NZ ‘in it to win it’, star says

PACE spearhead Trent Boult is incredulous that Michael Clarke has labelled the looming Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series as “token” games, saying his New Zealand team will throw everything into them.

Boult said he was in disbelief that former Australia captain Clarke had predicted small crowds will watch the three-match ODI series starting in Sydney on Friday.

Clarke slammed the timing of the series which finishes in Bellerive on March 20, making it the latest finish to an international season in Australia outside World Cups since 1979.

The Australian squad returned home from South Africa yesterday giving it just four days to prepare.

Clarke said there were too many series and suspects the matches were being scheduled to gather revenue.

He can’t see the appeal despite the challenge posed by a New Zealand team at full strength and ranked third in the world in the 50-over format. “Absolute token games of cricket,” he said on Big Sports Breakfast.

Boult said the silverware alone will provide a motivation to the visitors, who are fresh off ODI and Test series sweeps of India on home soil.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Will Sutherland picked up career-best bowling figures to help defending Sheffield Shield champion Victoria keep its title defence alive with a thumping 182-run win over South Australia at Adelaide Oval yesterday.

The Vics steamrolled through the home side’s batting to earn victory midway through the middle session on day four, ending South Australia’s ambitions of a spot in the Shield decider ahead of next week’s final round. Resuming at 4-80, SA offered only modest resistance to be out for 216.

After picking up three wickets late on day three, Sutherland mowed down the lower order for figures of 6-67.