David Warner, Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne smashed half-centuries in Australia’s 71-run win in the first Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. New Zealand, set 258, folded for 187 in 41 overs with none of their batsmen able to find answers to the slow nature of the pitch.
New Zealand’s chase never really got going. When left-handed opener Henry Nicholls was dismissed in the 10th over, they had just 28 on the board. When Adam Zampa’s incredible wrong’un bamboozled Kane Williamson in the 20th over, the visitors were crawling at 64.
As good as it gets from Adam Zampa! @toyota_aus | #OhWhatAFeeling pic.twitter.com/XUIjHRAGXP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 13, 2020
A collapse from there on – trying to up scoring rate – played into Australia’s hands as New Zealand soon slipped to 96 for 5. Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme delayed the inevitable with a 51-run stand but the battle was already lost early in the day.
Also, there was more positive news for Australia late in the second innings with Kane Richarson tested negative for COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease). The pacer had to miss the match because of a sore throat and was put in self-isolation as a precautionary measure.
Kane Richardson is back! 🙌#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/KJloipHQzd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 13, 2020
