Josh Hazlewood’s 6/52 helped Australia restrict New Zealand to 291
Edgbaston
Looks like a good pitch to bat on, Kane Williamson said when he won the toss. We would have bowled anyway, Steven Smith said in response.
For much of the innings it seemed that Williamson had made the better assessment as he amassed his first ODI century against Australia and a hefty total loomed, but a late collapse and a six-for from Josh Hazlewood kept Australia firmly in the contest in a rain-reduced match at Edgbaston.
Williamson was run out for an even 100 and it sparked a period of rapid decline for New Zealand, who lost their last seven wickets for 37 in the space of six overs. Josh Hazlewood mopped up the lower order in emphatic fashion, finishing with a career-best 6 for 52 as New Zealand failed by an over to last their reduced allotment of 46 overs.
Luke Ronchi blasted his way to a 33-ball half-century to justify his inclusion ahead of Tom Latham, before Williamson and Ross Taylor combined for a 99-run partnership that kept New Zealand on the right path.
The Australians were rusty in the field – Ronchi was dropped by Mitchell Starc at mid-on and also survived when Australia muffed what should have been a straightforward run-out – and looked like a side that had not played.
In fact, the only thing swinging in the early overs was Ronchi’s bat, as he thumped boundaries all around the ground. He lost his opening partner, Martin Guptill, whose leading edge was caught at point off Josh Hazlewood for 26.
A lengthy rain delay in the tenth over reduced the contest to 46 overs per side, and Ronchi scored quickly upon the resumption. His stay ended on 65 off 43 balls when he was caught at point off John Hastings, but New Zealand by that stage were 117 for 2 and had more than 30 overs remaining to build on their total. That was precisely what Williamson and Taylor set out to do, two of the most level-headed of international batsmen compiling a common-sense partnership that by just a single run failed to become their fourth consecutive ODI century stand in England.
John Hastings managed to deceive Taylor (46) with a slower cross-seamer that was skied to cover, but if the hundred partnership was not to eventuate then a personal century for New Zealand’s captain would have to suffice. Williamson brought up his hundred from his 96th delivery but perished soon afterwards, run out with eight fours and three sixes to his name.
And then came the carnage. Neil Broom was caught in the deep off Hazlewood, Corey Anderson skied a catch off Cummins in the next over, James Neesham whacked a catch to mid-on off Hazlewood in the next. And Hazlewood finished things quickly in his next over with three wickets in four balls, running through Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult. It left the Australians needing 292 from 46 overs – a big task, but a far from insurmountable one compared to what might have been.
