Steve Smith’s magnificent century in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand on a tough track helped Australia to score 267/5 in 50 overs.
Aaron Finch who is playing his last ODI game, could not do much damage to New Zealand and departed on the score of 6 in his last game after New Zealand invited Australia to bat first. Both the Australian openers Finch & Inglis walked away cheaply. But Steve Smith along with Marnus Labuschangne built 118 runs partnership for the third wicket.
Labuschangne got out after scoring 52 runs but Smith stood still on the crease and completed his 12th ODI hundred with immense patience in 132 balls. At the score of 105, Smith’s stump was knocked off by Mitchell Santner, afterwards, Alex Carey’s 42-run cameo & Chris Green’s quick fire 25 runs helped Australia to cross 265-run-mark.
Apart from Smith’s century, his game awareness was a part of discussion on social media edia among cricket fans. In the 37th over, Smith smacked a six on the second delivery and after the shot, he signalled the delivery for free-hit as the delivery was no-ball because there were 5 players standing at the boundary line.
According to the rules, only 4 players are allowed to stand at the boundary between 11-40 overs. After that, Umpire gave the signal of no-ball and Smith got a free hit to play although he could not score run on the free hit delivery of Jimmy Neesham.
