Stunning Smith, steaming Ferguson
Plays of the day from the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney
Brydon Coverdale in Sydney
04-Dec-2016
Steven Smith showed his lightning reflexes with a one-handed catch at backward point • Getty Images
The stunner
When you're hot, you're hot. Steven Smith followed up his 164 with a catch at slip to get rid of Kane Williamson, and then a truly special take at backward point to end BJ Watling's innings. Watling slashed hard at a short, wide ball from Mitchell Marsh, and Smith, with barely any time to react, dived to his left to pluck a remarkable catch. When he got up off the turf, even Smith looked surprised at his achievement.
When you're hot, you're hot. Steven Smith followed up his 164 with a catch at slip to get rid of Kane Williamson, and then a truly special take at backward point to end BJ Watling's innings. Watling slashed hard at a short, wide ball from Mitchell Marsh, and Smith, with barely any time to react, dived to his left to pluck a remarkable catch. When he got up off the turf, even Smith looked surprised at his achievement.
The sitter
Occasionally in international cricket - very occasionally - you see a fielder fluff a chance so easy that it looks almost harder to drop than to catch. Such was the case when Travis Head tried to drive James Neesham over mid-off, but failed to gain the necessary elevation. The ball came straight to Matt Henry, who only had to lift his hands to head height to take the straightforward catch. He got his hands there all right, but the ball inexplicably slipped straight through them. Head was on 7 at the time, and went on to make 52.
Occasionally in international cricket - very occasionally - you see a fielder fluff a chance so easy that it looks almost harder to drop than to catch. Such was the case when Travis Head tried to drive James Neesham over mid-off, but failed to gain the necessary elevation. The ball came straight to Matt Henry, who only had to lift his hands to head height to take the straightforward catch. He got his hands there all right, but the ball inexplicably slipped straight through them. Head was on 7 at the time, and went on to make 52.
The 13th man
It's been a big few days for Glenn Maxwell. On Thursday, he caused controversy with his comments about batting behind Matthew Wade at Victoria. On Saturday, Smith announced that Maxwell had been fined by the team leadership group for the comments, but was available for selection in this match. But Maxwell was left out of the XI, and was not even listed as 12th man, with James Faulkner officially nominated instead. And yet, when Maxwell made an appearance on the field during New Zealand's chase, he took a potentially match-defining catch. Martin Guptill, already on 114, pulled Adam Zampa to midwicket, where Maxwell parried the ball up and caught it on the second take. Not surprisingly, he was all smiles - and so were his team-mates.
It's been a big few days for Glenn Maxwell. On Thursday, he caused controversy with his comments about batting behind Matthew Wade at Victoria. On Saturday, Smith announced that Maxwell had been fined by the team leadership group for the comments, but was available for selection in this match. But Maxwell was left out of the XI, and was not even listed as 12th man, with James Faulkner officially nominated instead. And yet, when Maxwell made an appearance on the field during New Zealand's chase, he took a potentially match-defining catch. Martin Guptill, already on 114, pulled Adam Zampa to midwicket, where Maxwell parried the ball up and caught it on the second take. Not surprisingly, he was all smiles - and so were his team-mates.
The run-out
It has been a tough month for Marsh. Dropped from the Test side after the opening match against South Africa in Perth, he now faces an uncertain future in the baggy green. But he remains a first-choice one-day player for the time being, and was chosen ahead of Faulkner, Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright in Sydney. When he walked out to bat at No.5, with Australia on 3 for 89, the opportunity was there to build a big innings. But Marsh had faced only three balls when he backed up too far - so far that Neesham could have mankaded him - and was caught short when Smith's straight drive rocketed through Neesham's hands and onto the stumps.
It has been a tough month for Marsh. Dropped from the Test side after the opening match against South Africa in Perth, he now faces an uncertain future in the baggy green. But he remains a first-choice one-day player for the time being, and was chosen ahead of Faulkner, Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright in Sydney. When he walked out to bat at No.5, with Australia on 3 for 89, the opportunity was there to build a big innings. But Marsh had faced only three balls when he backed up too far - so far that Neesham could have mankaded him - and was caught short when Smith's straight drive rocketed through Neesham's hands and onto the stumps.
The quick impact
All week in the lead-up to this series, Lockie Ferguson has been the subject of discussion. After all, a fast bowler who can top 150 kph is a rare beast indeed. Would he live up to the hype? His first ball was 146.8 kph and was slammed down the ground for four by David Warner. His second ball cracked 150.4 kph, and then a 149.6 kph third delivery beat the bat. Then came 148.5 kph, then a short ball at 147.1 kph that was pulled for four. But off last ball of the over, Ferguson got some bounce at 148.5 kph and Warner chopped on, giving Ferguson his first international wicket, in his first over.
All week in the lead-up to this series, Lockie Ferguson has been the subject of discussion. After all, a fast bowler who can top 150 kph is a rare beast indeed. Would he live up to the hype? His first ball was 146.8 kph and was slammed down the ground for four by David Warner. His second ball cracked 150.4 kph, and then a 149.6 kph third delivery beat the bat. Then came 148.5 kph, then a short ball at 147.1 kph that was pulled for four. But off last ball of the over, Ferguson got some bounce at 148.5 kph and Warner chopped on, giving Ferguson his first international wicket, in his first over.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale