The decision not to review a leg-before-wicket appeal on Australia’s captain Steve Smith was the right one at the time as there was significant doubt from even people off the field, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said.
 Smith was on 14 when he was trapped in front by Trent Boult, who was convinced he had struck a major blow to Australia’s innings in the first one-day international in Sydney on Sunday.
 The appeal, however, was turned down by umpire Mick Martell and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson chose not to review. Television replays, however, showed the on-field decision would have been overturned.
 Smith, who told reporters that he felt he was out and felt relieved the visitors did not review, went on to make 164 to guide his side to 324 for eight before they bowled New Zealand out for 256 in 44.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
 “There was plenty of chat afterwards about that,” Hesson told reporters in Sydney yesterday. “There were two sounds and the possibility of an inside edge. From our angle we heard two noises. Macca (batting coach Craig McMillan) and I were going ‘he’s probably nicked it’ and clearly he didn’t.
 “Generally (Williamson) looks to the guy square on in terms of height, the keeper has a good look, is sometimes obscured, first slip sometimes has a better look and he was unsure. All that’s got to happen pretty quickly. It was obviously pretty costly in the end.”
 That decision was not the only thing to go wrong, with the side making uncharacteristic errors in the field, including several dropped catches, while their death bowling was too expensive, going for 110 runs in the final 10 overs.
 Debutant Lockie Ferguson also bowled four no-balls, gifting Australia a free-hit on the next delivery as he conceded 73 runs from nine overs.
 Hesson, however, said a bout of cramp may have affected the 25-year-old, who still impressed with his pace that hurried up the Australian batsmen.
 “He conceded a lot with his extras and a lot of that was cramping and loss of stride length,” Hesson added.
 “Those things happen and can be tidied up pretty quickly once he gets used to that kind of intensity. We want him to run in and bowl quick and create opportunity. We certainly saw some good signs.”
 Meanwhile, aggressive batsman Colin Munro may have given an insight into New Zealand’s batting order tactics after they created a debate following their 68-run loss to Australia.
 Munro, whose strike rate in limited-overs cricket is among the highest in the New Zealand team, did not come in until number six and anchored the middle order on Sunday, scoring 49 runs from 59 balls before becoming the ninth wicket to fall.
 “It was a different sort of knock than I am used to playing,” said the 29-year-old, who is more well known as a power-hitter, having scored 50 runs from 16 balls in a Twenty20 international last year. “Given that role to take it deeper into the innings suits my game and hopefully with a few extra batters around me... I might be able to have a bit of a hit.”
 In effect Munro has taken over the role occupied by Ross Taylor, who is out for up to six weeks having undergone eye surgery last week. Taylor, who can take any attack apart when at his best, has been more circumspect from his number four batting position in recent seasons, ticking the board over and setting his side up for a final assault in the final 10 overs.
 Munro, however was dropped behind all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and wicketkeeper BJ Watling to number six and the demotion of the aggressive Colin de Grandhomme to number eight caused a debate in New Zealand media yesterday. De Grandhomme is a batting all-rounder, and he and Munro provide their domestic side Auckland with an explosive middle order double punch, something former international Andre Adams said should be used in the second game in Canberra today.
 “When you look at the way Munro and de Grandhomme dominate domestic cricket when they bat together, I think they missed a trick there in having those two bat together for a long period,” Adams said. “I think they sold themselves a little bit down the river there. Maybe they are looking at experience and that sort of stuff, but you got them in there, just throw them in there and review it afterwards.”

Maxwell may be ignored for today’s second ODI too

Controversial all-rounder Glenn Maxwell could still find himself on the outer in Australia’s second one-day international against New Zealand today. Darren Lehmann’s embattled side coasted to a 68-run victory against the visitors in the first game in Sydney on Sunday, with captain Steve Smith scoring 164 and combining in a 127-run partnership with all-rounder Travis Head (52).
 Maxwell, however, was not selected for the game and was fined by the team for comments he made beforehand to express how “painful” it had been for him to bat behind wicketkeeper Wade for Victoria.
 The team’s performance, that ended a five-match losing streak in the one-day format, probably meant that Maxwell could again find himself on the outer, which Head suggested.
 “When you win like we did yesterday, I’m not expecting it to change too much,” Head told reporters yesterday. “(But) it’s not my job to do that. I get told where I’m put and try to perform.”
 Head said despite his own role in the victory and having played 13 of the side’s 16 one-dayers since his debut against West Indies in June, he was taking nothing for granted, especially since he and Maxwell were both off-spinning all-rounders.
 “The pressure is always on in the side. In any Australian cricket side, you’ve probably got five guys that are banging down the door that aren’t in the squad,” Head added. “The competition for spots is always on. And when you’re in the side, it’s equally as hard to stay in it. You have to be performing, but I am definitely not feeling comfortable.
 “I’m happy with the performance but was disappointed to have got out and done all that hard work having got to 50 and helped build that partnership. If I can keep performing then I can stay in the side and that’s what I hope to do.”