In Short
Australia has reclaimed the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a commanding 116 run victory in the second ODI at Canberra on Tuesday.
Once again it was set up by a dominant batting display as David Warner (119), Mitchell Marsh (76) and Steve Smith (72) belted the hosts to their fourth highest One Day total of 378.
The BLACKCAPS fought bravely in reply with Kane Williamson (81) and Jimmy Neesham (74) posting half centuries, but the pressure of the growing required run rate ultimately proved too much with the innings closed at 262 all out in the 48th over.
New Zealand Xl: Guptill, Latham, Williamson (c), Neesham, Munro, Watling (wk), Santner, de Grandhomme, Henry, Southee, Boult
Australia Xl: Warner, Finch, Smith (c), Bailey, Marsh, Head, Wade (wk), Faulkner, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood
Laying the foundations
After a slight rain delay, Australia began their innings with an aggressive mindset and through David Warner and Aaron Finch, took the early momentum. Reaching 50 without loss inside the opening power-play isn’t exceptionally quick, but with 10 wickets in the bank they had laid a platform for Australia to launch from - and launch they did.
Warner gallops and jumps
Warner was clinical during his 115 ball stay in the middle, structuring his innings expertly and putting the BLACKCAPS bowlers under pressure. Following 14 fours and a six, he earned himself the right to perform the all to familiar Warner jump, pumping his fists as he raised his 10th ODI ton and third in his last five innings.
A moment of Williamson magic
With the lethal pair of Warner and Smith in full-flow, it took a wonderful catch from Kane Williamson to break the partnership. Fielding at cover, Williamson dived low to his right with two hands to snare a well-struck Warner slap, bringing to an end the opener’s incredible knock. Truth be told, it was a rare bright spot in the first-innings.
Salt in the wound
With Australia 192-1 at the second drinks break (33rd over), things were clearly ominous for the BLACKCAPS. Unfortunately this tale doesn’t get any better, with Smith (72), Travis Head (57) and Mitchell Marsh (76*) all contributing devastating cameos enroute to a colossal Australian total. Marsh in particular was brutal on any length deliveries, smashing seven sixes including three in the final over as 126 runs came from the final 10 overs to see Australia finish on their highest ever total at the Manuka Oval.
Guptill goes again
Coming off the back of 114 in the opening ODI, Martin Guptill is undoubtedly in pretty good touch. He once again showed his prowess at striking a cricket ball, helping the BLACKCAPS to 50 off just 6.3 overs. While his 45 off 33 was just the start the visitor’s needed, he wasn’t able to sustain it, falling to a cracking delivery from Pat Cummins.
Knuckling down
Jimmy Neesham and Williamson were up against it - only nine overs in, needing upwards of eight an over, with their centurion from last match back in the shed. The duo were determined to take the game deep though, putting on 125 for the third wicket, before Neesham was dismissed while desperately hunting the boundary.
Clinging to hope
While wickets began to fall around him and the required run rate hit more than two a ball the BLACKCAPS captain never gave up the good fight. He flicked, dabbed, pulled and slapped the ball all around the wicket to keep any slim hope alive. He finished 82 off 81 deliveries in a lovely knock that sadly was not enough.
Sun sets for the trophy
Full credit to the Aussies - they thoroughly deserved to win back the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. They had one hand on the trophy after blasting their way to 378 and they backed it up with the ball, withstanding some Kiwi fight in the middle. Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4-41.
