The Australia skipper smashed 164 off 157 balls, the highest individual One-day International score at the Sydney Cricket Ground, to lead Australia to 324 for eight. Man-of-the-match Smith struck 14 fours and four sixes in his seventh ODI century after winning the toss to give the Black Caps a tough target to chase down. Smith then took two great catches and paceman Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets to dismiss the Kiwis for 256 in 44.2 overs. Smith’s knock, the seventh highest by an Australian, surpassed South Africa’s A.B. de Villiers’ 162 at the same ground in last year’s World Cup. It was also the joint-highest by an Australia captain. Ricky Ponting also made 164 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006. He then underlined his man-of-the-match qualities with two decisive catches in the Black Caps’ innings. It was his throat-high catch at slip that got a big breakthrough to dismiss New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson for just nine. Smith later latched onto a flying one-handed screamer to dismiss B.J. Watling for six off Mitchell Marsh, hurling himself to his left in the gully for a stunning catch. “I got a bit of luck. I was probably out lbw at one point,” Smith said. “It’s nice to get my highest score at my home ground and post a huge total. “We were able to get over the line, which was the most pleasing thing. I am sure New Zealand will hit back hard.”
