Australia v New Zealand, 2016-17
Wisden's review of the first ODI, Australia v New Zealand, 2016-17
15-Apr-2017
At Sydney, December 4, 2016 (day/night). Australia won by 68 runs. Toss: Australia. One-day international debut: L. H. Ferguson.
Like the big kid in his backyard playing against others half his size, Smith took ownership of the SCG. His 164 from 157 balls set a personal best, and a ground record, beating A. B. de Villiers's 162 against West Indies at the 2015 World Cup. Later, he grabbed one of the catches of the year - a full stretch left-handed effort at gully off Watling's cut that ended with his face planted painfully in the dirt. New Zealand had begun well, removing Finch in the first over, before their debutant Lockie Ferguson - who topped 93mph with his second delivery - snared Warner. Australia were stumbling at 92 for four after 20 overs, but Smith tore away, adding 127 with Head, then 83 in six overs with Wade, and passing 1,000 one-day international runs in 2016. He was lucky to get there: on 14, Boult hit his pads, umpire Mick Martell said no, and New Zealand declined a review. Smith later said he glanced at his bat to give the impression he had edged the ball; technology would have overturned the decision. New Zealand needed 325, and Guptill's century was one of his best, the ball cracking off his bat like a rifle shot. He hit six sixes and lofted straight with ease, but his departure - for 114 from 102 balls - left them 185 for five from 33 overs, and no one else made 50.
Man of the Match: S. P. D. Smith.
Like the big kid in his backyard playing against others half his size, Smith took ownership of the SCG. His 164 from 157 balls set a personal best, and a ground record, beating A. B. de Villiers's 162 against West Indies at the 2015 World Cup. Later, he grabbed one of the catches of the year - a full stretch left-handed effort at gully off Watling's cut that ended with his face planted painfully in the dirt. New Zealand had begun well, removing Finch in the first over, before their debutant Lockie Ferguson - who topped 93mph with his second delivery - snared Warner. Australia were stumbling at 92 for four after 20 overs, but Smith tore away, adding 127 with Head, then 83 in six overs with Wade, and passing 1,000 one-day international runs in 2016. He was lucky to get there: on 14, Boult hit his pads, umpire Mick Martell said no, and New Zealand declined a review. Smith later said he glanced at his bat to give the impression he had edged the ball; technology would have overturned the decision. New Zealand needed 325, and Guptill's century was one of his best, the ball cracking off his bat like a rifle shot. He hit six sixes and lofted straight with ease, but his departure - for 114 from 102 balls - left them 185 for five from 33 overs, and no one else made 50.
Man of the Match: S. P. D. Smith.