NZ VS AUS - 3rd ODI, Australia tour of New Zealand, 2017

From Wade's severe misfortune on captaincy debut to Stoinis's epic innings being tragically lonesome, from Napier's glaring inadequacy against backdated rains to New Zealand's obvious lack of killer instinct at times --- this series was what makes you grateful for who you are. Hosts win it, as is the contemporary trend that's almost on the verge of graduating into an incredulous law. But it was fun, bringing this series to you. For now, it's a goodbye from Pratyush Sinha. My colleagues Vineet Anantharaman and Reddy take leave too. Take care, be nice, ta-ta!

Man of the Match - Trent Boult (Figures of 10-1-33-6)

Boult kept chipping at the other end, feeding well on the middle overs too claustrophobic for run-scoring. And when Stoinis was out to him in the 40th over, it felt like that was it. But, but, Starc has a way of defying, whether be it his freakish leg injuries or our modern day-bred hurried assumptions. A 51-run stand for the 9th wicket with Cummins nearly sealed the game, given it came at 9.27rpo, only for Boult to roar back with a stunning spell, well backed by Southee's spotless yorkers. But this has been quite a game, it has to be said, in perfect alignment with the idea of a Trans-Trasman classic.

06:48pm local: What a game. Both sides had a sniff at a win once, both sides seemed to have bungled the advantage once, but both recovered.. New Zealand just enough to snatch home a 2-0 series win in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. 281 was an about-par score lacking intimidation, and at 44/0, Australia seemed to be on course Boult picked two in an over - eighth of the innings - and then Williamson's spell graduated into Australia's doom. He went for 11 runs in his first over, seven in the next, and then had a well-set Finch in his third. And from thereon, every over was an advocation of Williamson's immense self-belief and in his Sodhi's non-selection on a pitch expected to be slow.

Boult to Hazlewood, out Bowled!! There's the win for New Zealand. And courtesy that, Australia are no longer the top-ranked ODI side, South Africa are. Hazlewood backs away, looks to drive but trims it back on the stumps. Hazlewood b Boult 4(5) [4s-1]

Boult to Hazlewood, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Boult to Hazlewood, FOUR, unrelenting spirit from Australia. Hazlewood sees the width, sees that he can get under the length and ramps it up and over point. Runs away

Boult to Hazlewood, no run, now nearly falls him with a sharp bouncer. Quick, well directed, much unlike Australia's chase right now

Boult to Hazlewood, no run, dipping yorker in front of the stumps, Hazlewood slides back and makes room to jam it out

Boult to Hazlewood, no run, pushed into the off-side sans any footwork

Josh Hazlewood, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Boult to Zampa, out Caught by Ross Taylor!! There, there, a slip pays off --- One-Day cricket, are you watching? A back of a length delivery that's been half-deliberately sliced straight to slip. Opened by the angle from over the wicket and then the skid off the pitch. Zampa dabbles, Zampa adjusts by opening thw bat face but the thick edge absolutely flies, giving Boult a five-for. Well deserved. Zampa c Ross Taylor b Boult 1(5)

Boult to Zampa, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Equation: 29 off the last 4 overs, 2 wickets in hand. They decide to have a slip..

Southee to Zampa, 1 run, caps off a near-perfect over that evolved from a wide to something truly stunning. Full, very full ball, and the inside edge runs to long-on

Southee to Zampa, no run, and now Southee bowls a wide yorker outside off. Zampa bends, Zampa reaches out but it's through his under-edge. Good stop by the keeper

Southee to Zampa, no run, another yorker kept out. New Zealand are trying everything! This tails back in and has been blocked in front of leg-stump. Points shared between Southee and Zampa on this one

Southee to Zampa, no run, full ball and it's been delicately pushed into the off-side. Always meant to be a defence. They can do it in singles. They just have to survive

Southee to Starc, 1 run, he had preempted the slog. Moved leg-side, and swung but it's been bowled brilliantly. Very full on the stumps, no room to get under and we have a single to long-on

Southee to Starc, no run, now a ravishing yorker from over the wicket to the left-hander. Dipping right in front of off and perhaps damaging the toe-end, as Starc keeps it out