Match reports

†AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND 1980-81

At Sydney, February 3

15-Apr-1982
At Sydney, February 3. Australia won by six wickets. It was hardly surprising after the anguish of the previous match that New Zealand lost this fourth encounter, and with it the finals. Having won the toss, they made too few runs, in spite of another superb start by Wright and Edgar. Howarth kept the rate going, and at 171 for three in the 41st over, it looked as if New Zealand might finish with something in the region of 250. Instead, in trying to maintain the impetus, the lower middle-order got themselves out. On an excellent pitch, a score of 215 was never likely to be enough, especially with Greg Chappell playing another fine innings. It was disappointing for New Zealand, but they had run Australia closer in the finals than most people expected and had every reason to feel that they were unfairly treated in the second of the Melbourne games. As this victory in Sydney gave Australia a three-one lead, the fifth and final match was not played. Greg Chappell was named Man of the Finals.