Australia defeat New Zealand after near-collapse to even ODI series

Australia defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets with 21 balls remaining in the 2^nd ODI as they successfully chased a score of 281/9 by scoring 283/6 by the 46th over. With this win, the three-match series between the two teams is tied at one a piece.

New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first. Their openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum combined for 59 runs in total. Guptill made 31 runs from 45 balls while hitting 4 fours. He was caught by Usman Khawaja on a Mitchell Marsh delivery.

McCullum, on the other hand, scored 28 runs from just 12 deliveries. He made the most of his time at the crease, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes. He was bowled by Scott Boland.

Kane Williamson was the leading scorer for New Zealand. He held fast at the crease and scored 60 runs from 74 deliveries before being caught by Steven Smith on an Adam Zampa delivery.

New Zealand got more steady support down the order as Mitchell Santner scored an undefeated 45 runs from 39 deliveries. Adam Milne added 36 runs from 27 balls before being caught by Smith on a Josh Hazlewood delivery.

Hazlewood was the highest wicket taker for Australia as he claimed 3 wickets while allowing 61 runs from 10 overs. Boland, Zampa and Marsh claimed 2 wickets each for Australia while allowing 61, 57 and 30 runs respectively.

Australia got immense production from their openers. Usman Khawaja scored a half century from 49 balls including 7 fours. He was caught and bowled by Mitchell Santner.

David Warner almost scored a century as he was dismissed for 98 runs which he had claimed from 79 deliveries. He hit 8 fours and 4 sixes en route to his masterful performance. He was dismissed LBW on a Santner delivery.

The next three batsmen failed to inspire confidence as they managed to score a combined 8 runs. Steven Smith came on next and found himself dismissed for just 2 runs from 12 deliveries. He was caught by Ronchi on a Matt Henry delivery.

George Bailey was dismissed for a golden duck. Maxwell was out for 6 runs and Matthew Wade managed just 2 runs. A collapse seemed imminent for Australia. But Mitchell Marsh injected some life in the Australian batting lineup as he scored an unbeaten 69 runs from 72 deliveries including 9 fours.

John Hastings held his own as well as he scored an unbeaten 48 runs from 47 deliveries including 5 fours and 1 six. The duo of Marsh and Hastings helped salvage what would have been a noteworthy collapse by the Australian batsmen.