New Zealand’s horror record in Australia has continued, with a collapse in Cairns consigning them to another ODI defeat, taking their winless run back to 2009.
Despite failures from Australia’s top order, most notably Aaron Finch, the hosts managed to put a respectable score on the board and secure a 113-run victory, the Kiwis by 82.
Australia now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, having won the first match on Tuesday.
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Trailing at 5-54 at one stage, a solid 61 from Steve Smith, as well as a cameo from Glenn Maxwell, steadied the ship, before Australia’s last three batsmen – Mitch Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood – combined for 77 runs to lead Australia. at 9-195.
Any fears that this goal wasn’t enough to defend him were quickly dispelled.
Martin Guptill came in to open, while Devon Conway and Kane Williamson scratched to little effect before the former was dismissed in the ninth over, with the team score at just 14.
Starc strikes early for Australia
The world number one ODI team looked anything but as there was very little fight back after Williamson’s 58-ball 17, although late resistance from Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner was enough to propel them through over his lowest ODI score (64) and his worst against Australia (74 in 1982).
In the end, it was the sixth-worst total ever in an ODI, and the worst since being bowled out for 79 against India in 2016.
“To be honest, I didn’t do the best I could,” a humble Zampa said afterwards.
“Full toss to Kane, the ball didn’t come out as well as I would have liked, but that’s the way it is sometimes,” he said of a somewhat fortunate LBW dismissal from the Kiwi captain.
Australian players congratulate Adam Zampa after Tim Southee’s wicket. (Getty)
New Zealand had won nine of 10 50-over matches in 2022, before their total losses for the year tripled this week.
The series will end on Sunday afternoon.
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