Australian pacer Sean Abbott was sensational with the new ball against New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-ODI series at Cazaly’s stadium, Cairns. Abbott now holds the record for best economy rate in an ODI innings (minimum 30 balls).
He broke West Indies pacer Phil Simmons 29-year-old record. Simmons had conceded just three runs from his 10 overs in an ODI against Pakistan in Sydney on December 17, 1992. Simmons bowled a total of eight maiden overs and conceded three runs in the ODI.
On the other hand, Abbott conceded just a single in the five overs he bowled. His economy rate in the ODI was 0.20. He bowled four consecutive maidens including 28 dot deliveries on the trot. He picked up the wickets of Devon Conway and Tom Latham as well to break New Zealand's back in the powerplay overs of the low-scoring run chase. As a result, the visitors found themselves struggling at 14/3.
The 30-year-old was picked in the side in place of Cameron Green, who scored a match-winning unbeaten 89 in the previous ODI.
Abbott also broke Glenn McGrath’s ODI record as well. He bowled the most consecutive dot balls at the start of his spell. McGrath bowled 27 consecutive dot deliveries against England in July 2005.
Chasing 196, New Zealand could not recover from the early blows and got bundled out for 82. Abbott’s services were not used in the middle overs as leg-spinner Adam Zampa picked up his maiden fifer in ODI cricket.
Australia took an unassailable lead in the three-ODI series. It also extended New Zealand’s losing streak in ODI series on Australian soil. Their last ODI win while visiting Australia came way back in 2009 under the leadership of Daniel Vettori.
