NZ VS AUS ODI

Right then, Australia have clinched this ODI series along with 10 more World Cup Super League points. We have one more game to go in this series and New Zealand would be hoping to end on a high and salvage some pride in that game. It will be played on Sunday, 11th of September at the same venue, Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns. It will start at 9.50 am IST (4.20 am GMT). Join us early though for the bulid-up. Till then, it's goodbye and cheers!

Mitchell Starc is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round performance. He says that he feels he was too involved in the game for his liking as he would have like to see the batters do their job. Adds that it was still a very good win for the team. Claims that they knew that if they hung in there they would be able to get to a decent total. Mentions that they are a calm group and were clinical with the ball. Admits that the pitch was not easy to bat on as it was fairly slow and they bowled with discipline. Credits Sean Abbott for waiting in the wings and then coming out to bowl four maidens on the trot. Shares the credit with Adam Zampa for his fifer and Josh Hazlewood for doing Josh things.

Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand says that this was not the best effort with the bat from them and adds that Australia were brilliant and they did not apply themselves well. Says that the surface was tricky and it was not easy to chase this down and they tried to take the game deep. Tells that they need to apply themselves better and it was not the usual ODI wicket and they could have done better. Mentions that everyone has a mind of their own and makes their own decisions but they need to reflect on this loss and have some conversations. Says that there will be a new surface in the next game and they need to adjust to that surface quickly in the next game.

Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia says that it has been a tough outing, the first 40 overs were difficult and the tail-enders showed them how to bat. Admits that they hung in there and Starc did well at the end. Credits the bowlers for being outstanding. Adds that they bowled with a lot of discipline and it is a great win. Informs that the wicket became slower as the game progressed and as the scoreboard pressure builds, it gets difficult to score runs. Claims that Adam Zampa got the rewards but the game was set up before that. Adds that they needed to be impressive in the Poweplay and that was the best chance they had, to get ahead in the game. Says that the trick is to be positive  and regardless of the position they are in, they want to come out aggressive.

Time for the Presentation...

Adam Zampa is down for a quick chat. He says that he didn’t bowl at his best in this game but he is happy to get wickets and adds that it happens sometimes. Tells that they had a tough work with the bat and the guys bowled quite well with the new ball and tells that he was not sure about the dew. Signs off by saying that it feels good to wrap up the series and win against the number 1 side in the world.

Earlier, in the game it was the late charge by Australian tail-enders that took them to close to 200 after their top order crumbled yet again against the top-class bowling of Kiwis. Mitchell Starc who scored 38 runs had handy partnerships with Zampa and Josh Hazlewood and that gave some momentum to Australia going into the break. Also, let's not forget the 61 runs Steven Smith scored when Boult and company were going great guns. Boult was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets but he and rest of the New Zealand camp will be very disappointed with how they messed up the chase with the bat.

Well, Australia have done what we have been used to seeing them doing over the years. They are known for their fighting effort when chips are down and that is exactly what we saw in this game. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood showed great intensity with the new ball and Starc got a big wicket of Martin Guptill early which set the tone. Sean Abbott then was absolutely brilliant and took two wickets in his first over and bowled four maidens on trot to put New Zealand right on the back foot. Adam Zampa then joined the party and ended with a five-wicket haul to seal this game and series for Australia.

New Zealand would have been the happier side coming into the second half. However, the way they went about this chase was quite surprising to say the least. They lost Martin Guptill early and Conway and Tom Latham also could not last long. With three wickets down, the skipper Kane Williamson went completely in the shell. Daryl Mitchell at the other end also could not get going and after chewing up lot of deliveries, Kane Williamson departed at the score of 17 from 58 balls in which he played 47 dot balls. Once, he departed Daryl Mitchell also could not survive for long and they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and ended up falling short by 113 runs in a chase of 196 here. The problem for the Kiwis was the lack of self belief they showed after losing three early wickets and they surely are a better batting unit than they showed in this game. Let's hope they come back stronger.

Australia take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in this three-match ODI series! They have done that with another superb bowling effort. Have to say, the bowling effort in this match by the Aussies is right up with the best bowling performances we have seen in recent times. New Zealand have been waiting for 13 years for that ODI win against Australia in Australia and they will have to continue that waiting game as they have crumbled to another loss here.

OUT! LBW! It's all over! New Zealand have been bowled out for just 82! Adam Zampa flights an googly really full and pitching on off, Trent Boult looks to sweep this one but is early into the shot. The ball goes on to hit the pads. The Aussies think it is all over and after some contemplation the umpire finally raises his finger. Trent Boult decides to review this and why not? There is no inside edge as confirmed by Snicko and Ball Tracking shows umpire's call on wickets hitting as the ball is just clipping the leg stump. The onfield decision remains and Adam Zampa gets his amiden five-wicket haul in ODI's. What a performance this has been by the bowling unit of Australia.

Another full toss outside off, Trent Boult looks to whip this towards the leg side but gets a leading edge that falls short of the fielder at cover.

Adam Zampa gets this in line with the stumps on a fuller length, Trent Boult looks to make room and chips the ball over the infield on the off side for a couple of runs.

Adam Zampa bowls a googly turning down leg on a fuller length, Trent Boult is well across the stumps but misses his flick and the ball hits his pads. Another appeal but the umpire says not out.

Adam Zampa flights this full and just outside off, Trent Boult gets across the stumps and looks to sweep. Misses the ball as it goes on to rap the stumps. There is an appeal but the ball is clearly missing the off stump.

FOUR! Trent Boult is out there to have some fun! Adam Zampa bowls a low full toss outside off, Trent Boult charges down the wicket and slaps the ball to the right on mid on for a boundary.

This is full and outside off, Mitchell Santner taps the ball towards backward point.

This is slightly short and outside off, Mitchell Santner goes back in the crease and punches the ball towards cover.