Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI Highlights: Australia Defeat New Zealand By 25 Runs, Sweep ODI Series 3-0

We are back for the run chase. Finn Allen and Devon Conway are the two openers for New Zealand. Mitchell Starc to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Australia are clearly ahead in this game with a competitive score to defend on a difficult pitch and with the bowling attack, they possess. They will be looking to come out and take early wickets to seal a comprehensive clean sweep in the series. New Zealand will have to bat much better than they have throughout this series if they are to complete an unlikely victory. They have Super League points to play for and have strengthened their batting going into the game. We hope for a fighting performance from them when we return for the run chase. Do join us shortly for the reply.

Steven Smith the centurion is up for a chat and he starts by saying it was pretty tough work at the start of the innings. Says they needed to take time as the opponents have a really good bowling attack and Trent Boult was swinging the ball in. Claims that it was a really good partnership with Marnus Labuschagne. Adds that he wasn't overthinking while batting and chose his moments to take on the bowlers as it was all about playing smart. Ends by saying they have a decent total on the board.

The Kiwi bowlers began with discipline and fire just the way they have done all through the series. Both Trent Boult and Tim Southee got a wicket each early on and pegged their opponents on the back foot straight away. They were unable to break down the stubborn partnership between Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne as the runs kept piling on. Lockie Ferguson broke the partnership but by then a platform had been set for the big hitters of Australia to launch into an attack. They did keep chipping away at the wickets and did not let their opponents run away with the game and will hope that their batting clicks this time around to take them home. Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 wickets for 25 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. They would have hoped to restrict Australia closer to the 230-run mark with the way they started.

Australia got off to a poor start with their makeshift opener Josh Inglis departing early and their out-of-form skipper Aaron Finch following suit. He left the ground to a standing ovation in appreciation for his long and successful ODI career. His wicket brought Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to the wicket together and they began the rebuilding process. They found it difficult to score runs initially but they picked up the scoring rate as their innings progressed. They put on a 118-run partnership for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne being dismissed after a well-made half-century. Steven Smith was unstoppable though as he went on to score his 12th ODI century. He put on a 69-run partnership with Alex Carey to keep the scoreboard motoring along. Alex Carey and Cameron Green provided the finishing touches and pushed Australia close to the 270-run mark.

Quite a flourish from the hosts right at the end! Australia have clawed themselves to a comfortable position with 267 runs on the board. They will be really happy with this score on a difficult pitch and against an in-form bowling lineup. The bulk of the credit goes to Steven Smith who once again dragged Australia out of a pickle. New Zealand started well but once again faded as the game progressed and they will now have their task cut out if they are to seal a consolation win.

15 runs form the last over! This is full and on middle, Alex Carey drills it down to long on for a couple of runs. Australia finish on 267 for 5.

A low full toss again and on off, Cameron Green slaps it down to long off for a run.

SIX! Green sends this one into the stands. This is a slower one, pitched up and on leg, Cameron Green picks it up, waits for it and dispatches it over the deep sqaure leg fence for a maximum.

FOUR! This time Green does not miss out. This is another low full toss and on off, Cameron Green stays there and smashes it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

A slower ball, full and on off, Alex Carey goes down and scoops it towards short fine leg for a single.

A full toss and on leg, Cameron Green drives it down to long on for a run. Neesham gets lucky here as it was there to be put away.

A slower short ball, on middle, Cameron Green reads it this time and holds his pull shot to play it through square leg for a single. Boult finishes with 2 wickets for 25 runs in his 10 overs.

Goes fuller and on middle, Alex Carey drills it towards long on for a single.

Change of pace from Boult, on a length and outside off, Cameron Green guides it towards point for a run.

FOUR! Green looks in good touch here. Boult bowls this short of  length and on leg, Cameron Green uses his wrists to flick it away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

WIDE! This is full but way outside off, Green leaves it. Wided.

A slower ball, on a length and outside off, Cameron Green looks to play the ramp shot but gets beaten due to the lack of pace.

Trent Boult goes full and into the pads, Alex Carey clips this to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.