The third ODI between Australia and New Zealand took place in Cairns at Cazaly’s stadium. Australia annihilated New Zealand in the 1st two ODI’s and took a comfortable 2-0 series lead over the kiwis. While all the limelight was centred on Aaron Finch, who was playing his last one-day international, Steve Smith stole the show with his incredible performance.
One man snatched all the attention from Finch and that was Steve Smith. Josh Inglis was slotted into the side in place of David Warner for this fixture and he did not make much of an impression, scoring just 10 from 16 balls. Aaron Finch’s horror run of form continued with the bat as he was dismissed by Tim Southee in his last ODI innings for just 5 runs from 13 deliveries.
Steve Smith walked out at no 3 at a precarious time when Australia was 16-2 and he straightaway got the flow going. Although he scored 105 from 131 deliveries, which was a slow innings by Steve Smith’s standards, he showcased his array of strokes and showed why he is an ace in the ODI format.
He took on all the bowlers and smashed them with disdain and he took the score to 203 when he got dismissed trying to increase the run scoring. The talismanic batter for Australia was willing to grind it out in the initial phase and then laboured through his innings. Once he got his eye in, the typical Steve Smith dance moves at the wicket were back, and also he showed why he is such a versatile player in the ODI format.
As he progressed through the innings, he found his range and played all kinds of strokes, including cover drives on the offside. Steve Smith made sure that he put Australia in a winning position as the team finished at 267- 5 in their 50 overs. He also made sure that Australia will give Aaron Finch a memorable final ODI to remember as he called time on his ODI career.
Twitter was abuzz, let us take a look at the reactions here –
100 for Steve Smith after a long time#stevesmith #NZvAUS #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/TR57xp1xWA
— Fahad Ahmed Tanim (@FahadAhmedTanim) September 11, 2022
Steve Smith has 11 hundred and 21 fifties from just 73 innings in ODI while batting at 3 – remarkable.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2022
Most international 100s by cricketers who made their international debut in 21st century
Virat Kohli – 71
Hashim Amla – 55
AB De Villiers – 47
Joe Root – 44
David Warner – 43
Rohit Sharma – 41
Steve Smith – 40
Ross Taylor – 40
Alastair Cook – 38
Kane Williamson – 37#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/GItnRZgDtZ— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43) September 11, 2022
#AUSvNZ
There it is , first 💯 of the summer goes to The GOAT @stevesmith49And Whattaaa superb innings this is from Smudge , team was under pressure , Difficult pitch , but Smith shows his class
12th ODI ton for a master player , Well played GOAT Steve Smith❤️
— Nishant Verma (@NikSmudge) September 11, 2022
Steve Smith in ODIs when he bats at no 3
73 innings
3548 runs
Average : 54.58
Strike Rate : 86.52
21 50s
11 100sSome notable inns from Smith at no 3
105 v IND in 2015 WC
149 v IND 2016
164 v NZ 2016
105 off 66 v IND 2020
104 off 64 v IND 2020
105 off 131 v NZ TODAY#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/dEhxLmcGD3— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43) September 11, 2022
No one, I repeat NO ONE can be as good as Steve Smith when the situation and pitch is tough for batting. #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/bCvw6aR4CV
— Madhurima (@worn_out1) September 11, 2022
Steve Smith is literally the Best Slow Pitch Player of this generation & One of the Best of All Time !! Agree or I don't care !! pic.twitter.com/L6PxEbXbQU
— Shantanu 🎶 (@Shantanu630) September 11, 2022
Steve Smith knew there were 5 fielders outside the circle so went for a lofted shot and hit six and then reminded umpire that there 5 fielders and thus it is a no ball.. how cool man.. this is some game awareness and presence of mind#AUSvsNZ #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/x1EeWRGSye
— Koksal (@Koksal_PBKS) September 11, 2022
Hundred for Steve Smith, what a knock it has been, Australia was struggling with 16 for 2 then the rescue act started and completed a high-class hundred. pic.twitter.com/4t7HLV8IA5
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2022
Steve Smith in the last 11 ODI innings:
105(66)
104(64)
7(15)
53(60)
28(35)
48*(80)
47*(41)
1(6)
1(8)
61(94)
105(131) pic.twitter.com/tMyt0v7sCq— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2022
How good is Steve Smith, he smashed a six against Neesham, and knew one fielder was short in 30 yards so after the six he told the umpire about this and got the no-ball. pic.twitter.com/lyTrHV6qWf
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2022
The game awareness of Steve Smith is just extraordinary.pic.twitter.com/GE4eyIuhtB
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2022
