Glenn Maxwell’s late cameo at the Sydney Cricket Ground proved to be the difference between Australia and India, as the hosts beat the visitors by 51 runs to claim an unassailable two match lead and win the series. Australia put up a strong total of 389 in their quota of 50 overs, and despite a spirited chase from India, the target proved too steep for them in the end.

Australia got another good start in the game as openers David Warner and Aaron Finch both got fifties, followed by another Steve Smith masterclass as he got his second century on the trot. Another player however who continued his fine form from the first ODI was Glenn Maxwell.

The all-rounder, who represents Kings XI Punjab in the Dream11 Indian Premier League, got a brisk fifty despite coming in to bat only in the final ten overs. Maxwell smashed four fours and four sixes while maintaining a strike rate of over 200 throughout his innings. He started off with two quick boundaries against Yuzvendra Chahal, showing a wide range of shots to find gaps in the field. The 32-year-old also cleared the boundaries with ease whenever he decided to take the aerial route, getting two sixes in the final over itself off Navdeep Saini’s bowling.

In response, India’s batsmen put up a spirited fight, staying in contention for the chase for most of the game. Virat Kohli was the leading run getter for the visitors in the chase, followed closely by Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman scored a brilliant 76 off just 66 balls, keeping his side in the hunt for that gargantuan chase. His IPL and state teammate Mayank Agarwal also started well in this second ODI, scoring a stylish 28 to give his team a strong start, but his innings was cut short by a good out-swinger from Pat Cummins.

New Zealand and Neesham win again

Another Kings XI Punjab player who had a day to remember in International colours was New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham. The all-rounder didn’t get a chance with the bat, but managed to pick up the crucial wicket of Kyle Mayers in his solitary over in the T20I game against West Indies. New Zealand managed to get a comfortable 72 run win on the day to win that series against the Windies.