Brisbane: Steve Smith plundered an unbeaten 91 and Glenn Maxwell hit 70 Friday before bad light stopped play, with Australia winning their final warm-up game before leaving for England to defend their World Cup title.
They were handed victory by five wickets courtesy of the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method after amassing 248 for five off 44 overs in reply to an under-strength New Zealand’s 286 for nine from 50 overs.
It was another fine knock from former skipper Smith, batting at three, who made his return to Australian colours this week from a year-long ban for ball-tampering. It followed his 89 not out in the second of the three-match series in Brisbane, which do not count as full internationals, on Wednesday. David Warner, who was in imperious touch during the IPL, flopped again in opening the innings, out for two to follow his duck and 39 in the series. Like Smith, Maxwell has been in good touch, pounding 70 off 48 balls to go with the quick-fire 52 he made on Wednesday.
Australia play two more warm-up matches, against England and Sri Lanka.
