AUS vs NZ, 2nd ODI: Australia decimate New Zealand to seal series

Adam Zampa starred with the ball [PC: Twitter]

A clinical bowling performance helped Australia steamroll New Zealand by 113 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series at Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, on Thursday. 

Having restricted the hosts to the paltry total of 195 for nine after winning the toss, the Kiwis would have expected smooth sailing but the Australian bowlers had other plans.

Chasing 196 for victory, New Zealand failed miserably and were bundled out for a humiliating 82 in 33 overs. Skipper Kane Williamson, with the score of 17 runs off 58 deliveries and Mitchell Santner, with 29-ball 16 were the top run-scorers for New Zealand.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the wrecker-in-chief for Australia as he sent half of the New Zealand team back in the shed, picking five-wicket haul in his nine overs spell. 

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Sean Abbott also picked two wickets each, while Marcus Stoinis finished up with a scalp.

Australia huffed and puffed to 195

Australia, earlier after being asked to bat first, got off to another shambolic start losing their out-of-form captain Aaron Finch for a two-ball duck. 

Matt Henry struck again in his next over and got the better of David Warner, who struggled to get going with the bat. The Southpaw was closely followed by Marnus Labuschagne and Marcus Stoinis back in the dugout. 

Steve Smith played a gritty knock [PC: Twitter]

However, amid all the ruins, Steve Smith stood firm with dogged determination and tonked 61 runs from 94 balls to help Australia reach a three-digit figure. 

Glenn Maxwell (50-ball 25), Mitchell Starc (45-ball 38*), and Josh Hazlewood (16-ball 23*) also chipped in with handy contributions at the backend, as Australia huffed and puffed their way to 195 runs in the stipulated 50 Overs. 

New Zealand bowlers were right on the money from the word go. They kept striking time and time again to push the hosts on the backfoot and restrict them to a below-par total. 

The left-arm quick Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking 4 wickets in his quota of 10 overs. Boult was ably supported by right-arm fast bowler Matt Henry who chipped in with three wickets in his 10 overs spell.  

Brief Scores

Australia: 195/9 (50)

Steve Smith 61 (94), Mitchell Starc 38* (45);
Trent Boult 4/38 (10), Matt Henry 3/33 (10) 

New Zealand: 82 (33)

Kane Williamson 17 (58), Mitchell Santner 16* (29);
Adam Zampa 5-35 (9), Mitchell Starc 2-12 (7) 

Australia won by 113 runs.

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