By Caden Helmers
After posting two mammoth totals to begin the Chappell-Hadlee series Australia is looking a shadow of the team renowned for batting collapses in its most recent Test series.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke said while captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner have led from the front, the new breed were now proving their worth.
David Warner celebrates his 10th ODI century at Manuka OvalCredit: Cricket Australia
Warner led the way at Manuka Oval with 119 (off 115 balls), while Smith posted a sparkling 72 (76). But the next generation soon stole the show after Mitchell Marsh (76 not out from 40) and Travis Head (57 from 32) lit up the nation's capital.
Clarke said it was now a matter of performing consistently as a group with a crammed international schedule on the agenda.
"Smith and Warner, they've showed their class over a long period of time," Clarke said.
"We know they can make runs and perform at the highest level, we just need these other players now to take their time and be given enough opportunity, to grab their opportunity like Head and Marsh have done.
"I think we should not get too carried away at this stage either way.
"I said that when Australia lost the Test series to South Africa, not to get too carried away that Australian cricket was in such a bad place. I never thought it was in such a bad place, because I've always believed there is a lot of talent.
"Opportunities like the first two ODIs for Head is exactly what he needs and he is scoring runs. Marsh just making runs there ... we've got to keep the faith with certain players and allow them time to spend in the middle."
Smith was coming off a record-breaking 164 in the series opener and Warner has established himself as one of, if not the most devastating opening batsmen in world cricket.
With that in mind Clarke was baffled by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson's "interesting" decision to bowl first on a wicket renowned for big scores, despite the overcast conditions and presence of rain.
"I said at the time that I could understand to a certain extent why Kane Williamson thought about it, but I also in the same breath said I would have batted first if I was captain," Clarke said.
"The wicket looked great, and I think allowing Australia to bat first in any one-day international is dangerous.
"I think they feel like they can play with a lot more freedom when they bat first because there's no target in their mind that they have to play a certain way, so they just think 'right, let's just consolidate at the top and go as hard as we can'.
"It didn't swing much at all — I think that's why they would have elected to bowl first — hoping the ball would swing."
The swing didn't last long — Clarke said "it swung for an over" — before the stellar knocks from Warner and Smith were capped off by "phenomenal" striking from Head and Marsh.
The big first innings total had the Australians well placed to make it four on the trot at a venue that has gone from strength to strength in Manuka Oval.
"I think we always get good crowds in Canberra, to be honest. I think it's great that we're playing another one-day international here," Clarke said.
"The ground, every time I come here, continues to get better. I think the wicket is the best I've ever seen it to be honest ... it's rock hard and it's got enough pace and bounce in it. As a batsman it looked like an absolute road so I think it's always good to see international cricket played here."