Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: New Zealand tour of Australia, 2016 Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Date & Time: Dec 09, 02:20 PM LOCAL

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the third and final One-Day International of the Chappell-Hadlee series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In what is a dead rubber, given that Australia lead the three-match series 2-0, the home side have opted to field an unchanged side which means, Glenn Maxwell has been overlooked once again.

Australia bounced back rather well to reclaim the silverware after their 5-0 thrashing in South Africa in the format. Skipper Steve Smith and David Warner made vital contributions with the bat, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have led from the front with the ball. New Zealand, however, have been shoddy across departments. And unless that changes on the day, they're in for a whitewash.

Huge wicket for New Zealand! Steven Smith has tormented them this series but not today says Boult. This was well worked by the Kiwis as Boult comes around the wicket and bowls one on the skipper's hips, who glances it straight to backward square leg. Australia are in trouble early in the game. George Bailey joins David Warner out in the middle.

Just eleven balls into the innings, Trent Boult has struck for New Zealand! Poor shot from Finch as he finishes the series on a disappointing note. It was bowled full and outside off, the batsman gets a thickish inside edge as the ball comes into him. He hits it straight to Nicholls, who is stationed at square leg.

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(c), Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro, BJ Watling(w), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith(c), George Bailey, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade(w), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood

are ✈️ first class 🍾🍾

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So, that' the end of what was a completely one-sided series. It was a good comeback for Australia after a forgettable series against South Africa, albeit this was a different format all together. They will be looking to take this confidence into the Test series against Pakistan starting next week. Do join us then. Cheers!

Steven Smith: "Wasn't a bad one, nice way to finish [referring to his catch]. We put complete performance in all three games. We needed something like this after South Africa. Guys in the top four going on to get hundreds and bowlers executing the plans [on what went right]. We did the basics right in the series. The three fast bowlers have bowled well in the series and good to see Pat (Cummins) back in the team and performing."

Kane Williamson: "Very good [Australia's performance]. They were good in all departments. They had batsmen scoring hundreds in all three games. Today was a bit more disappointing. We had to play very well to chase, but it was gettable. We needed partnerships but it was a tough wicket to bat on. Credit to Warner for scoring 150+ on that wicket. Would like to thank the supporters, who came all the way to back us."

David Warner (MoM & MOS): "It is always special to put runs on the board. Credit to the bowlers for executing the plans. Little bit tired. My first coach, until I was 16-17 passed away and I will catch up with his family once I get home [regarding his black armband]. I have to keep working harder."

Steven Smith dives full length to his right at second slip and picks up a one-handed catch. That's the end of Trent Boult, second wicket for Pat Cummins as New Zealand fold for 147 to suffer an emphatic 117-run loss. Australia have clinched the Chappell-Hadlee Series 3-0.