AUS vs NZ: Smith hammers ton in Finch’s farewell game as Australia seal series 3-0

Smith scored a sublime ton in the series finale [PC: Twitter]

Steve Smith hammered the 11th hundred of his ODI career to drive Australia to an emphatic 25-run win over New Zealand. The win marked a 3-0 sweep for the hosts, thus bringing down curtains to skipper Aaron Finch’s glittering ODI career with some style.

How the game panned out

Australia, fresh of their 113-run win in the previous game, were asked to bat first by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson.

Outbound Finch managed just five in his final ODI innings while his opening partner Josh Inglis also fell cheaply. A 118-run partnership ensued between dynamic batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, taking Australia’s score past the 100-run mark.

Smith piled up 105 off the highest order during his stay at the crease, hitting 11 boundaries and a six off the 131 deliveries he faced. Alex Carey, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell provided the finishing touches to the innings to lift the Australian total to 267-5.

Notably, New Zealand’s speed gun Trent Boult conceded just 25 off those runs from his 10 overs, all while picking up two crucial wickets.

The visitors’ response featured several contributions, but none big enough to guide them past the finishing line. Captain Williamson’s dry run with the bat continued as he managed just 27 in the run-chase while Glenn Phillips top-scored in the innings with his rapid 47.

Mitchell Starc finished with a three-fer while Green and Sean Abbott picked two wickets each to fold up the Black Caps for just 242.

Brief scores:

Australia: 267-5 (50)

Steve Smith 105 (131), Marnus Labuschagne 52 (78)

Trent Boult 2-25, Mitchell Santner 1-52

New Zealand: 242 (49.5)

Glenn Phillips 47 (53), James Neesham 36 (34)

Mitchell Starc 3-60, Cameron Green 2-25

Australia won by 25 runs

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