Australia’s opening pairing set them on their way to victory over New Zealand, who struggled to build partnerships
Here is the report:
Related: Australia thrash New Zealand in first one-day international
That’s it for me. Thanks for your company across what has been a very strange day at the cricket. Provided the second ODI goes ahead on Sunday, we’ll be back again with the OBO - you can rely on that! Please everyone, take care. Bye for now.
Aaron Finch speaks - he is talking remotely with Brendon Julian away from him on the field - no lapel mic. This is all very odd but necessary. He says they bowled so well in the power play that it was going to be hard to chase after that. There isn’t a lot more to add - BJ clearly can’t hear Finch’s replies too well. He did well.
Kane Williamson speaks - the opening partnership Australia had set up the game and they can always rely on such a world-class bowling attack. Didn’t get the partnerships they needed then with the bat. “A tough outing, Australia were too good.” He is happy with his spinners though, who slowed Australia down.
A bit of No11 run at the end with Boult, but it was never bound to last, the New Zealanders bowled out from the final delivery of the 41st over. Cummins finishes with 3/25 from his eight, Marsh claiming 3/29 from seven. Zampa and Hazlewood were both important too, the former bowling Williamson with a gem when the game was there to be won for the hosts. Instead of shaking hands, the players file past each other clapping and elbow-bumping. Needs, must. Presentations shortly.
Boult top edges high into the air, Cummins taking the catch of his own bowling.
Ferguson missed, Marsh hit the top of the off stump. He’s been excellent.
40th over: New Zealand 180-9 (Sodhi 12) Target 259
‘’Due to the Covid-19 pandemic worsening globally, and after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket, we have today made the decision to return our players to the U.K and postpone the forthcoming Test series between Sri Lanka and England.
At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount. We will now look to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. These are completely unprecedented times, and decisions like this go beyond cricket.
39th over: New Zealand 173-8 (Sodhi 6, Ferguson 0) Target 259 Oooh my, that’s a shocker from Umpire Erasmus! Ferguson has a swing at Hazlewood and finds a top edge that flies over his helmet and into the gloves of Carey. The Australians celebrate in the usual way, barely appealing... but he’s given not out! Of course, they have no review to use after blowing it in the first over. Another weird moment in what has been an incredibly weird day of international cricket.
More bad breaking news: England’s cricketers are coming home.
Confirmed: England's Test series in Sri Lanka has been called off …
Marsh is back into the attack and gets himself a second. It’s the last big wicket on the Black Caps’ teamsheet, that of Santner, who holes out to deep midwicket. It really is an odd scene, the matchwinning moment yet no crowd there to cheer it.
38th over: New Zealand 171-8 (Sodhi 5, Ferguson 0) Target 259
37th over: New Zealand 167-7 (Santner 13, Sodhi 2) Target 259 Good from Santner, picking the right ball to pull and does it well, into the gap for four. They need seven an over from here, which will require Santner to do something special.
36th over: New Zealand 162-7 (Santner 9, Sodhi 1) Target 259 Zampa closes out another successful over for Australia. “He’ll be sitting there thinking,” says Ian Smith of de Grandhomme’s dismissal, “I have the power, why didn’t I just GO!”
GONE!
Are New Zealand's hopes gone with CdG's wicket? #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/IHnS1hMCml
de Grandhomme tries to muscle Zampa over the long-on rope but can’t clear Starc. Realistically, they needed him to be there at the end to have a real pop at this.
35th over: New Zealand 158-6 (de Grandhomme 23, Santner 8) Target 259 Hazlewood continues his very good evening with the ball. He’s pinged for a wide to finish and isn’t happy after de Grandhomme tried to make room but missed his pull shot. As I said off the top, Hazlewood badly wants to be part of calculations for the Australian T20 World Cup squad later this year. I’d pick him.
34th over: New Zealand 151-6 (de Grandhomme 22, Santner 3) Target 259 After giving away three boundaries in his previous over, Zampa is right back on it here with just three singles taken to the sweepers to start followed by three dots. He has 1/46 from his seven overs so far tonight. He’s a very good cricketer.
The sound of the minimal crowd, the echo and the hum of equipment reminds me of sitting up in the Noble stand watching day night shield cricket with my old man in about 96/97
33rd over: New Zealand 148-6 (de Grandhomme 21, Santner 1) Target 259 Santner won’t have long to find his groove. But, as I said about CdG when he walked out, it isn’t as though he can’t hit a long ball - we saw that in the IPL last year. But Finch will know that and realise that it is about taking wickets rather than containment.
Straight to Short in the deep! #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/zzXy3zVoaz
The drinks break has helped Australia, Latham falling three balls after the resumption. The productive partnership for New Zealand ends when the left-hander miscues his pull, straight into the hands of Short at deep backward square.
32nd over: New Zealand 147-5 (Latham 38, de Grandhomme 21) Target 259 If Australia go on to lose this game of cricket, they will look at two moments: the failed review in the first over and the Smith dropped catch. The latter stings here when Latham gets busy against Zampa, smacking him over cover then pulling over midwicket. Those two boundaries came after an outstanding inside-out drive over extra cover from de Grandhomme, racing away for four as well. That makes 14 off the over as they head off for a drink, New Zealand now needing 112 from 108.
31st over: New Zealand 133-5 (Latham 29, de Grandhomme 16) Target 259 Well, another eight off Hazlewood, with Latham managing to lift the big quick over midwicket for four... much like the news cycle, the game is evolving quickly.
30th over: New Zealand 125-5 (Latham 22, de Grandhomme 15) Target 259 Well, from a moment in the previous over when Smith had the chance to essentially end the match as a contest to 17 runs across two overs ,with ten off that, New Zealand are far from gone here with the required rate just 6.7 - a doddle in this day and age. Sure, 134 in 20 overs is a decent clip when you’re five down but de Grandhomme was able to profit from a couple of loose Starc deliveries there, the last running away to the fine leg boundary. He’s been the least effective of the pace trio tonight.
29th over: New Zealand 115-5 (Latham 20, de Grandhomme 9) Target 259 Ahhh, Steve Smith drops a catch! You don’t get to say that very often. It’s the most straightforward chance at cover, Latham placing it to him after misreading Zampa’s wrong’un. But with so much time to see the ball coming his way, the former captain spills it when going to his knees. The batsman can’t believe it.
28th over: New Zealand 108-5 (Latham 18, de Grandhomme 5) Target 259 To end what is to that point another frugal over, Starc drops short to de Grandhomme but it isn’t zippy enough to cause him issues, the all-rounder pulling a boundary.
Big breaking news from India: the IPL has been suspended until 15 April.
27th over: New Zealand 100-5 (Latham 16, de Grandhomme 0) Target 259 Ooh, Cummins whacks de Grandhomme in the side of the helmet, perhaps via the edge of the bat after missing his pull shot, so the medical staff come out to check he’s okay. The all-rounder is smiling - he’s fine to continue. Another nasty one to finish, which he gets under this time. That’s a maiden from the man they call Winx. He has 2/18 from his seven overs so far. Too quick, too consistent, too good.
News from the Australian camp a little while ago was that Kane Richardson has been tested for Coronavirus and the results are negative. He’s on screen now with his teammates in the orange vest, ready to resume as one of the Twelfth Men.
26th over: New Zealand 100-5 (Latham 16, de Grandhomme 0) Target 259 Finch is blessed with the ability to rotate through his quicks now the major incision has been made. Latham gets a couple off Starc through cover then a couple more behind point later in the over as they reach 100. On paper, they are still very much in this with the required rate below seven but their wickets column is the issue.
NASTY from Cummins, a quick bumper from over the wicket that Neesham couldn’t get out the way of, the edge flying high into the sky and Carey doing the rest. Clever from Cummins after biting him with a bouncer in the previous over.
25th over: New Zealand 96-5 (Latham 12) Target 259
24th over: New Zealand 91-4 (Latham 7, Neesham 8) Target 259 Perhaps no moment sums up the week for me more than Steve Smith bowling off-spin (instead of leggies) to Jimmy Neesham, giving him a full toss that’s sent well into the stands. And what does no crowd mean? The players have to find the ball (see below pic). I suspect that’ll be the former captain’s only over for now.
The week that was. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/IYkzWY7L7h
23rd over: New Zealand 83-4 (Latham 6, Neesham 1) Target 259 Ouch, Neesham misjudges a Cummins short ball to begin and cops one in the arm. He’s off the mark behind square to end the successful over. Have a crack, Jimmy.
Here is the Zampa wicket, by the way. Gorgeous.
As good as it gets from Adam Zampa! @toyota_aus | #OhWhatAFeelingpic.twitter.com/XUIjHRAGXP
What a catch! Smith repeats the snaffle at backward point that he took against the same opposition on the same ground three seasons ago, throwing himself to his left to pull down a beauty while in mid-air. It doesn’t get much better than that!
22nd over: New Zealand 78-3 (Guptill 36, Latham 6) Target 259 After surviving that leg before shout from Marsh, Latham has settled well, glancing Zampa for a couple then steering his wrong’un through slip for three - in control of both strokes.
21st over: New Zealand 70-3 (Guptill 35, Latham 0) Target 259 Ohh, Marsh mounts a compelling case to Umpire Erasmus that he has Latham leg before third ball when missing a ball that looked to be on his stumps but it is turned down. That will sting for Finch, who went upstairs in the first over on a bad shout, to no avail.
New Zealand are in strife now, losing their next most experienced matchwinner an over after the skipper fell. Taylor tried to take it to Marsh, stepping down to flat-bat him through the onside, but he didn’t get all of it, gifting a catch to Starc at long-on. Good stuff from the all-rounder too, taking the pace off his delivery.
20th over: New Zealand 67-2 (Guptill 35, Taylor 2) Target 259 I can’t find it on youtube, but that reminds me of the ball Zampa bowled to skittle Kohli in the deciding ODI of Australia’s series-win in India this time last year. And I tell you what, he’s ever so close to being on a hat-trick! Taylor is down first up in an attempt to sweep but he also misses the wrong’un, the spinner insistent that it was going on to hit... but it is turned down and they don’t have a review.
What a wrong’un! When the youtube package is made when Zampa retires, that delivery to Williamson will be one of the first featured. It’s as perfect as perfect can be, drawing the New Zealand skipper forward outside the off-stump before darting back through the gate and hitting the middle stump. Delicious bowling.
19th over: New Zealand 62-1 (Guptill 34, Williamson 17) Target 259 Five singles off Marsh, Williamson and Guptill both hitting the sweepers with greater regularity this time around. That’s also what has been missing so far: steady accumulation.
18th over: New Zealand 57-1 (Guptill 32, Williamson 14) Target 259 I endorse Guptill having a serious pop here. He’s out of touch but he can still hit the long ball so why not have a go at doing just that? It surely informs his choice of stroke at Zampa, a premeditated but well-executed slog over the bowlers’ head for SIX. Their first big one of the chase. The spinner doesn’t give him another chance to free the arms without risk, right back on his middle stump line to close it out. Guptill has faced 66 deliveries for his 32, I should add. Keep swinging, Marty.
17th over: New Zealand 50-1 (Guptill 26, Williamson 13) Target 259 Oooh, Labuschagne had the chance to run Williamson out at cover! Guptill pushed and ran and the captain was coming but was sent back. A direct hit and he was gone by metres. That’s what excellent bowling helps create: uncharacteristic mistakes.
16th over: New Zealand 46-1 (Guptill 24, Williamson 11) Target 259 Fantastic start from Zampa, who has never bowled than across this Australian summer. The leggie beats Williamson with that very familiar wrong’un of his but it does so much that the shout for leg before isn’t that enthusiastic. He gives them absolutely nothing, attacking the stumps from the get-go with tons of overspin. DRINKS!
15th over: New Zealand 43-1 (Guptill 22, Williamson 10) Target 259 Taking seven off it, that’s New Zealand’s best over since the third of their reply, Williamson taking it to Mitch Marsh with a lofted drive down the ground for four. I think it’s fair to say already that Williamson will need to get 130-odd if they are to win this.
14th over: New Zealand 36-1 (Guptill 21, Williamson 5) Target 259 This is a very good conversation with Lyon on telly, who is usually pretty guarded when asked to talk about himself. He says that it wasn’t until he claimed 150 Test wickets that he felt comfortable in the Australian team. Blimey. I mean, we sense that covering his career - he’s always nervous and his route to the top wasn’t conventional. But still, that’s quite the bout of impostor syndrome he’s suffered from - however unjustified in his case. Starc is spot on here again from around the wicket, just a single to cover from Guptill. The required rate is now in excess of a run a ball.
13th over: New Zealand 35-1 (Guptill 20, Williamson 5) Target 259 Mitch Marsh into the attack and nailing his length, banging it in outside the off-stump. “He’s the heartbeat of the side,” declares Nathan Lyon on commentary. You get a real feel for that in the new documentary, just how much his colleagues love him. It turns into an excellent first over, five dots at Guptill before the opener collects a single down the ground to finish. Australia have taken 1/10 from the last five overs.
12th over: New Zealand 34-1 (Guptill 19, Williamson 5) Target 259 The classic Kane Williamson back-cut, beating backward point with ease to get off the mark. That was a shot Bradman made his own and the New Zealand captain does a pretty good impression of it. A couple more singles off Starc to finish. Better batting.
11th over: New Zealand 28-1 (Guptill 18, Williamson 0) Target 259 Nathan Lyon is in the Fox commentary box and Kerry O’Keeffe is enjoying telling a story about how there was far more attention on his brother Brendan as a kid. I know Nath and Brendo from before all this, during our club cricket days in Canberra for Wests. Anyway, whenever he makes runs for Australia, he always credits his big brother, who is a coach in Sydney these days. A great cricketing family. Meanwhile, guess what? Cummins sends down a picture-perfect maiden at Guptill. New Zealand already need a run a ball to win. Williamson needs to get to work and fast.
10th over: New Zealand 28-1 (Guptill 18, Williamson 0) Target 259 Out walks the New Zealand numero uno, Kane Williamson. He has two balls to see off in Hazlewood’s successful over and defends them both into the offside. The end of a superb power play for the Australian quicks - Hazlewood has 1/14 from his five.
A nice catch from Carey and Hazlewood strikes!#AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/R4Rr0pwQPz
Lovely cricket! Oh, how Hazlewood and his colleagues earned that. From around the wicket, just outside the off-stump, Nicholls tried to push through cover. Instead, a thick edge was found, Carey doing the rest diving to his left.
9th over: New Zealand 27-0 (Guptill 17, Nicholls 10) Target 259 Big shout for caught behind from Cummins! Nicholls was hooking at a delivery from around the wicket and looked to miss it - indeed, he did miss it. Of course, Starc/Finch blew Australia’s review with the second ball of their bowling innings. To that point, two quick singles were New Zealand’s lot. They’re going at just three an over.
8th over: New Zealand 25-0 (Guptill 16, Nicholls 9) Target 259 Shot, Guptill up on the balls of his feet to steer three behind point early in the over off Hazlewood. Sure enough, regular programming quickly resumes. This is old school.
7th over: New Zealand 21-0 (Guptill 13, Nicholls 8) Target 259 The TV broadcaster is showing some analysis between overs of how accurate the Australians have been so far, “right on a hanky” says Brendon Julian. It’s Cummins’ turn to turn the screws. Sorry to be repetitive - blame the Australian fast bowling prowess. They wouldn’t mind a wicket before this power play is over, though. A cherry on top.
6th over: New Zealand 18-0 (Guptill 11, Nicholls 7) Target 259 Outstanding start this from Australia’s top-tier pace trio, Hazlewood once again giving Guptill absolutely nothing. Remember, the experienced New Zealand opener has routinely taken Australian attacks down over the years in this form of the years. The bowling is just too good for any of that so far, even through the field is up.
5th over: New Zealand 17-0 (Guptill 10, Nicholls 7) Target 259 Cummins is into the attack and smacking the ball in short of a length; always so consistent. I spent the last couple of days smashing through the documentary about the Australian team and the reputation of many players is enhanced by their participation in it, not least Cummins. We can overdo this sometimes, but he’s such a likeable bloke.
4th over: New Zealand 14-0 (Guptill 9, Nicholls 4) Target 259 Lovely delivery, Hazlewood beating Guptill by the proverial coat of varnish. But he bounces back well to finish, timing a drive through cover for three. No rush at all for the visitors.
3rd over: New Zealand 9-0 (Guptill 5, Nicholls 4) Target 259 That’s a nice way to get off the mark, Nicholls crunching Starc to the rope with his best shot, the cut.
“I’m cranky about this ODO not being on free to air,” Doc Marianne Webb tweets at me. You can do that too, of course. Or email if the observation runs longer than 280 characters. “Admittedly I’m also cranky about other things like panic toilet roll buying...but still! I guess it comes down to $$, yes?”
2nd over: New Zealand 4-0 (Guptill 4, Nicholls 0) Target 259 Hazlewood has been quite outstanding with the white ball since returning to the ranks in India a couple of months ago having been overlooked for the World Cup. Blimey, what a marathon summer this was. Remember when it started, with those T20s against Sri Lanka? Anyway, Hazlewood has been adamant that he wants to play in the T20 World Cup in October (provided it goes ahead) and is giving himself every chance of doing so. Guptill miscues three over mid-on, not convincing at all, the rest of the over landing in in a shoebox. A very good start from Australia’s two big quicks.
1st over: New Zealand 1-0 (Guptill 1, Nicholls 0) Target 259 Ian Smith says on TV broadcast that Finch wasn’t at all sure until making the review sign. Watching back a real-time replay after the technology confirms the decision, we get a feel for just how ambitious it all was. “That was not a good process,” Smith concludes. Alas, Guptill is off the mark later in the over with a push into the onside.
NOT OUT! For a lot of reasons, not least the fact that it pitched outside leg.
HAS STARC TRAPPED GUPTILL LBW SECOND BALL? He likes it so much that Finch is convinced with review with one second to spare. Stand by.
The players are back on the field. New Zealand dragged Australia back very nicely with the ball, can make the most of it in the early stages of the chase? Guptill and Nicholls are opening up for the visitors and Mitch Starc has the new ball. PLAY!
Thanks, Scott. Well, to say the world has changed since the last time we spoke on the OBO just five days ago for the T20 World Cup Final would be a tremendous understatement. It’s going to be an eerie series but we’ll do the best we can to take your mind off the world around us. If you want to go back into the time machine - and don’t we all - Geoff Lemon and I recorded a new ep of The Final Word earlier in the week to reflect on the wonderful night at the ‘G. That might also be soothing as we wait for the players to return to the field in about 15 minutes. Chat then.
Hard to know exactly what to make of this offering from Australia. With Warner and Finch scoring at will in the early overs, a score north of 300 looked on the cards. But once the first wicket was broken with 124 runs on the board, a rot of sorts set in. Undoubtedly the slowing SCG pitch played its part, but wonderful bowling in the middle from Santner (2-34) and to a lesser degree Boult (0-37) saw the runs evaporate and the wickets tumble. Australia were made to work very hard for their runs - not a single boundary was scored between the 37th and 48th overs - and but for Labuschagne (56 from 52) Australia might have been forced to settle for as score not far north of 200. The par score for a team batting first at the SCG is around 300, so this looks a tad on the thin side, but if runs are as hard to come by this evening New Zealand will have to bat well to win. Of course, all of this is being played out before an empty stadium. Strange, concerning times. That’s all from me. I’ll now place you in the safe hands of Adam Collins.
50th over: Australia 258-7 (Cummins 14, Starc 9) A good last few balls for Australia, with Starc collecting eight runs from the final three to take Australia past 250.
A tired-looking shot from Labuschagne, who can do no more than squirt a full-toss to Taylor at backward point. He’s run his legs off today, so no surprise. Starc and Cummins to see Australia home.
49th over: Australia 248-6 (Labuschagne 56, Cummins 13) Labuschagne shuffles across his stumps and is struck in front by Boult, the latter’s leg-before appeal landing on sympathetic ears. Labuschange is on his way, but not if the batsman has anything to do with it. Review! And a good review at that, with the ball hitting the Australian some way outside the line of off-stump. Not out! Cummins then looks like he’s picked up another boundary, but some excellent fielding in the deep by Nicholls keeps the shot to three. One over to come.
48th over: Australia 239-6 (Labuschagne 50, Cummins 10) A single brings up Labuschagne’s second ODI fifty, and off just 46 balls this has been an important innings. The crowd again (doesn’t) go wild. Cummins then gives himself room and gets one right out of the screws, punching Sodhi over extra cover for a big six. Just the third maximum of the day but also the first boundary of any kind since the 36th over.
47th over: Australia 226-4 (Labuschagne 49, Cummins 2) Boult returns for his final foray and just four singles come from his penultimate offering. Six down facing probably New Zealand’s best bowler today, Australia remain watchful.
Carey comes and goes, sending a premeditated sweep into the outstretched hands of Boult at backward square. Two wickets in the over for Sodhi.
46th over: Australia 226-6 (Labuschagne 47)
Marsh’s uncertain stay comes to a certain conclusion as he plays a shot with grand intentions but humble outcomes, finding Guptill at extra cover.
45th over: Australia 221-4 (Labuschagne 43, Marsh 27) Labuschagne indeed does take a risk, slashing heartily at Santner outside off, and though he doesn’t middle it he still picks up a hurriedly run three. Another risky shot follows, a sweep over midwicket that somehow lands safely, and seven runs come from Santner’s final over. His return of 2-34 from 10 overs was a joy to watch. Pretty much instigated New Zealand’s resurgence.
44th over: Australia 214-4 (Labuschagne 39, Marsh 24) Sodhi continues and it’s clear this deck is slowing by the over. The batsmen are either approaching the ball or standing and waiting until it arrives. They’re forced to force the issue but it’s tough going. We are in ones and twos territory unless you’re prepared to take risks. Five from the over. Surely the risk taking isn’t far off.
43rd over: Australia 209-4 (Labuschagne 36, Marsh 22) Neesham strays onto the pads of the right-handers but New Zealand are stacked on the fence on the leg-side. Fours are proving hard to come by but ones and twos flow readily. Six from the over.
42nd over: Australia 203-4 (Labuschagne 32, Marsh 20) Sodhi returns and four singles is Australia’s net return. The hosts pass 200 and one - well, me - wonders when the shoulders will open and the shots will be played.
41st over: Australia 199-4 (Labuschagne 30, Marsh 18) Neesham returns to the attack, leaving Boult with two overs up his sleeve. Australia, and Marsh in particular, appreciate the release in pressure, taking five from the over. Not many, I know, but it’s been tough going lately. A recession of runs, if you will.
@scott_heinrich Thanks for bringing up the underarm video yet again. Do you have footage of Colin Meads splitting Ken Catchpole in two? Best player in the world at the time and Meads pulled his leg like it was a wishbone. Anyone showed that lately? Or too focused on poor NZ?
40th over: Australia 194-4 (Labuschagne 29, Marsh 14) Santner again and more of the same: more tight, probing, hard-to-play slow bowling, that is. Three from the over. And when you consider this is the 40th over, that is commendable. The pitch has slowed somewhat, no doubt, but this has been some fightback by New Zealand.
39th over: Australia 191-4 (Labuschagne 27, Marsh 13) A rare bad ball from Boult - too short, too wide, too slow even - is cut past backward point for four by Marsh. One poor delivery in eight overs. We can forgive Boult for that.
#AUSvNZ#cricket match taking place amongst no spectators and empty stadium. Now you know how watching #PSL in #Dubai and #AbuDhabi felt like?#COVID2019#CoronavirusPandemicpic.twitter.com/z4r7Wu0xee
38th over: Australia 184-4 (Labuschagne 25, Marsh 8) Now Santner returns, and with Boult at the other end you can see what Williamson is thinking: keep the squeeze on for as long as possible. Do that to good effect, and Australia will throw their wickets away. Maybe. Three from the over. Great slow bowling.
37th over: Australia 181-4 (Labuschagne 23, Marsh 7) Sketchy fielding from Williamson gifts Australia some free runs but still a good over (of course) from the returning Boult. Just three runs from it.
When you accidentally shake hands #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/WcF1Ag4QCc
36th over: Australia 178-4 (Labuschagne 22, Marsh 5) Ferguson errs onto Labuschagne’s pads and pays the price as the right-hander gets enough on it to find the fine-leg fence. Two more come, courtesy of some frantic running, and then Marsh gets in on the act with another glanced boundary. Poor bowling from Ferguson when New Zealand were/are in the position to turn the screw.
Sodhi on for Santner and you’d think that can’t be good for New Zealand given Santner’s present form and state of mind. But Short pretty much tosses his wicket away, pulling tepidly over midwicket and handing Nicholls some free catching practice. I don’t think I’m the toughest judge, but I’m not sure about D’Arcy Short. Kiwis on a roll.
35th over: Australia 167-4 (Labuschagne 15, Marsh 1)
34th over: Australia 160-3 (Short 5, Labuschagne 9) Ferguson loosens the shackles somewhat, straying in line and length, as Short and Labuschagne help themselves to ones, twos and threes in a better over for Australia.
Here’s the Smith dismissal.
Finch
Smith
Santner strikes the big blows to push Australia on the backfoot.#AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/sRwt0PMqfo
33rd over: Australia 153-3 (Short 2, Labuschagne 5) Just one run from Santner’s latest offering. My he’s bowling well. In the space of 10 or so overs, Australia have gone from imperious to in peril. That is why we love cricket.
32nd over: Australia 152-3 (Short 2, Labuschagne 4) CDG is back in the attack, Williamson clearly wanting Boult in his pocket for the death overs.Another good over for the Kiwis, who’ve owned this middle period, with four runs coming from the over.
Welcome to the fray, James Hannan: “Thanks very much for sharing the video of “THE UNDERARM INCIDENT” and Australians doing what we do best. I sent it to my Kiwi friends. I was eight at the time, and watching it now you gotta love Richie who at the end of the video delivers a scathing attack on G Chappell and co. The look and little head shake he gives the camera when he says, ‘Well, perhaps they might advance that as an excuse for what happened out there today. Not with me they don’t!’ They don’t make ‘em like him anymore!”
Another one bites the dust. This is an excellent spell from Santner, who now counts Smith among his victims as the right hander misses his attempted back-foot drive and is bowled off-stump. Wonderful period for New Zealand, this.
31st over: Australia 148-3 (Short 0, Labuschagne 2)
30th over: Australia 146-2 (Smith 14, Short 0) Another fine over from Boult - he’s now 0-14 from six overs - keeps Australia to one run and Short hoping his eye is in soon.
Sure is weird today with nobody in the stands.
Life's tough without the fans
(via @cricketcomau) pic.twitter.com/wmRjg1mklY
Nice bowling from Santner to tempt Finch into the cut shot, but the Australia skipper is cramped for room and succeeds only in feathering one to the keeper. A good innings from Finch, as per Warner, but no wickets quickly become two and perhaps New Zealand are now back in this one.
29th over: Australia 145-2 (Smith 13, Short 0)
28th over: Australia 143-1 (Finch 59, Smith 12) Boult returns, and after the exhilaration of the previous over normality returns. Two runs from the over. Ho-hum.
ICYMI, here’s that ridiculous shot from Smith.
FETCH THAT!
Steve Smith sends Lockie Ferguson into the stands over square leg with an incredible shot.
AUS now 1/143 off 28 | #AUSvNZ live blog: https://t.co/dTwEeiFmph#SteveSmithpic.twitter.com/eRrHuVyV0o
27th over: Australia 141-1 (Finch 58, Smith 11) Shot! Pure, unbridled Steve Smith brilliance. Arrogantly, dismissively, nonchalantly even, he steps across the crease and clips a straight, full one from Ferguson high and wide over the backward square fence. Can’t really think of another player in the world who could play a shot like that. All wrist, all class. The crowd (doesn’t) go wild.
Adventures at the SCG update #23:
Paid $7 for this Coke Zero. Still at least there were no queues. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/KkQnAxtnxa
26th over: Australia 132-1 (Finch 57, Smith 3) Neesham is wild and wide of off stump - and Finch’s expansive shot is almost equally as wild - but it comes out on top as his thick edge flies over gully for four.
So that’s where it’s coming from. Ferguson’s pace has been good today and he hurries Warner into a pull shot that gets big on him quicker than he expected, resulting in an easy catch for Sodhi at mid-on. Warner’s 88-ball dig comes to an end and that was desperately needed by the Kiwis. Exit Warner, enter Smith. So not all bad for Australia then.
25th over: Australia 127-1 (Finch 53, Smith 2)
Sheer pace does the trick for Lockie Ferguson and New Zealand!
Live #AUSvNZ scores: https://t.co/2a6XMXTJcFpic.twitter.com/Yk0Gll3qDJ
24th over: Australia 124-0 (Warner 67, Finch 52) Neesham strays down leg and is clipped for four by Warner. From where on earth is this first wicket coming?
23rd over: Australia 119-0 (Warner 62, Finch 52) Another change for New Zealand, and a change of ends for Ferguson, as Sodhi is sent for a spell. Warner is kept on his toes by a short one but manages to keep it down as the over goes for five runs. Into the middle period now, Australia might be thinking attack as opposed to the usual accumulation. Ten wickets in hand is big.
22nd over: Australia 114-0 (Warner 59, Finch 50) Neesham returns, hopefully for his sake with little memory of that very costly over early in the innings, and while he is more economical here Australia continue to score at will. Finch registers his 26th one-day century with a single, the milestone coming from just 56 deliveries.
21st over: Australia 111-0 (Warner 57, Finch 49) Sodhi is doing his level best to stop the bleed, and while his over goes for only four runs New Zealand look light years away from making their first breakthrough. With some serious batting talent to come, Australia could be on for a very big score here.
20th over: Australia 107-0 (Warner 55, Finch 47) Big four to Warner, who slices expertly between gully and point. In what is sure to prove a gigantic jinx, he’s batting like he won’t get out.
19th over: Australia 100-0 (Warner 50, Finch 45) Big, big six from Finch, who clears the midwicket fence by some distance. Play is delayed by some three hours. Well, there’s nobody there to toss the ball back, is there? A single then takes Warner to his 21st ODI half-century. Understandably, he looks unsure if he should raise his bat. He get a few claps from his teammates far, far away and does his best to acknowledge the applause. This is weird to watch. Must be so much weirder for the players. Plain eerie. But crowd or no crowd, Australia are right on top here.
"Fetch it yourself"
Stream #AUSvNZ: https://t.co/WrUMc9grxW
Live blog: https://t.co/gz2bCEefnj
Match Centre: https://t.co/eKFjuibUvQpic.twitter.com/0KbyeilEPd
18th over: Australia 91-0 (Warner 49, Finch 37) Decent, if far from threatening, from CDG, who is taken for a brace of singles by both batsmen.
17th over: Australia 87-0 (Warner 47, Finch 35) Sodhi on for Santner as the Kiwis trade left-arm turn for right-arm turn. These two are well set, however. Warner premeditates a reverse sweep and executes it perfectly, finding the rope past backward point.
16th over: Australia 79-0 (Warner 42, Finch 32) CDG is too short and too straight to Warner - at his pace that’s a recipe for disaster - and the opener duly pulls for four. Runs coming rather easily now for Australia. If there was anyone at the SCG today, the home supporters would be on good terms with themselves.
15th over: Australia 73-0 (Warner 37, Finch 31) Finch sweeps Santner for four before another free hit results in another dot ball. Perhaps New Zealand should manufacture free hits every second ball? Nice fielding in the deep from Boult then keeps Warner’s shot to two runs.
14th over: Australia 63-0 (Warner 34, Finch 26) A free hit must do odd things to a batsman’s mind.Warner gets one to CDG’s bowling but loses his shape and positioning at the crease, a little like yours truly at indoor cricket, and can’t even muster a single off a full toss. This from a man who hits sixes in his sleep. Go figure.
13th over: Australia 61-0 (Warner 32, Finch 26) Santner traps Finch on the crease and offers a hearty appeal for leg before. The decision is not out and there is definite conjecture around whether the ball hit bat or pad first. But, again, a review is not forthcoming. And, again, it looks like it was a review worth asking for. The ball did hit pad first. And it did look like it was heading to the stumps. But the not-out call obviously settled Williamson’s mind.
12th over: Australia 57-0 (Warner 31, Finch 23) Neesham, predictably, is sent out to pasture with de Grandhomme brought on. CDG makes an acceptable start, going for ones and twos, but New Zealand still don’t have that initial breakthrough. And do they need it.
11th over: Australia 52-0 (Warner 30, Finch 19) Good again from Santner, who numerically bowls a 15x better over than Neesham the over prior. You know it makes sense.
Acaufie says: “Get used to zero crowds for the near future …”
10th over: Australia 51-0 (Warner 30, Finch 18) Neesham is too straight and too full to Finch, whose eyes light up as he first drives over long-on for six. Warner, not to be outdone, joins the party with a couple of boundaries, one straight back over the bowler’s head and the other over extra cover. Fifteen from the over. Advantage Australia.
The first six of the series comes off the blade of Finch! #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/Zfg1oe6dda
9th over: Australia 36-0 (Warner 22, Finch 11) Boult’s four-over spell, which conceded just 11 runs, comes to an end as New Zealand opt for the slow turn of Santner. A good sdtart from the left-armer, allowing just two singles.
8th over: Australia 34-0 (Warner 21, Finch 10) Neesham on now and much to Warner’s delight, the left-hander cutting a wide one to the third-man fence.
7th over: Australia 29-0 (Warner 16, Finch 10) Boult continues his impressive spell, mixing line, length and speed to keep both openers on their toes. A trio of singles is the best Australia can muster.
Welcome, by the way, to a world with coronovirus in it.
This is real life. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/n3yZox9KEx
6th over: Australia 26-0 (Warner 14, Finch 10) Over the wicket to the left-hander is a now thing of the past for Ferguson, who goes around the wicket to Warner. He switches for Finch and looks much more comfortable, holding a good line to both openers and conceding just one run from the over.
5th over: Australia 25-0 (Warner 13, Finch 10) Nice opening spell from Boult. He beats Warner’s outside edge with good old-fashioned line and length before straightening up and befuddling the leftie with pace and bounce. Two from the over. Good bowling from the Kiwi, who by now should have a wicket but doesn’t.
4th over: Australia 23-0 (Warner 12, Finch 9) Ferguson’s pace is good but his radar is way off and he is taken by both batsmen for boundaries. My, oh my, Finch should be back in the pavilion. But he isn’t. New Zealand might live to regret this.
3rd over: Australia 14-0 (Warner 8, Finch 4) Boult gets a short one to spit off the deck, enticing Finch into a hook shot. He gets nowhere near the shot and Boult is convinced he has his man caught behind. The umpire says no, Boult is aghast, a review is coming ... surely ... surely! But no, Williamson decides to keep the review in his pocket. Bad call. The ball fairly well ricocheted off the back of Finch’s bat. But he survives. Bad umpiring. Not very good captaincy. Warner then adds scorn to misery by punching one through the covers for the game’s first boundary.
Lucky escape for Aaron Finch ‼️
Stream #AUSvNZ: https://t.co/WrUMc9grxW
Live blog: https://t.co/gz2bCEefnj
Match Centre: https://t.co/eKFjuibUvQpic.twitter.com/m9I13QWoAU
2nd over: Australia 9-0 (Warner 4, Finch 3) Ferguson from the other end. Warner gets off the mark with a couple wide of midwicket before the seamer, over the wicket to the left hander, again strays down leg to go for two more.
1st over: Australia 3-0 (Warner 0, Finch 2) Finch is distracted by glare, or something, near the fence and asks for said something to be moved. One thing that said something isn’t is a rogue pair of novelty sunglasses in the stands. In case you didn’t get the memo, there isn’t a soul in attendance. Finch uses his feet to Boult but can’t get him away. And to be fair he did extremely well to keep a venomous inswinging yorker at bay. A wicket-taking ball if ever I saw one. Two to Finch late in the over are the first runs off the bat.
OK, we’re seconds away. Warner to take face, Boult to bowl...
Looking forward to seeing the players fitted in their retro kits. What’s your favourite Australia-NZ moment from the salad days of the 1970s and ‘80s?
Not sure this is anyone’s favourite moment, but here ‘tis anyway.
Cricket Australia has confirmed that, at this stage, Sheffield Shield matches will be going ahead as planned. A decision is yet to be made on whether fans will be allowed into the grounds.
There’s a joke in there somewhere, surely.
The SCG pitch looks as dry, dry, dry. No wonder Aaron Finch didn’t mince his words upon winning the toss.
Steve Smith and Alex Carey check out the SCG pitch.#AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/B5joONFr0R
Not sure any words I can muster will add to this.
Kane Richardson has been quarantined from Australia’s squad and ruled out with a “mild sore throat”. Officials are confident the fast bowler’s issue is not related to the coronavirus.
Lockie Ferguson is back
Live https://t.co/JZ9wa3hVIK | #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/7lnZsrtIjT
To the eerie backdrop of not a sod in the stands, Australia captain Aaron Finch calls correctly and wastes no time in electing to wield the willow.
“Looks like a nice wicket and a little on the dry side. So hopefully we can post a decent score,” Finch says. “It’s an unusual feeling to turn up and there’s no one around.”
SCG looking beautiful ahead of the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand.
Just no fans here to see it. #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/Kg0ElrFO5N
Retro. Do you like that?
"It's awesome, I love it."
Both skippers are pretty happy to be turning out in the retro ODI kits! #AUSvNZpic.twitter.com/CtwbmibmYb
Hello and welcome to the first match of the revived Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Today’s clash at the SCG - the first since 2017 when Australia and New Zealand last met in a bilateral series - is one with a difference, however. Any contest, in any format, between these Trans-Tasman foes is invariably played out to a backdrop of raucous cheer, hilarity and usually good-natured ribbing between spectators. Not today. Today, the SCG is closed to patrons as the effects of coronavirus sink their talons into professional sport in Australia. Already the Australian GP has been cancelled by Formula One, Australia’s world champions women’s cricketers won’t be going to South Africa this weekend as planned and, now, the denouement to the endless summer for Australia’s men will be played to TV audiences only. Who knows where it will end. Out on the field, Australia will be looking to sign off in style - and, let’s face it, in one-day cricket they need to - while New Zealand, who’ve been sparingly tried in this format since last year’s amazing World Cup final, will be digging for hen’s teeth: a series win in Australia. Let’s get cracking. Want to get involved? You can do so by email or Twitter - @scott_heinrich.
Related: Fans shut out from Australia's ODI series with New Zealand due to Covid-19
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