<p class="title">Australia crushed New Zealand by 71 runs in the first one day international at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After New Zealand earlier kept the home side to 258 for seven, the Australian bowling attack dominated the Kiwi batsmen to dismiss the visitors for 187 in the 41st over.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cricket Australia barred spectators from the match in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the strange sight of players acknowledging milestones to empty grandstands.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kane tests negative</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was also revealed that Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson was in quarantine early in the day and had been tested for the virus after feeling unwell.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, he was subsequently cleared of the virus and returned to the ground to rejoin his team-mates.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, with the home side at one stage looking at a score in excess of 300 following a superb opening partnership from Finch and David Warner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But once Warner (67) and Finch (60) were dismissed, the Australian innings lost momentum and New Zealand clawed their way back into the game, despite a late flourish from Marnus Labuschagne, who made 56 from just 52 deliveries. New Zealand must have given themselves a good chance of taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but some superb Australian bowling in the first 10 overs meant the visitors were always behind in the run chase.</p>
<p class="title">Australia crushed New Zealand by 71 runs in the first one day international at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After New Zealand earlier kept the home side to 258 for seven, the Australian bowling attack dominated the Kiwi batsmen to dismiss the visitors for 187 in the 41st over.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Cricket Australia barred spectators from the match in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the strange sight of players acknowledging milestones to empty grandstands.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kane tests negative</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was also revealed that Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson was in quarantine early in the day and had been tested for the virus after feeling unwell.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, he was subsequently cleared of the virus and returned to the ground to rejoin his team-mates.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, with the home side at one stage looking at a score in excess of 300 following a superb opening partnership from Finch and David Warner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But once Warner (67) and Finch (60) were dismissed, the Australian innings lost momentum and New Zealand clawed their way back into the game, despite a late flourish from Marnus Labuschagne, who made 56 from just 52 deliveries. New Zealand must have given themselves a good chance of taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but some superb Australian bowling in the first 10 overs meant the visitors were always behind in the run chase.</p>