Today Australia clinched a victory against New Zealand in the first ODI of 3-match ODI series (Chappell-Hadlee trophy 2016). Australia decided to bat first after winning the toss at SCG. Despite the top-order failure, some good middle order show along with skipper Steven Smith’s incredible century helped Australia reach the total of 324/8 in 50 overs.

In reply, fall of wickets at regular interval hurt the New Zealand team. The visitors were bundled out for 256 runs as the hosts won the match by 68 runs.

With this victory, Australia leading this 3-match ODI series by 1-0.

Brief Scores: Australia – 324/8 (Steven Smith 164, Travis Head 52, Trent Boult 2/51)

New Zealand – 256 (Martin Guptill 114, Colin Munro 49, Josh Hazlewood 3/49)

Result – Australia won by 68 runs

Some of the statistical highlights of the match are given below:

Australian skipper Steven Smith played an impressive innings in this match as he scored 164 runs. In this innings, Smith made some records which are as follows:

i) Steven Smith became the new highest individual ODI runs scorer at Sydney Cricket Ground. The previous best was 162* by South African batsman AB de Villiers against West Indies on 27^th February 2015.

ii) Also, Smith’s this 164 runs is the new highest score by an ODI captain in Australia. The previous best was 162* by South African skipper AB de Villiers (against West Indies at Sydney on 27^th February 2015).

iii) Smith became joint highest runs scorer as an Australian ODI captain. Smith equalled the record of Ricky Ponting’s 164-runs innings (against South Africa at Johannesburg on 12^th March 2006), which was previously the sole highest ODI score by an Australian captain.

iv) Smith also became 4^th highest individual ODI runs scorer for Australia in Australia.

v) Steven Smith became the second highest individual ODI runs scorer for Australia against New Zealand. 181* by Matthew Hayden (at Hamilton on 20^th February 2007) is still the highest ODI innings by an Australian batsman against New Zealand.

Australia made 324/8 in 50 overs after batting first. On Australian soil, it was Australia’s 2^nd highest ODI total against New Zealand. Australia’s highest ODI total against New Zealand on the Australian soil is 343/5 at Perth on 28^th January 2007.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson made his international debut in this ODI. Ferguson was very expensive as his bowling figure was 9-0-73-1. He became the bowler to concede most runs on ODI debut for New Zealand. The previous record holder was Danny Morrison (10-0-69-0 against India at Nagpur on 31^st October 1987).

New Zealand’s opening batsman Martin Guptill hit a brilliant century during chasing Australia’s total. Guptill scored 114 runs which is the new highest ODI score by a New Zealand opening batsman on the Australian soil. The previous best was 106 by Stephen Fleming against England at Brisbane on 6^th February 2007.

Also, Guptill became the third highest individual ODI scorer for New Zealand against Australia in Australia.

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa became Australia’s leading wicket-taker in 2016 ODIs. At the end of the match, Zampa has taken 30 ODI wickets this year. Today Zampa surpassed Australian pacer john Hastings (29 ODI wickets in 2016) to become the leading wicket-taker in 2016 ODIs.