Sport

Bad light wraps up world cup warm-up series

07:04 am on 11 May 2019

Bad lighting ended play early giving Australia bragging rights in the third and final unofficial World Cup warm-up series against the New Zealand XI at Allan Border Field.

Will Young has scored a second century against the Australia XI Photo: Supplied

In pursuit of the Black Caps' 286 for 9 Australia were 248 for 5 after 44 overs - when bad light stopped play, the hosts claiming a five-wicket win under the Duckworth Lewis method to win the unofficial series 2-1.

Mitchell Starc got through eight overs, taking 35 for 1, in his second game back from a pectoral injury.

Will Young was again New Zealand batting star, his 110 off 108 balls following 130 on Wednesday and 60 on Monday.

The 26-year-old isn't part of the Black Caps' Cup campaign though, booked for imminent shoulder surgery and set to miss between up to nine months of cricket.

Despite an understrength NZ side coach Gary Stead says he can take a lot away from this week's matches in preparation for the pinnacle event.

"It's been a fantastic experience for the 15 guys who have been over here. Five guys are preparing for world cup and the others are standby players," says Stead

"The up and coming youngsters in the group will really grow from this experience and understand more about what international cricket is all about."

Batting at No.3, Australian Smith drove superbly and was rarely troubled in his last hit out on Australian soil before the squad left for England - via Gallipoli.

That innings followed an unbeaten 89 on Wednesday as Smith, who had surgery on his elbow in January, finds his groove ahead of their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on June 1.

There were anxious moments though, Smith dropping his bat when his bandaged arm jarred as his blade stuck in the turf when completing his 64th run.

Smith flexed the joint in the overs that followed and received some brief physiotherapy treatment at the next drinks break before batting on without discomfort to flirt with a triple figure score.

Glenn Maxwell (70 off 48) made his second consecutive half century, reaching 50 off just 37 balls before reverse-sweeping a six into the small crowd at cover, as he dominated a 104-run partnership with Smith.

David Warner followed his Wednesday duck with just two at the top of the order while Usman Khawaja (23) and Shaun Marsh (32) made starts.

Earlier Pat Cummins (32 from 4 off eight overs) was the pick of Australia's bowlers, while the visitors took a liking to Adam Zampa's leg-spin as he finished with 76-2 from nine overs.