New Zealand v Australia 1989-90

At Auckland, March 10. Australia won on faster scoring-rate. Toss: New Zealand. Early rain restricted the innings to 47 overs. Jones was in overpowering form for Australia, his 59 coming from only 42 balls, mainly through confident, lofted drives. Waugh and O'Donnell put on 66 in 49 minutes. O'Donnell hitting two sixes in his 52 from 51 deliveries, and Healy and Peter Taylor added 45 in little over half an hour to take Australia to 239. Wright, restored to the New Zealand team, and Crowe responded with an opening partnership of 99 from eighteen overs. The New Zealand captain struck the Australian bowlers for nine fours in his 48 from 53 balls, but after his dismissal the run-rate began to mount appreciably. A stoppage for rain reduced New Zealand's target to 204, but from 40 overs, and when more wet weather ended play, Australia's run rate was superior (5.09 to 4.79). New Zealand, however, had done enough to shade India and go into the final.