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Sydney: Steve Smith on Sunday scored a scintillating century to help Australia end its five-match barren run in ODIs as they defeated New Zealand by 68 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series here at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Electing to bat, Australia rode on Smith's 164, the highest individual score at the SCG, to post a daunting total of 324 for the loss of eight wickets.
The skipper's innings was the equal seventh highest by an Australian in ODIs and he had valuable support from Travis Head (52) and Matthew Wade (38) as the Black Caps paid the price for a surprisingly sloppy display in the field.
Chasing the target, Martin Guptill produced a brilliant century, scoring 114 off 102 balls, but it wasn't enough to propel the Kiwis to what would have been a sensational win against Australia. Guptill's 11th ODI ton, and first against the Aussies, contained six sixes and 10 fours.
For the hosts, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped three wickets giving away 49 runs in his qouta of 10 overs. Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa took two-two wickets each while Mitchell Starc chipped in with one.
The second match in the series takes place at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
Brief scores
Australia - 8 for 324 (Smith 164, Head 52)
New Zealand - 256 (Guptill 114, Hazlewood 3-49)
Result - Australia won by 68 runs
