New Zealand could not break their long-running losing streak in ODIs on Australian soil even after a strong bowling display. The BlackCaps suffered a batting collapse of epic proportions as they were bundled out for 82 in the run chase of 196 at Cazaly's stadium, Cairns and lost the match by a huge margin of 113 runs.
The highest score in ODIs at the venue is below 250 but the 196-run target was not big enough to trigger a batting collapse of this sort. The chase got off to a horrendous start with Mitchell Starc getting rid of Martin Guptill in the first over itself. Sean Abbott contained the Kiwi batters and bowled four maiden overs on the trot. One of these overs included a double wicket-maiden. Devon Conway and Tom Latham got out in the ninth over as New Zealand were reduced to 14/3.
Australia continued to add more pressure. The tricky run chase looked tailormade for skipper Kane Williamson but his very defensive knock came to an end in the 19th over. Adam Zampa dismissed Williamson with a loopy delivery. Williamson scored just 17 runs from 58 deliveries. In Zampa's next over, Daryl Mitchell (10) followed his skipper back to the pavillion. New Zealand lost half of their side for a score of 38.
Marcus Stoinis joined the party as well and got the wicket of James Neesham. Starc came back into the attack and got the wicket of Bracwell (12). Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Trent Boult saved New Zealand from registering their lowest ODI total but could not save New Zealand from a big defeat. Zampa mopped up the tail as New Zealand got all out for 82 in 33 overs. Zampa registered his maiden fifer in the format.
Earlier, Australia's openers disappointed as well. Skipper Aaron Finch continued his poor run and got out for a two-ball duck to Henry in the second over. Warner (5) became Henry's second victim with the new ball. In the powerplay overs, Australia lost two more wickets. Marnus Labuschagne (5) and Stoinis (0) got trapped in front of the stumps by Boult. In the ninth over, the hosts were struggling at 26/4.
Alex Carey played himself in but could not capitalise. Carey (12) got deceived by Santner and got stumped out. With 54/5 in the 19th over, Smith and Maxwell stitched up a crucial partnership. Smith played a gem of an innings under pressure and got to his half-century. Just when Australia needed to accelerate, Maxwell (25) lost his wicket to Boult in the 33rd over. Soon enough, Australia found themselves in trouble again as Henry and Southee got the wickets of Abbott and Smith. The former Australian captain scored 61 runs from 94 deliveries including five fours and one six.
After Smith's wicket, Australia were 117/8 in the 37th over. Starc and Zampa shared a 31-run partnership. Once again, Boult broke the partnership and got Zampa's (16) wicket. In the slog overs, Starc and Hazlewood scored valuable runs. The two shared an unbeaten 47-run partnership, the fourth-highest 10th wicket partnership for Australia in ODIs. Hazlewood scored at a strike rate of 143.75 and remained unbeaten for 23 runs from 16 balls. On the other end, Starc scored 38 runs from 45 deliveries to help Australia post 195/9 and prevent them from getting all out.
With a thumping 113-run win, Australia have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-ODI series.
