In Short
Australia once again proved to good for the BLACKCAPS.
After posting 265, the hosts showed their class with the ball as they ran through Kane Williamson's men, dismissing them for 147 in the 37th over.
David Warner was named player of the match and series after his 156 and Mitchell Starc claimed three big wickets in the middle to put the BLACKCAPS down after a promising start to their chase.
Early news
Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat while fielding an unchanged Xl. The BLACKCAPS made two changes with Henry Nicholls replacing the injured (arm) Jimmy Neesham, while Lockie Ferguson returned to the side in place of Matt Henry.
Boult gets us going
Trent Boult did the early damage for the BLACKCAPS. With the help of Henry Nicholls at square leg he accounted for Aaron Finch and in form Australian captain Steve Smith for a duck in his first two overs. The wicket of Smith would have been particularly satisfying. The BLACKCAPS had two catches in front of the wicket on the leg side and Nicholls was also waiting behind square in a catching position. Boult bowled around the wicket and Smith flicked it around the corner to Nicholls and bingo-bongo! Love it when a plan comes together.
CDG double
Claimed two wickets in three balls in the 19th over as George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh departed meekly. Did his job with the ball and got through his 10 overs through the middle conceding 50 runs. Workman like. Handy.
Beware the bull
Was all class yet again. Batted the entire innings for his 156 off 128, only to be run out by Trent Boult on the final ball of the innings. If it wasn't for Warner the BLACKCAPS would have fancied themselves to run through the hosts. They had them 73-4, but Warner waged a one man war from start to finish. Clearly the difference in this match.
A good start
The boys got the chase off to a good start, as openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill put on 44 in good time. The ball was coming onto the bat nicely and despite a bit of invariable bounce things were going well. Latham would be the first to go for 28 as he flicked Pat Cummins to square leg.
Big blows
The in form Guptill and captain Kane Williamson were always going to be central figures in the run chase. Both got starts and looked good as they put on 30 together runs before falling. Guptill smashing Travis Head's first ball to cover for 34, while Williamson was adjudged LBW to James Faulkner for 13. It was a touch and go on field decision which Williamson challenged, but couldn't overturn as replays showed the ball hitting leg stump.
Slippery Starc
Ripped the heart out of the BLACKCAPS middle order. A potent weapon with the reverse swinging ball and Henry Nicholls (3), Colin Munro (20) and Mitchell Santner (15) found that out first hand. 150km swinging yorkers anybody? Lethal!
The end
This was the last act by Steve Smith. Enough said. The better team played the better cricket and congratulations to them.
