New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum’s one-day career has ended in victory and controversy, earning the ire of Australia in a gripping contest in Hamilton.
Mitch Marsh backed up Saturday’s series-levelling effort in Wellington with three scalps and 41 runs on Monday.
However, NZ retained the Chappell-Hadlee trophy by successfully defending their modest total of 246 in the 55-run win.
They won the three-match series 2-1.
Tempers frayed in the 34th over of Australia’s chase, when Marsh was given out by third umpire S Ravi.
“F***ing bull***,” Marsh appeared to tell McCullum and the celebrating Black Caps as he stormed off.
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade argued with NZ allrounder Grant Elliott following the incident, while skipper Steve Smith sought an explanation from reserve umpire Billy Bowden.
Footage suggested Marsh was caught and bowled but the process left the allrounder and Smith seething.
Matt Henry tentatively appealed after the ball ricocheted off Marsh’s boot and back to the paceman.
Henry’s teammates and umpire Ian Gould were both disinterested, presuming the Kookaburra had actually bounced off the pitch.
Henry was almost back to his mark when a replay appeared on the big screen at Seddon Park.
The sold-out crowd of 9751 erupted wildly and McCullum rushed over to Gould, who eventually referred the decision after consulting with fellow umpire Derek Walker.
“A bit of controversy there. I don’t think there was much of an appeal … it wasn’t until they saw something on the big screen,” Smith said in the post-match ceremony, triggering boos from the locals.
“The right decision was made, no doubt.
“We’ve been outplayed throughout this Chappell-Hadlee series.”
Smith, coach Michael Di Venuto and team manager Gavin Dovey had a long chat with match referee Chris Broad after the game.
Marsh was furious with the verdict, presumably because the replay prompted Gould to belatedly refer the catch.
It was the turning point of the match, Marsh had been hitting the ball well and Australia were reasonably well placed at 5-164 before his dismissal.
Yet again there was a concerning middle-order collapse for Australia that featured Smith, this time the tourists losing 3-19, with Glenn Maxwell going for a duck.
Smith fell for 21, wrongly reviewing a plumb lbw verdict, meaning he’ll start the two-Test series on Friday without a decent hit in local conditions.
McCullum lost the toss but signed off in signature style with the bat, blazing 47 off 27 balls.
The outgoing skipper rocketed NZ to 0-84 before Marsh stepped up, with mid-on John Hastings completing his dismissal by clutching a skied edge.
Marsh was later on a hat-trick when he removed Elliott and former state teammate Luke Ronchi, triggering a slump of 5-9 as the Black Caps were rolled in 45.3 overs.
McCullum, given a guard of honour by Australia at the start of play and many standing ovations by the crowd, will have high hopes ahead of the two-Test series.
McCullum will take heart from several factors – especially the way Henry has consistently troubled the visiting batsmen.
Henry, leading the attack in the absence of sick swing king Trent Boult, finished with figures of 3-60.
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