ANZ ODI, Game 3, Chappell-Hadlee
In short:
Serenity at Seddon
Serenity and sunshine (and sweat). Seddon Park was was immaculate, the weather spectacular and the buzz around the ground palpable. Chappell-Hadlee matches at Seddon Park have a habit of delivering stunners and the scene couldn’t have been set any better.
Beware of the beard
Since he last featured for the BLACKCAPS in 2014, Dean Brownlie has been busy scoring runs for the Northern Knights and growing hair. Boasting a bushy beard, Brownlie made a fine return to international cricket, with an important knock of 63 up top. Combined with Ross Taylor for a 100 run partnership and lay the platform for the BLACKCAPS early on.
A Taylor special 
A hometown hundred and a spectacular one at that. Taylor was at his ominous best enroute to 107 off 101 balls. Covered in class, Taylor showed some deft touches amongst an onslaught of powerful cuts and pulls as he guided the BLACKCAPS innings until the 47th over. The crowd rose for a standing ovation, as Taylor did his customary tongue out for the 16th time in ODIs - tying Nathan Astle for the most in NZ history.
Bit of a stumble 
At 176-2, the BLACKCAPS very much had 300 on their minds. Unfortunately though a mini collapse would change that thinking dramatically, with Neil Broom, Colin Munro and Jimmy Neesham all going cheaply. Reduced to 209-6, the BLACKCAPS were forced to reassess their situation.
Santner spark 
Mitchell Santner managed to rise the decibels in Seddon Park in the final over, taking Mitchell Starc for 15 runs. The bowling allrounder added the finishing touches expertly and remained unbeaten on 38 at the close of the innings.
Beige Boys 
Shout to these lads who we thought looked great.
Out of the gates
Australian captain Aaron Finch (56) and left hander Sean Marsh got the visitors chase off to a good start, clocking 44 runs for the opening stand in 7.4 overs. They played their shots and negated the early threats of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
Super Santner
Slide-grab-throw - all in one motion - Mitchell Santner is one of the best exponents of this in the modern game and Shaun Marsh (22) found that out the hard way. The run out broke the strong opening stand and was followed two balls later by Peter Handscombe playing on to Trent Boult for a duck.
Spin twins
As the pitch started to slow the spinners came into the game. Williamson and Santner had a terrific period through the middle where they picked up Finch and Glenn Maxwell and conceded just 10 runs in a five over period. Williamson’s overs crucially took the pressure off the fifth bowling option.
Head
The dangerous left hander patiently made his way to 50 and was ready to launch when he was stopped in his tracks by Dean Brownlie on the deep square leg fence. A superbly judged catch millimetres inside the rope right when it was needed. Clutch.
Rearguard
At 198-7 in the 40th over the Australians looked done. Nobody told Mitchell Starc (29 from 23) and Pat Cummins (27) who plundered four sixes between them to flip the game on its head. All of a sudden the visitors needed less than a run-a-ball with three wickets in hand. Things were tense on the bank!
Boulty's best
Cometh the hour - cometh the man. With Australia once again surging to an unlikely victory, the BLACKCAPS champion left armer stood up. He bounced out Cummins with a superb bumper and then took care of Zampa and Hazlewood to seal match. His ODI best of 6-33 every bit as world class as it reads. Winning big games for your country - that's what it's all about.
Roll on
The perfect home summer continues - the boys are 12 from 12 and have now won an incredible 22 of their last 24 ODIs at home. They've also dethroned the Aussies from the number one world ranking. Wow - breathe - take it all in - savour!
