Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in fine touch for Australia in final practice match against NZ

Australia have wrapped up their three-match series against NZ with a Duckworth-Lewis win, with Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell leading the way with the bat.

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Coach Justin Langer said he slept well after Smith’s “heart-warming” – and unbeaten – 89 (77) on Wednesday and the coach is likely to nod off quickly on Friday night’s flight to Gallipoli.

On Friday, Smith’s eloquent 91 not-out (108) was nearly upstaged by Maxwell’s adventurous shots as the pair unsettled New Zealand with their second entertaining partnership in three days.

Steve Smith scored 91 not out against New Zealand on Friday. Picture: AAP

After putting on 81 (78) on Wednesday, the 360-degree hitters added 104 (91) on Friday as Australia won on Duckworth-Lewis when bad light stopped play at 5/248.

Australia won by five wickets after New Zealand posted 9/287 from its 50 overs, delivering it a 2-1 result after three practice matches at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field in five days.

It was a dazzling mix of punch and finesse for Smith.

The eloquent batsman moved to 47 with a slog-sweep boundary and then a powerful cut-shot to the rope brought him to 57.

While Usman Khawaja (23), Shaun Marsh (32) and Marcus Stoinis (15) fell around him, Smith looked untroubled by New Zealand’s attack.

Smith was on 58 when Stoinis fell and was largely overshadowed by Maxwell from thereon.

It appeared Glenn Maxwell hadn’t finished packing his bags at the team hotel.

Glenn Maxwell chimed in with an impressive 70. Picture: AAP

Maxwell, who made 52 (44) on Wednesday, smashed five fours and two sixes to bring up a 37-ball half-century, and then crunched a reverse-sweep for six.

He eventually fell for 70 (48) but had boosted Australia well ahead of the par score as bad light loomed.

Pat Cummins claimed an early wicket but Australia found the going slow at Allan Border Field.

WARNER MISSES OUT

DAVID Warner’s scores of 39, 0 and 2 appear alarming, but Australia wasn’t too concerned.

Warner was striking the ball like few in the world can at the recent Indian Premier League and his form in the nets in Brisbane was encouraging.

New Zealand bowled too short to him on Monday and learnt its lessons, knocking him over cheaply in the next two games.

STARC BUILDING

MITCHELL Starc’s quest to rediscover his 2015 World Cup form took another strong step on Friday.

Starc sent down eight overs on Friday (1/38) after bowling five overs (2/14) on Wednesday, and pace doesn’t appear to be a problem.

Mitchell Starc is getting back to his best as he continues his return from injury. Picture: AAP

Australia’s speed gun, according to Kane Richardson, clocked Starc at 148km/h on Wednesday and on Friday he had the ball swinging in an ominous sign for batsmen around the world.

“He was unstoppable in that (2015) World Cup so if he’s anywhere near there it’ll be very valuable,” captain Aaron Finch said on Friday.

“He’s a world-class bowler, he’s proved it in big tournaments in big games in big moments that he can get the job done.

“Really encouraging. He’s been swinging the ball the last couple of days, which is such a valuable asset, especially at the top of the order.”

YOUNG

AUSTRALIA’S attack will be pleased Kiwi batsman Will Young is headed home for surgery.

Young’s scores of 60 (69), 130 (132) and 111 (108) came despite the urgent need of shoulder surgery to allow him to throw again.

The 26-year-old is playing the long game, wanting to get his arm right so he can have a long and, hopefully, uninterrupted career.

Will Young proved a tough nut to crack for the Australian bowlers for the third time in a week. Picture: AAP

Somerville 18* Tickner 3* push the New Zealand XI to 286/9 from their 50 overs. Will Young top scoring with 111. #AUSXIvNZXI pic.twitter.com/hUfuE3ADpE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) May 10, 2019

The run chase gives Usman Khawaja a handy opportunity to try and sew up a place in the starting XI.

Khawaja will open with David Warner with Steve Smith at No. 3 and Shaun Marsh at No.4.

Marsh and Khawaja appear pitched in a battle for the final place in the top order, given Warner, Smith and captain Aaron Finch are all locked in.

Teams

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff

New Zealand: Hamish Rutherford, George Walker, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Tom Latham (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Will Somerville, Matt Henry, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner

LISTEN: Australian Aussie bowling coach Adam Griffiths, the Courier Mail’s Robert Craddock and Sam Landsberger from the Herald Sun join Menners for all the latest news from Australia’s pre-World Cup camp in Brisbane.

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Originally published as Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in fine touch for Australia in final practice match against NZ