Canberra, Dec 6:
David Warner slammed his sixth one-day century of the year to lead Australia to a crushing 116-run victory to reclaim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series of New Zealand here today.
Warner smashed 119 off 115 balls to propel the Australians to an imposing 378 for five after being sent into bat and then bowled out the Black Caps for 262 off 47.2 overs at the bat-friendly Manuka Oval.
New Zealand had to win in Canberra to keep alive their hopes of retaining the trophy after losing by 68 runs in the opening game in Sydney on Sunday.
Warner led the way in Australia’s third-highest ODI total and was supported by skipper Steve Smith’s 72 off 76 balls and Travis Head’s 57 from 32 balls, while Mitchell Marsh bludgeoned seven sixes in a unbeaten 76 off just 40 balls.
The Black Caps had a go at Australia’s hefty total and were 177 for three when Jimmy Neesham fell in the 31st over for 74 and ended a 125-run stand with skipper Kane Williamson.
Williamson was dismissed nine overs later for 81 off 80 balls with five fours and two sixes and with him went New Zealand’s remote chance of reeling in the Australian target.
Williamson’s gamble to send the Australians into bat back-fired spectacularly when the home side feasted on a perfect batting wicket.
The pugnacious Warner set the tone with his 10th ODI century off 101 balls to continue his outstanding form with the white ball.
It was his third century in his last five ODI innings and his first against New Zealand.
Only three other Australian batsmen have scored more hundreds in ODIs — Ricky Ponting (30), Mark Waugh (18) and Adam Gilchrist (16).
Warner was out to a low catch from Williamson at cover off medium-pacer Colin de Grandhomme in the 37th over, ending a 145-run partnership with Smith.
Smith followed up his career highest ODI score of 164 in Sydney with 72.
The Australian skipper, who was struck a painful blow in the groin by a de Grandhomme delivery on 56, sliced to Mitchell Santner at deep point when he was on top of the New Zealand bowlers.
Head hit his second half-century of the series before he was caught off Tim Southee.
Marsh provided some late fireworks with some prodigious hitting including three consecutive sixes off Matt Henry in his lusty cameo.
The Black Caps lost both openers by the ninth over with Tom Latham caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood for four and Martin Guptill caught behind off Pat Cummins for 45. (PTI)
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