Watch the highlights of Australia vs New Zealand Benson & Hedges World Series Cup 1st Final 1988 - Benson & Hedges World Series Cup one-day international tournament of the first final played between New Zealand and Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne in 22nd January 1988.
Bowlers shines before Opener David Boon's breezy 47, Unbeaten Half-centuries from Dean Jones and Mike Veletta helped to Australia easy eight-wicket victory over New Zealand and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals of a Benson and Hedges World Series Cup first final.
New Zealand scored 177 for all-out in 49.5 overs with top scorer by Martin Crowe cracked a 48 off 72-balls including 4-fours.
Richard Hadlee hit 34 off 48-balls including 3-fours, Jeff Crowe scored 33 off 56-balls included two boundaries, John Bracewell 17, John Wright 16 and Martin Snedden 15.
Australia best bowler by Simon Davis, Tony Dodemaide, Craig McDermott and Steve Waugh each took 2-wickets.
Australia chased 180-2 in 44.5 overs with top scorer by Dean Jones hit a unbeaten 58 off 75-balls including 4-fours.
Mike Veletta scored a unbeaten 57 off 80-balls including 7-fours and David Boon hit 47 off 74-balls included 6-fours.
New Zealand best bowler by Willie Watson took 2-wickets for 36-runs in 10-overs.
This match reported by The Daily Telegraph Staff (Third Party Reference from The Daily Telegraph)
AUSTRALIA strolled to to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first match of the World Series Cup final in Melbourne.
Set 178 to win after bowling New Zealand out in 49.5 overs, Australia scored 180 for two in 44.5 overs.
An unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 107 off 131 balls between Dean Jones (58) and Mike Veletta (57) ensured victory for the World Cup winners and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series, with the next match in Sydney on Sunday.
Of the New Zealand batsmen only Martin Crowe, with 48 off 72 balls, looked at ease, although Jeff Crowe made 33 and Richard Hadlee hit 34.
Hadlee, who earlier in the week critised Australian supporters, was heckled when he went to the crease but there was no serious barracking throughout his innings.
The Australians, despite losing opener Geoff Marsh for nine with 33 on the scoreboard, were never in trouble.
Opener David Boon made a breezy 47 before he fell to Willie Watson. Then Jones and Veletta batted with a mixture of commonsense and daring in steering Australia towards their target. Watson was the best of the New Zealand bowlers, finishing with two for 36.
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