New Zealand v Australia 1997-1998

At Christchurch, February 8 (day/night). Australia won by seven wickets. Toss: New Zealand.

Showing the sort of explosive form that ousted Ian Healy from the one-day team, Adam Gilchrist led Australia to an easy victory over a lacklustre New Zealand. Howell scored a steady fifty, but no one else in the New Zealand team found much rhythm against intelligent, restrictive bowling. Harris and Nash put on 66 for the seventh wicket, but 212 still proved far too little. Gilchrist hit 118 in 117 balls, with ten fours and five sixes, and with Mark Waugh put on 146 in 26 overs; the Australians raced in with almost 12 overs to spare.

Man of the Match: A. C. Gilchrist.