‘Get it out of your head’: NZ’s big challenge as Aussie duo answer call after ‘bad’ start – LIVE

“He’s smart cricket but poor batting.”

“Well bowled and also well captained there by Williamson there,” added Brad Haddin.

“He moved his second slip to a floating gully, which means that with this shot Inglis had to try to hit the ball hard and not guide it down. He had to change his tactics and hit the ball instead of trying to use rhythm.”

Australia’s Aaron Finch walks into the field in his final ODI match. (Photo by Saeed Khan / AFP) Source: AFP

Trent Boult was 1-7 from six overs to start, putting New Zealand in a strong position in what Kerry O’Keeffe described as a “good innings” before Lockie Ferguson came on.

O’Keeffe said it was a “roll of the dice” put in by Ferguson that gave Smith and Labuschagne a chance to strike.

“It’s either going to blister and be a strike player financially or it’s going to leak,” O’Keeffe said.

“What will it be today? It’s an X-factor, but it can be wrong.

“They’re looking to hit some early limits on Lockie Ferguson. That’s the exhaust valve. Can they get Lockie Ferguson?

Smith and Labuschagne, who had initially played the patient game, began to find success against Ferguson in the 15th over, getting eight runs including a boundary.

Steve Smith steadied the ship. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The pair continued to tick over during the runs for Australia, leaving New Zealand in a tricky position trying to break down the duo who were able to steady the ship and combine for 50.

“The criticism of having Smith and Labuschagne in the same team is that they are both similar in their methods, but when you are two for not many, they are the ideal three and four,” O’Keeffe said.

“They love the art of batting together. Their partnerships are strong. They really love each other’s company at the crease.”

Labuschagne then hit two quick boundaries off Ferguson to continue to pile the pressure on New Zealand, who could not find an answer to break the duo.

With Smith and Labuschagne putting together a solid partnership, the Aussies looked for a solid score between 200 and 250.

Given New Zealand’s struggles with the bat in the first two matches, Smith said the Kiwis needed to put bad memories “out of their heads”.

talking with Fox Cricket before Sunday’s game, Finch had said he was “very comfortable” with the decision to retire from the ODI format and hoped to go out on a high note.

“It’s the right time,” he said.

“It’s time for someone else to take the team in a new direction, the direction they want to go. It’s been a good ride and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, captained by Kane Williamson Fox Cricket his side is still “trying to get familiar with the surface.”

“It tends to suffer a little bit,” he added.

“Having said that, I think there is something for the bowlers throughout the game. We will use it first to try and put the ball in the right areas.”

Finch said he would also “probably” have chosen to bowl if he had won the toss, but welcomed the chance Australia’s top order could test himself after struggles throughout the series.

“I was really happy to lose it, it was one of those where I probably would have bowled if I’d won the toss, but I wasn’t too disappointed,” he said.

“I think it’s an area that our top order needs to continue to improve.”

Unfortunately, the top-order problems continued, with Smith and Labuschagne tasked with trying to steer Australia back in the right direction.

Injured all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was ruled out on Saturday, while David Warner was released from the squad to rest, with Josh Inglis and Cameron Green joining the side.

Stoinis lasted just six balls with the bat and bowled just three overs in the second ODI in Cairns on Thursday which Australia won by 113 runs.

With the three-game series over and Sunday’s final game on dead rubber, he’ll be getting treatment for a low-grade side strain.

“Stoinis will undergo rehabilitation treatment in Perth leading into the tour of India,” Cricket Australia said, a three-game T20 series later this month.

Pace bowler Nathan Ellis, who has played three ODIs, was selected as a replacement.

Opener Warner was given time off “given the heavy workload over the next 12 months and the assured series”.

For New Zealand, Finn Allen replaces Martin Guptill, while Glenn Phillips replaces Michael Bracewell and Ferguson is a late addition in place of Matt Henry.

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