Will Young stroked a masterful 130 to steer an under-strength New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over Australia in a World Cup practice match Wednesday, outshining a classy unbeaten 89 from Steve Smith.
The visitors chased down their 278 target with 10 balls tospare, inflicting the first one-day defeat on Australia in 10 games, althoughthis was not counted as a full international.
Young, who is uncapped and not part of New Zealand’s WorldCup squad, was eventually run out after smacking 11 fours and two sixes in his132-ball knock.
George Worker (56) and Tom Latham (69 not out) were alsoamong the runs as New Zealand, missing Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill andTrent Boult, made 283 for three in reply to Australia’s 277 for six.
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc made his long-awaitedreturn from injury and was the pick of a lacklustre bowling attack, taking 2-14off five overs with trademark yorkers before being withdrawn from the action.
It was his first match back since tearing a muscle threemonths ago.
Earlier, former skipper Smith was the star attraction withhis 89, including four big sixes, in only his second game in Australian colourssince his one-year ban for ball-tampering expired.
He came to the crease when Shaun Marsh was out for 28 andwas in fine touch in a major boost for Australia ahead of their World Cupdefence in England.
Usman Khawaja and Glenn Maxwell were also in form, scoring56 and 52 respectively.
But David Warner, who made 39 on his return from the”Sandpapergate” scandal in the first of the three unofficial matches inBrisbane on Monday, did not fare so well.He opened the innings with Aaron Finch, ratherthan Khawaja, but was soon back on the sidelines after spooning a catch tocover without scoring, lasting just six balls.