Another day, another game and another match-winning century to David Warner. It's just a pity there weren't many there to see it.
The last time these two teams played at this venue it was the final of the World Cup - a game where the stakes were high. This was a dead rubber in a series squeezed into a tight schedule and one the public has not really warmed to - despite the TV ratings.
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Warner demolishes New Zealand again
Another good catch by Steve Smith while David Warner has once again tormented NZ's bowlers with a 156-run haul as Australia clean swept the Chappell-Hadlee series at the MCG.
A modest crowd of 20,591 watched Australia hammer New Zealand, by 117 runs, for the third time in six days to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Warner's 156, off 128 balls, on its own was enough to beat the sorry Black Caps.
Such has been the authority of the victories it seems hard to believe Australian cricket was in crisis only a few weeks ago. Their senior players have scored big runs, their bowlers, with Mitchell Starc bowling unplayable sandshoe crushers, remain hot - so too the catching of Steve Smith.
But it will take more than two weeks of winning matches of questionable value to atone for four months of sins.
That this series was played in the first place, as part of a deal to launch day-night Tests, could be seen as a sign Cricket Australia had placed their commercial interests over that of the national team.
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will sit on CA's mantlepiece for the length of the school holidays before it's up for grabs again across the Tasman. These matches have lacked meaning and box office appeal but it's allowed Warner the chance to hit top form for the real stuff.
As has become customary in the one-day arena in this year, Warner was the man.
![Prolific: David Warner celebrates his century at the MCG.](/web/20161210053808im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/8/2/k/5/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt8022.png/1481316060312.jpg)
The vice-captain's first one-day international century at the MCGÂ rescued Australia from a perilous position. He turned what was shaping as a modest target into one the Black Caps seldom looked like challenging.
If not for a last-ball run out chasing an unlikely single, Warner, wearing a black arm band in honour of his junior batting coach Laurie Heil, would have joined Damien Martyn as the only Australian players to carry their bat in an ODI.
![Run of outs: Aaron Finch walks after being dismissed in the second over.](/web/20161210053808im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/r/a/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt8022.png/1481316060312.jpg)
Facing the white ball is not ideal preparation for the pink ball under lights but his performances this week should ensure Warner starts the Test series against Pakistan with his confidence sky-high.
Subdued by his standards against South Africa, Warner has made New Zealand pay. His two tons this week take his international tally in the last three years to 21. Only the great Sachin Tendulkar, with nine, has scored more centuries in a calendar year than his seven in 2016, though he played 33 innings as opposed to Warner's 23.
![Contributor: Travis Head stops a shot by Colin Munro.](/web/20161210053808im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/8/5/8/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt8022.png/1481316060312.jpg)
This is some achievement, though such is the disregard most fans in this country hold for the 50-over format that it's likely to be soon forgotten. Even for the 10,000 or so fans - the crowd grew during the afternoon - who were there from go to whoa of Warner's innings.
It's one thing to flourish when the going is easy but another to go against the grain. No other player in the game scored with any fluency on an MCG pitch that did not allow batsmen to confidently swing through the line. Warner, however, batted as if it was a road, scoring at well over a run a ball.
The Kiwis' run chase started encouragingly but hit the skids after Kane Williamson was trapped in front by James Faulkner. Martin Guptill joined his captain two overs later before clubbing Travis Head's first ball straight to cover.
Head's selection over Glenn Maxwell has created much debate but the South Australian has justified his place with important contributions with bat and ball.
Not so Aaron Finch, who made three and with only one half-century in his last eight innings is at risk of losing his place to Usman Khawaja in the new year.