) Here we go – Williamson is forced to recall Trent Boult. Six overs 1/7 off the top, but what can he do with a set partnership? Not a lot to begin with as Labuschagne forces the ball through the covers to bring up his 50. Two dots follow courtesy of some skillful bowling, the first short, drawing a forehand smash from Smith, the second full and fast. A couple more dots follow with the bowler lucky to get away with a leg-side bouncer, before finishing off his work with a length delivery played into the field. If only New Zealand had a couple more Trent Boults to call on.
Drinks.
32nd over: Australia 124-2 (Smith 58, Labuschagne 48) Smith has scored heavily straight down the pitch and for the fourth time today he finds the rope in front of the sight-screen with a beautifully timed on-drive off Neesham. Things are beginning to look ominous for the Kiwis as this pair ease the run-rate through the gears.
31st over: Australia 117-2 (Smith 54, Labuschagne 45) Smith brings up his half-century with the first reckless full-blooded shot of the day, lofting Southee over long-on – but it wasn’t well-timed and spent a long time in the air before landing and trickling over the rope. It signals the intent now in Australia’s game and how this pair at the crease recognise their ascendancy. The runs continue to flow and the century partnership is ticked off with a leg glance fine of the boundary rider. This is blossoming into something special for Smith and Labuschagne.
30th over: Australia 106-2 (Smith 44, Labuschagne 45) As expected Ferguson is pulled out of the attack and Neesham returns, but it doesn’t stop the runs flowing from that end with Smith timing a classical on-drive with a high elbow for the most handsome four of the day so far. Both batters are nearing half-centuries with New Zealand now the side searching for answers after being in total control of the opening hour.
29th over: Australia 98-2 (Smith 38, Labuschagne 43) Santner’s nice little spell is ended by the recall of Tim Southee. Australia are ready for him, pressing forward in the crease and looking to assert themselves in the V. Six singles are the result with Smith and Labuschagne looking increasingly at ease. The match feels very much like it hinges on the ability of this partnership to cash in after all their hard work.
28th over: Australia 92-2 (Smith 35, Labuschagne 40) After 62 deliveries Labuschagne has a boundary! It was a guide through the gully that Ferguson thought might have been catchable behind square, but instead it’s the first four in ten overs. And of course, one brings two, with a controlled outside edge that uses Ferguson’s pace. There’s a brief interlude to check a half-hearted appeal at point for a shot that was clearly a bump ball.
Williamson might need to put Ferguson away until the tail. He has been the only bowler Australia have been able to score off so far.
27th over: Australia 84-2 (Smith 35, Labuschagne 32) Chance! Ish… Santner bowls a beautiful over full of changes of pace and flight that goes for three, and it concludes with a leading edge from Smith that squirts just out of reach of the bowler’s dive to his left.
26th over: Australia 81-2 (Smith 34, Labuschagne 30) Williamson recognises the need to shake things up a bit and he recalls Ferguson to the attack. Australia look comfortable working a trio of dots but then a speedy yorker focuses Smith’s attention. That’s followed up with a wider slower ball that Smith does well not to chase too hard.
25th over: Australia 78-2 (Smith 33, Labuschagne 27) Santner is much loopier this over and it suits his height and the slow bounce of this pitch. Smith adjusts well though, glancing a neat two through the gully region in an over worth five.
At the halfway point honours are probably even with this partnership restoring parity after the Black Caps made such a hot start.
24th over: Australia 73-2 (Smith 30, Labuschagne 26) Labuschagne works Neesham for two wide of mid-on for the first delivery in an age that’s neither a one nor a dot. Six from another over with little jeopardy. The TV boys are talking about the NRL – not for the first time today. It’s been that kind of afternoon.
23rd over: Australia 67-2 (Smith 28, Labuschagne 22) Santner curtails Mitchell’s brief spell and his returning over has more singles than a night of speed dating. By that, I mean five singles. Which would be a pretty small speed dating event. Does speed dating even exist still? I’m trying to entertain myself here because the cricket is soporific. Can they just bring Finch back out and give us some narrative?
22nd over: Australia 62-2 (Smith 25, Labuschagne 20) A rare loose shot with Smith failing to connect with a back of the length Neesham delivery that just nipped back off the seam. The all-rounder continues to plug away at that length for a return of five dots and a single.
The middle-overs of a dead rubber, out of season, at a faraway ground on pay TV. This is not the stuff dreams are made of.
21st over: Australia 61-2 (Smith 24, Labuschagne 20) Mitchell’s changes of pace make him difficult to line up, and his awkwardness is magnified when Latham stands up the stumps. Australia collect four singles.
20th over: Australia 57-2 (Smith 22, Labuschagne 18) Five singles and a dot in the kind of over that – if you were playing on a computer game – you would simulate to save time. Neesham is struggling with his length a little.
19th over: Australia 52-2 (Smith 20, Labuschagne 15) Williamson continues to shuffle his pack with Daryl Mitchell coming into the attack to deliver more right-arm over seam-up variations. Three singles, three dots, very middle-overs areas.
18th over: Australia 49-2 (Smith 19, Labuschagne 13) Williamson recognises Ferguson’s pace suits Australia and calls on Jimmy Neesham’s heavy seamers instead. He starts brightly, and almost has Smith a couple of times with the slower pace. The first was almost a c&b but Smith’s forearm interrupted an inside-edge onto pad that threatened to loop back down the pitch. Then an attempted cut turns into a dragged inside-edge. After four deliveries of frustration Smith releases the tension with a muscular straight drive for four. A terrific forcing shot that induces an error from Neesham, who errs wide of off stump, and Smith caresses a glorious cover drive for back-to-back boundaries. This partnership is starting to gather momentum.
17th over: Australia 41-2 (Smith 11, Labuschagne 13) Australia are finally playing conventional modern ODI cricket. Labuschagne slaps another wristy slog sweep for two, then cuts through point for a single. Santner responds by sliding one low that almost traps Smith leg before, but he jams his bat down in time. Another single completes the over, heralding a drinks break.
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