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Grant Elliot’s fifty ensures New Zealand post 246 against Australia in 3rd ODI at Hamilton

The third ODI between New Zealand and Australia is the series decider.

Grant Elliot scored a 50 in 3rd ODI vs Australia © Getty Images
Grant Elliot scored a 50 in 3rd ODI vs Australia © Getty Images

New Zealand were bundled out for 246 in the third One-Day International (ODI) against Australia at Hamilton on Monday. It is the third match of their ongoing three-match ODI series. Mat Henry remained unbeaten without scoring a run as Ish Sodhi was the last batsman to get out on the third delivery of the 46th over which ended the first innings of New Zealand.  However, it was Grant Elliot who took charge for New Zealand after the quick dismissals of the top-order batsmen. Although the openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill took New Zealand off to a superb start with a partnership of 84 runs off 9.3 overs for the 1st wicket. However, they failed to convert that into a big partnership and that might hurt the hosts later in the match when Australians take on their batting. LIVE SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd ODI at Hamilton

Hastings who went wicket-less in his seven overs finally bagged two wickets. He removed the final two batsmen of New Zealand—Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi—both for a duck. The 44th over also saw two dismissals made by the Australians. Mitchell Marsh who was the player of the match in the Wellington game dismissed the out of form batsman Luke Ronchi first followed by the removal of set batsman Elliot. The wicket-taker batsman has been under the radar and might not find a place in the playing XI in the next match threw away his wicket when he mis-timed and Scot Boland caught him at long-on.

Marsh earlier had dismissed McCullum, denying him a half-century in his final match. The other wickets were taken by Josh Hazlewood, who dismissed Corey Anderson and Henry Nicholas. READ: Brendon McCullum dismissed for 47 in his final ODI during New Zealand vs Australia, 3rd ODI at Hamilton

Guptill and McCullum’s dismissals were followed by a collapse with fall of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholas in quick succession. While McCullum missed a half-century by three runs in his final ODI of his career, Guptill brought up a superb 30th ODI fifty and their innings set the tone for New Zealand’s first innings. The New Zealand skipper ensured a special show for the Seddon Park’s crowd who had all gathered there just to watch him play one last time in the black jersey. McCullum scored a quick 47 runs in 27 balls and that innings was inclusive of six fours and three huge sixes.

Steven Smith and Co gave a guard of honour to McCullum when he walked to open innings for New Zealand for the very last time in the ODIs.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 246 (Martin Guptill 59; Mitchell Marsh 3 for 34) vs Australia

(Sakshi Gupta, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a sports fanatic whose mantra in life is “do only what you enjoy.” Her Twitter handle is @sakshi2929)

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