Warner stars with ton as Australia thrash Kiwis

Melbourne, Dec 9 (IANS) A century from David Warner coupled with some disciplined bowling helped Australia thrash New Zealand by 117 runs in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy here on Friday.

Australia have thus won the series 3-0.

Warner plundered 156 runs from 128 balls as Australia produced a total of 264/8 in their 50 overs after electing to bat first.

Warner batted through the innings, producing partnerships of 62, 105 and 48 runs with George Bailey, Travis Head and Matthew Wade respectively.

He hit 13 boundaries and four sixes before being run out in the last ball of the 50th over.

But the rest of the Australian top order could not handle the New Zealand fast bowlers with Aaron Finch (3) and Steven Smith (0) falling cheaply to Trent Boult.

Boult was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with figures of 3/49. Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme got a couple of wickets each.

In reply, the visitors were off to a confident start with Martin Guptill and Tom Latham producing an opening stand of 44 runs in the first nine overs.

But it was all downhill from there as fast bowler Mitchell Starc led the Australian fightback with a three-wicket haul.

Pat Cummins, James Faulkner and Travis Head picked up two wickets each as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals to be all out for 147 runs by the 37th over.

Brief scores:

Australia: 264/8 (David Warner 156; Trent Boult 3/49) vs New Zealand: 147 (Martin Guptill 34, Tom Latham 28; Mitchell Starc 3/34).

--IANS

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