Australia v New Zealand: David Warner smashes 119 as hosts set Black Caps 379 to win at Manuka Oval
Updated
Australia has set New Zealand a target of 379 for victory in the second ODI at Manuka Oval, after a brilliant century from opener David Warner.
A 145-run partnership between Warner and Steve Smith laid the groundwork for the Australians, before some excellent late hitting boosted the total to 5-378, the second-highest team score at the Canberra venue.
The Australians won the first game of the series by 68 runs at the SCG on Sunday, and have put themselves in good position to clinch the series with a win on Tuesday evening.
The home side made a solid, if not spectacular start, reaching 0-54 off the first 10 overs.
Aaron Finch survived one close call in the 13th over when he gloved one through to the keeper only for BJ Watling to miss his chance.
Two balls later, however, Mitchell Santner had his revenge, as Finch mistimed a sweep and the ball bowled the Australian for 19 to make the score 1-68.
This brought Smith to the crease, and the captain joined Warner in a brilliant partnership.
Once again the New Zealand was providing few troubles for the home side, and the fielding was letting the tourists down with too many balls getting through the infield.
Smith had a painful moment where he went down after being hit amidships by an in-swinging delivery from Colin de Grandhomme, prompting the umpires to take an early drinks break.
He recovered to hit de Grandhomme for six, with Warner and Smith bringing up the 200 for Australia in the 35th over.
Double breakthrough boosts the Black Caps
Warner looked set to post a big score, but he was finally out on the first ball of the 37th over, with the opener smashing a ball from de Grandhomme to Kane Williamson, who took a low diving catch at cover.
The innings took Warner to second on the list of top run-scorers at Manuka Oval.
His century gave him a total of 265 runs scored at Manuka, behind only his Australian team-mate Finch, who is on a total of 273 runs scored at the venue.
Smith was joined by Travis Head, who took to de Grandhomme's bowling early with several fours and sixes.
The skipper was out soon afterwards, however, when he tried to crush a ball outside off from Santner, but only succeeded in scooping the ball to point to end his innings on 72.
That made the score 3-248 with 10.5 overs remaining.
The New Zealanders looked briefly as if they might keep the momentum going to keep the Australian score down, but there was plenty of big hitting to come.
Head made a quickfire 57 off 32 balls, including six fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Tim Southee.
Then all-rounder Mitch Marsh - who had been out for just 1 in the opening game - reminded selectors of what he could do, hammering an unbeaten 76 off 40 balls.
This included seven sixes, three of which came in a hectic final over.
Matthew Wade was out near the end for 11, and George Bailey was not out on 0.
Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 2-63.
All up, Australia smashed 126 runs from the final 10 overs to set the tourists a daunting target.
The only higher team total at Manuka Oval was 4-411 by South Africa against Ireland in March 2015.
Topics: sport, cricket, act, canberra-2600, australia, new-zealand
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