8 Feb 2016

Black Caps seek series win in Hamilton

2:47 pm on 8 February 2016

Following the All Blacks Sevens' success, the Black Caps are also keen to get one over their trans-Tasman rivals in the third and deciding one-dayer.

Kane Williamson celebrates a catch during the first ODI against Australia.

The Black Caps' Kane Williamson celebrates a catch. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Chappell-Hadlee trophy goes on the line in front of a sold-out crowd at Seddon Park, with plenty at stake for both sides.

Australia are shooting for an eighth straight ODI series win, with their most recent loss coming in a 2014 tri-series.

The Black Caps are seeking their third straight one-day series win of the summer, having already beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

There is also a two-Test series starting in Wellington on Friday, the outcome of which will determine if Australia climb to No.1 on the ICC's world Test rankings.

The tourists have no tour game in the whites, leaving the ODI series finale in Hamilton as their last chance for time in the middle before a Basin Reserve battle against the Black Caps.

David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Mitch Marsh all scored half centuries in Australia's series-levelling win on Saturday at Westpac Stadium.

But Smith missed out, falling for two in a collapse of 22 for four.

In the Eden Park series opener, Smith triggered a slump of 8 for five, when he was out for 18.

"No.3 (Smith), No.4 (George Bailey) and No.5 (Glenn Maxwell) still have a lot of work to do," skipper Smith said in Saturday's post-match ceremony.

Black Caps seamer Matt Henry, reaching the 150 km/h mark at the Cake Tin, has twice dismissed Smith in the series.

"Matt's bowling extremely well, taking early wickets and coming back superbly," New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson said before the third match.

"They've got a very strong batting line-up with a lot of world-class players and it's important that all the strike bowlers are in form."

Williamson was predicting another high-scoring affair at Seddon Park - the scene of captain Brendon McCullum's final ODI.

"Both sides are playing pretty aggressive cricket," he said.

"All the wickets have been pretty good, perhaps on the slow side. But, with short boundaries and pretty good outfield, they seem to produce high scores."

Williamson, the first drop who scored Test tons in Brisbane and Perth earlier this summer, was dismissed on Saturday by debutant legspinner Adam Zampa.

The confident 23-year-old didn't have a chance to bowl to McCullum, who bludgeoned 28 runs off 12 balls, but welcomed the prospect.

The Black Caps leg spinner Ish Sodhi.

The Black Caps leg spinner Ish Sodhi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The series decider will double as McCullum's final one-day international before he retires.

-RNZ / AAP