Adam Zampa twists Kane Williamson's blood as bowlers lead Australia to ODI victory
Australia's imperious bowlers tore through the Kiwis - highlighted by a ball for the ages from Adam Zampa to dismiss Kane Williamson - to seal a crushing 71 run ODI victory, as cricket went behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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When Australia posted just 258 runs batting first at an empty SCG the total looked a little sub par, but we’ll never know because an excellent effort by the bowlers strangled the Kiwi top order and bullied what came next to win by 71 runs.
The Kiwis just don’t seem to like Australian conditions, disappointing here in the summer, they returned home and shone in a series win against India that pushed Virat Kohli over the edge.
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On return they will have resolved to do better in the shorter format than they had in the Tests last time, but it was the same old story.
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David Warner and Aaron Finch had set the game up with half centuries at the top of the innings, then failed to go on with the job in a stadium devoid of people or atmosphere.
Finch could have been out twice had the Kiwis reviewed but rode his luck to muscle a 75 ball 50 while Warner looked good for 67 from 88 balls before holing out.
Marnus Labuschagne’s excellent form continues, the middle order batsman guiding the rest of the misfiring middle order to the close.
The exciting young batsman made 56 from 52 balls and his anger at being dismissed in the final oval was a sign of his extraordinary application and the expectation he places on himself.
Australia was well held in the last 10 overs, hitting just two boundaries and failing to cash in on the good start.
Labuschagne’s half century was his eight from nine international innings at home this summer. Australia has resolved to give the misfiring middle order a longer run at it despite things not coming together on recent tours.
Mitch Marsh looked solid for 27 from 34 balls but even he struggled to find the boundary on a wicket that was keeping a bit low. The longer grass on a ground preparing itself for the first round of the AFL also hindered scoring. D’Arcy Short (5) and Alex Carey (1) were disappointing and Steve Smith only made 14 before being bowled by Mitchell Santner.
The Kiwi bats just don’t look comfortable facing the home side’s pace attack. Pat Cummins was ruthless and frugal, finishing with 3-35 from eight overs.
Marsh did well and took 3-29 while both Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood picked up two each.
Originally published as Adam Zampa twists Kane Williamson's blood as bowlers lead Australia to ODI victory