AUS VS NZ ODI

Right then, the Australian players join Aaron Finch to lift the trophy and celebrate a thumping series win. The skipper will be lifting an ODI Trophy for the last time and he will be quite emotional. The players pose for a team photo and that brings an end to a pretty one-sided series. The Kiwis will now play a T20I tri-series at home against Pakistan and Bangladesh with their first game on 8th October (Saturday) at 11.30 am IST (6 am GMT) against Pakistan. Australia will travel to India for a three-match T20I series with the first game on 20th September (Tuesday) at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). The cricketing action continues though as Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final. Kindly switch tabs and follow the build-up to an exciting game. From our side, it is goodbye and cheers!

Aaron Finch the skipper of Australia says that the partnership between Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne was brilliant and to get to over 260 after the slow start was good to see. Mentions that his family has sacrificed a lot for him and he will always be grateful for that. Adds that they go to Sydney for a photo shoot and then travel to India for their series on Thursday therefore not much of a turnaround for them. Informs that there are so many people to thank starting from his club to everyone who supported him throughout his career. He mentions that he is grateful to his wife and kids who always stood by his side in ups and downs.

Kane Williamson the captain of New Zealand says that they put up an improved performance but credits Australia for the quality they have shown through the series. Adds that there were some moments throughout the series where they were on top but Australia were able to reverse it every time and they have a lot to learn from their quality opposition. Mentions that they need to adapt to conditions quickly and put pressure on teams whenever they have the opportunity. Ends by praising Aaron Finch for his outstanding ODI career and for being a wonderful contributor to the game.

Steven Smith has been adjudged Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series for his outstanding batting effort throughout the series. He says that his main goal is to contribute to the success of the team. Adds that it is difficult to open the innings while batting with the way the Kiwi opening bowlers are playing. Mentions that he loves batting at number 3 but he will do whatever his team requires. Ends by saying that Aaron Finch has been great for Australian cricket for over 10 years and everyone is sad to see him go.

Time for the presentation...

New Zealand began the game well putting pressure on the opponents right from the word go. They, unfortunately, came across the stubborn duo of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who put on a 100-run plus partnership to get Australia to safety. Steven Smith scored a brilliant century to continue his good run in the series. Alex Carey and Cameron Green finished well to get their team to a good total. Trent Boult bowled really well and was economical through his spell taking a couple of wickets. The rest of the bowlers were a touch too expensive and in the end, the total proved to be out of reach despite the fight shown by some of the batters. They all got to double figures but none of them were able to reach half-centuries.

Australia did not start well with the ball bowling far too many loose deliveries but once they got the openers dismissed, they managed to gain control of the game. Sean Abbott and Cameron Green were the ones to take the wickets after the opening bowlers failed to make an impact and they kept bowling with discipline. Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood took a wicket each in the middle overs and a silly run out of the Kiwi captain had them right on top in the game. The visitors, however, were able to put on a couple of 50-run partnerships to take the game to the death. Mitchell Starc who had not performed well until then came back to bowl a lovely over dismissing Glenn Phillips and Sean Abbott took the wicket of Mitchell Santner. After that, it was just an exhibition of dot balls as they were able to defend the target with relative ease. Mitchell Starc wiped the tail out and ended with three wickets while Sean Abbott and Cameron Green took two each.

New Zealand got off to a positive start putting on a 49-run partnership for the opening wicket but both the openers departed after getting off to decent starts. Kane Williamson continued to struggle as he played in a labored manner in an attempt to build an inning. When he departed, the Kiwis had lost five wickets for the score of 112 on the board. James Neesham and Glenn Phillips got together and put on a 61-run partnership in just 58 balls to get a bit of momentum on their side. The former was dismissed on 36 after which Mitchell Santner joined forces with Glenn Phillips to take the game deep. They needed 46 runs in the last 30 balls which looked quite achievable. Glenn Phillips departed three runs short of his half-century and when Mitchell Santner followed soon after all hopes of a win were crushed. The visitors put on a better performance this time with the bat but have still fallen short.

Australia have bowled out their opponents and handed their outgoing captain a comprehensive series win! This game looked like it will go to the wire but in the end, the hosts have cantered to a comfortable 25-run win over their helpless opponents. They have white-washed the series and New Zealand will have to wait for an elusive win against the Aussies in their backyard. This game was closely contested all through, up until the last four overs when things just fell apart for the Kiwis. They will have to rework their plans with the T20 World Cup right around the corner.

OUT! TAKEN! That is that for the New Zealand innings and Aaron Finch ends his ODI career with a great win. Mitchell Starc serves a full delivery and outside off, Trent Boult makes room to hit it, but slices it up in the air and towards deep extra cover. Marnus Labuschagne runs towards it from the deep and pouches it safely while sliding in. AUSTRALIA WIN THE MATCH BY 25 RUNS AND COMPLETE THE WHITEWASH AS THEY TAKE THE SERIES 3-0. The players from both the sides congratulate Aaron Finch on his brilliant ODI career.

OUT! TIMBER! Mitchell Santner fires in a yorker, on middle, angling in, Lockie Ferguson moves across to work it to the leg side, but misses his flick and the ball sneaks through between his legs to crash onto the stumps. Australia one wicket away from victory now.

Starc pitches it up and on middle, Lockie Ferguson tucks it away towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Another full delivery, on off, Tim Southee drills it towards long off again for a run.

Full and on off, Tim Southee mistimes his lofted shot towards long off for a brace.

Mitchell Starc to bowl the last over.

Another short ball, but slower this time on middle, Lockie Ferguson is through his pull shot early and misses to catch the ball on elbows. 31 runs needed in 6 balls.

Short and on middle, Tim Southee pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.