HAMILTON — New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum ended his One-Day International career with a series victory over Australia Monday with his side sealing a 55-run win in the deciding third match at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
New Zealand, which was all out for 246 in 45.3 overs, managed to dismiss Australia for 191 in 43.4 overs to give it a 2-1 series win that helped it retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, which is played for between the two countries in one-dayers.
The 34-year-old McCullum is retiring from all international cricket at the conclusion of the two-Test series against the same opponent.
“I feel incredibly lucky to play for 14 years, meet some great blokes and make some great friends,” McCullum said in a televised interview. “I want to thank everyone for supporting me and making it possible.”
The win, however, was marred by a surreal period of play when the crowd appeared to influence a decision on the field.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who took 3-34 in New Zealand’s innings, appeared well-set on 41 with his side 164-5 in the 34th over and back in control of the match before he hit a delivery back to bowler Matt Henry.
Henry half-heartedly appealed for a caught and bowled but it was turned down.
The giant television screen at the ground then showed a replay that created a huge uproar from the crowd who thought it had cannoned into Marsh’s boot before popping back to the bowler.
Umpires Ian Gould and Derek Walker then asked third umpire Sundaram Ravi for a review after they also saw the replay and heard the crowd reaction.
Slow-motion cameras showed the ball had not hit the ground before Henry took the catch and Ravi told Gould to give the Australian out, which caused an angry outburst from Marsh and his batting partner Matthew Wade.
“A bit of controversy there, I don’t think there was much of an appeal... and they went upstairs after the replay, a bit disappointing,” Australia captain Steve Smith said.
“The right decision was made no doubt about that ... I don’t want to take anything away from the Blackcaps, they deserved to win.” Once Marsh was dismissed, however, the Australians fell apart with Corey Anderson grabbing two victims as their last five wickets fell for 27 runs.
Earlier, McCullum and Martin Guptill had again got New Zealand off to a rollicking start, racing to 84 in 9.3 overs before the captain became the first of Marsh’s three wickets when he was dismissed for 47.
New Zealand’s batsmen, again all got starts, but for the third time in the series were dismissed just when they needed to push on.
Guptill scored 59 and Grant Elliott added 50 for the host, which lost its last five wickets for nine runs. — Reuters
