Former Australian Captain Steve Smith ensured a 3-0 whitewash for Australian against New Zealand with a century after 2 years in ODIs, scoring 105 runs off 131 balls, as he bids farewell to current captain Aaron Finch in what was his final ODI outing.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult looked fearful as he had washed out the Australian top order in the first two ODIs and took an early wicket of Josh Inglis in the final ODI. Finch fell prey to Tim Southee in the very next over and Australia were 2-19 in the first 10 overs with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the middle.
The pair had no plans of vanishing and lodged a 118 run partnership, both of them raising their bat in successive overs to put up their half centuries. Smith then went on to score a century and Australia put up a total of 267 to defend.
Mitchell Starc and co. successfully defended the total to win the match and complete the whitewash by 25 runs. Starc took 3 wickets, including the final wicket to end the Black Caps’ chase in the penultimate ball of the match.
Aaron Finch’s ODI captaincy and career comes to an end with a high, who also received a standing ovation as he departed from the crease.
Steve Smith among active players
Steve Smith now sits fifth on the list of most number of centuries among active players.
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