Australia wins the series 3-0 after defeating New Zealand by 25 runs in the final ODI
Australia has won the Chappell-Hadlee Series 3-0 after defeating New Zealand by 25 runs in the final one-day international in Cairns and gave captain Aaron Finch a victorious farewell in his ultimate 50-overs appearance.
Aaron Finch announced his retirement and told reporters: “The partnership from Steve and Marnus was exceptional to take us through the middle overs and start to build. To get to 260 after probably our slowest start ever in one-day cricket was special. That innings from Steve was a great knock and our bowlers were fantastic all the way through.”
“I feel pretty good, I mean – I don’t have to field 50 overs any more! It’s been a fun ride. I’ve loved every bit of it. Sitting around having a beer with your mates after winning a match or series is the thing I’ll miss the most, but we’ll enjoy tonight. It is very special to have them here, they’ve sacrificed so much their entire life for me to be able to achieve something I could only dream about as kid, so I’ll always be indebted to them for the countless hours in the car, the hours sitting around at cricket training. I want to thank everyone. The staff we’ve had, the captains I’ve had right from club cricket. All the players, it’s such a special time. My wife and family, the support they’ve given me. My career has had plenty of ups and downs but to always have the support of the changing room is something I’ve felt my whole career,” he added.
Steve Smith scored 105, his 12th ODI century, to help Australia transcend a slow beginning and post a challenging 267-5 on a slow track in Cairns. New Zealand responded with 242 before being all out in 49.5 overs.
Thanks Finchy! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/EBDZRmDuoU
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 11, 2022
After being put in to bat, Australia lost both of its openers and fell to 16-2 in the sixth over. Australia rested David Warner for the meaningless game after clinching the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a match to spare. Josh Inglis wasted the chance and scored 10 points before Trent Boult caught him behind. Finch ended his one-day career with 5,406 runs, which include 17 hundreds, at an average of 38.89, before being bowled by Tim Southee in his 146th ODI.
Aaron Finch. What a sensational ODI career! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/2dAiUch8Cs
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 10, 2022
Smith added 118 runs to the innings with Marnus Labuschagne (52) and 63 more in quick succession with Alex Carey to pull Australia back into the game. Smith hit 11 fours and a six before going down to Mitchell Santner in the 45th over while attempting to push Australia over the 200-mark. Carey’s unbeaten 42 was peppered with unconventional shots, and Cameron Green hit two sixes in his 25 not out.
New Zealand made a strong start in their chase, but Smith ended up taking a low catch to send Devon Conway (21) back and end the first stand. New Zealand fell to 112-5 after skipper Kane Williamson (27) was run out in the 28th over, despite Finn Allen’s breezy 35. Jimmy Neesham (36), Glenn Phillips (47), and Mitchell Santner (30) drew them back into the game before Mitchell Starc sought the final two New Zealand wickets in consecutive deliveries to seal the hosts’ victory.
