ICC Champions Trophy 2017 | AUSvNZ: Kane Williamson hits ton before Josh Hazlewood’s sixer restricts Kiwis
Kane Williamson led from the front with a brisk century as New Zealand produced a dominant batting performance to amass 291 against Australia in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy on Friday. Williamson made 100 off 97 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes, while Luke Ronchi scored a quick 65 off 43 balls up the order to set the base for New Zealand’s total of 291 all out in a rain-curtailed affair between the Trans-Tasman rivals at Edgbaston.
Josh Hazlewood ran through New Zealand’s lower-order and returned with impressive figures of six for 52 from his nine overs. The match was reduced to 46-over-a-side affair after a spell of rain halted the proceedings for a brief period.
New Zealand made a good start after opting to bat with Martin Guptill (26) and Ronchi looked settled from the word go. The duo added 40 runs in 34 balls before Guptill found a leading edge while trying to flick Hazlewood and Glenn Maxwell took a simple catch at point. The fall of wicket, however, did not have any effect on Ronchi’s approach as he went about his normal attacking style of play.
Ronchi was particularly severe on Patt Cummins …read more