Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI at Cairns, AUS v NZ, Sep 11 2022 - Match Result

With this ends Finch's ODI career, and our coverage of New Zealand's tour of Australia this year. It was a close series which could have gone either way, but Australia perhaps won the crucial moments. See you soon as cricket keeps rolling, as it is a goodbye from Binoy, Gnasher and me, Himanshu!

"[Having family at the ground] Very special, they've sacrificed so much their entire life for me to be able to achieve something I could only dream about as kid, so I'll always be indebted to them for the countless hours in the car as a kid, the hours sitting around at cricket training. [Any final thanks?] I want to thank everyone. The staff we've had, the captains I've had right from club cricket. All the players, it's such a special time. My wife and family, the support they've given me. My career has had plenty of ups and downs but to always have the support of changing room is something I've felt my whole career."

Aaron Finch, speaking after his final ODI: "[On the match] The partnership from Steve and Marnus was exceptional to take us through the middle overs and start to build. To get to 260 after probably our slowest start ever in one-day cricket was special. That innings from Steve was a great knock and our bowlers were fantastic all the way through. [The emotions now] Pretty good, means I don't have to field 50 overs any more. Been a fun ride. I've loved every bit of it. Sitting around having a beer with your mates after winning a match or series is the thing I'll miss the most, but we'll enjoy tonight.

Steven Smith is the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series

A tight game in the end, although credit to Smith for bailing Australia out with 105, and Labuschagne for partnering him with 52 very useful runs. Finch heads into the sunset as regards ODIs, as we wait for the presentation.

Darryn: "Yet another slow Williamson innings costs NZ the game. Black caps need to be brave, and select on form not reputation if they want to stay competitive."

Vedant: "The difference at the end has been the 5th bowler. New Zealand's costed none for 72 while Australia's nabbed 2 wickets and gave away 43."

10.25pm A winning farewell for Finch, who leads his team back following back-to-back ODI series wins this summer. Finch heads back and greets his family members on the fence. Anyway, New Zealand were in the game even until they were seven down, and the required rate was above nine an over. But it shouldn't really have gone that deep, considering all of their top nine got into double figures before throwing it away.

Boult is the last man in. A slip there.

Graham: "Is there a record of continuous swing and misses in danger here?" --- Only if we ever kept that...

Starc back

Venkat: "Timid finish"

Malcolm: "I don't suppose Williamson can bare to watch this?"