Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell starred with the bat as Australia beat a depleted New Zealand XI by five wickets via the DLS method at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Friday. Former Australian captain Smith (91 not out off 108) and Maxwell (70 from 48) joined hands for a key partnership of 104 (91 balls) in Australia's pursuit of 287. There was a big moment of worry for the hosts when Smith appeared to have hurt his still-recovering elbow while running a single. In the bowling department, Pat Cummins returned to the side captained by Alex Carey in the absence of a rested Aaron Finch. Cummins snared 4/32 from eight overs as Mitchell Starc (1/35) impressed for the second time in three days. The Aussies will play another three UK-based warm-up matches leading up to their June 1 World Cup opener. Steve Smith hanging around signing many an autograph at AB Field pic.twitter.com/Bs8pWA3rmC cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 10, 2019 The Kiwis put up 286/9 thanks to Will Young, who scored his second straight century against the Aussies, and George Worker (59). World Cup-bound Jimmy Neesham stuck a cameo of 39 from 27 before a late collapse of 23/5 restricted the total. Another cause of concern for Australia is David Warner's unhappy return to the opening slot with the dashing southpaw managing just 2 runs in this game before being caught behind from the bowling of Matt Henry. Usman Khawaja (23), Shaun Marsh (32) and Marcus Stoinis (15) also did not contribute much as the Aussies were tottering at 137/4 before Smith and Maxwell steadied the ship and took them over the line.<doc-sep>Earlier, there were no heckles or abuse from the good-natured crowd of 1200 in an atmosphere starkly different to that predicted, when Australia opens its World Cup defence in England on June 1. It was the pair's first appearance in green and gold since the Cape Town ball- tampering affair in March 2018 that resulted in year-long bans for the captain and vice captain. Warner started nervously - he was dropped at gully off his third ball and almost popped a catch to point off his first ball - after Usman Khawaja (4) was bowled from the fourth ball of the innings. But he exploded to life once he scurried through to get off the mark, pulling a six over midwicket, and peppering the boundary between point and mid-off with a series of immaculately-timed drives. His impressive innings was cut short on 39, top-edging a reverse sweep to end a crisp 77-run stand with Aaron Finch (52). It was a brief, but compelling case from Warner, as coach Justin Langer remains coy on which two of Finch, Warner and Khawaja will face the new ball against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol. Warm applause followed Warner to the crease, but it was nothing on the reception Smith received, as he replaced him in the middle. Mitchell Starc (pec) was rested, while Kane Richardson, who isn't in the squad, went wicketless from seven tidy overs, when given the chance to press his claims for inclusion, if Jhye Richardson (shoulder) is unable to prove his fitness. Pat Cummins, Berendorff and Coulter-Nile all took three wickets against an under-strength Kiwi unit, missing regular skipper Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Trent Boult - all still on Indian Premier League duties in India. Cummins took two wickets in the first over, before a 137-run stand between Will Young (60) and Tom Blundell (77) ensured there was scoreboard pressure on the hosts. AAP Join us for live updates of the Blackcaps' Cricket World Cup campaign<doc-sep>Full highlights: NZ XI too good for Aussies For a side that was in the end comfortably beaten by a vastly depleted New Zealand side, Australia could feasibly have left Brisbane's Allan Border Field with their mood uplifted after three of their key players provided telling contributions in today's World Cup warm-up. As New Zealand made impressively light work of a target of 278 off the back of a classy 130 to Will Young, who featured in consecutive century stands with George Worker (56) and Tom Latham (69no), the hosts' standout with ball in hand was spearhead Mitchell Starc, whose three-month layoff came to an end in encouraging fashion. QUICK SINGLE Full scorecard: Australia XI v NZ XI Starc bowled at high pace and took two wickets with trademark yorkers, finishing with 2-14 from five overs before he was withdrawn from the action midway through New Zealand's run chase, which saw just three wickets fall and 47.2 of the allotted 50 overs required. Starc bowled five overs on his comeback // Getty The left-arm quick was joined in the attack by new World Cup addition Kane Richardson (0-52), Australia A quicks Sean Abbott (0-57) and Michael Neser (0-62), and spinners Nathan Lyon (0-54) and Glenn Maxwell (0-39), all of whom failed to make any inroads. With World Cup quartet Pat Cummins (who turned 26 today), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff and Adam Zampa rested, and Jhye Richardson (injured) and Josh Hazlewood (recovering) both unavailable, Australia's attack looked somewhat uninspired on a pitch that offered little assistance on another cloudless Queensland afternoon. Smith smashes quickfire 89no in Brisbane If the bowling was flat however, Australia's batting – and particularly that of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell – was anything but. After David Warner (0) and Aaron Finch (16) fell to Kiwi seamer Doug Bracewell, who bowled an excellent new-ball spell, Usman Khawaja put together a composed 56 to do his World Cup hopes no harm and extricate Australia from a less-than-promising position early in their innings. Khawaja and Shaun Marsh (28) could well be competing for the No.3 spot in Australia's first-choice XI, and the two unfurled some typically impressive stroke-play, particularly through the cover region as they looked set for long stays in the middle. Khawaja hit 56 from No.3 // AFP But Marsh was again caught slashing outside off stump and Khawaja found himself the victim of an outstanding catch from Jimmy Neesham, who intercepted a full-blooded pull shot at short mid-wicket. It set the scene for Smith and Maxwell, who combined the classical with the unorthodox as only they can. After spending some one-on-one time in the nets with coach Justin Langer before play, Smith hit the ground running when he entered the action from the unfamiliar No.5 position. He moved from three to seven with a beautifully struck straight drive and an over later cover drove leg-spinner Todd Astle for six to really move into his stride. In no time he and Maxwell added impetus to an innings that had been hitherto chugging along at a gentle pace. Maxwell unleashed on the Kiwis // AFP The fifth-wicket partnership of 81 came from just 78 balls and showcased not only the reassuring return of Smith's powers but the often-outrageous stroke-play of Maxwell, who smashed 52 from 44 balls with six fours and two sixes without appearing to move out of second gear. The Victorian would have been disappointed to fall to a good catch at wide long-on just one ball after lacing a six over cover, given there were still six overs remaining in the innings. Steve Smith was unbeaten on 89 from 77 balls // AFP In his absence, Smith expanded his range, putting sixes over wide long off and square leg and even pulling out his trademark tennis slap during what was both a highly-entertaining and effective performance. He was unbeaten on 89 from 77 balls at the close of innings, with Alex Carey contributing a quick-fire 22. In the end Australia's 6-277 wasn't close to enough, yet with standout performances from a trio crucial to their 2015 World Cup success, there was a certain silver lining for Langer and his group as they await Friday's final match before flying out to defend their title. Australia XI 6-277 (Smith 89no, Khawaja 56, Maxwell 52, Bracewell 3-45) lost to New Zealand XI 2-283 (Young 130, Latham 69no, Worker 56, Starc 2-14) by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining Warner out for a duck in opening return Australia XI: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson New Zealand XI: Hamish Rutherford, George Worker, Will Young, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell, Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner, Hamish Bennett 2019 World Cup Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N) June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge June 9: India v Australia, The Oval June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge June 25: England v Australia, Lord's June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N) July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N) July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston July 14: Final, Lord's For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE<doc-sep>
Steve Smith was in fine form for Australia XI against New Zealand XI on Wednesday (@cricketcomau Photo) Steve Smith and David Warner had vastly contrasting fortunes in their second matches back in an Australian uniform since their 12-month suspensions in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal. Smith scored 89 not out from 77 balls to help lead Australia to 277-6 in a practice match against New Zealand on Wednesday at Allan Border Field. It was Smith's best score in more than two years in a 50-over match. New Zealand won the match by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining. Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, returning from injury, took 2-14 from five overs for Australia. Will Young was run out for 130 and captain Tom Latham was 69 not out to guide New Zealand to the win. Smith hit three sixes over mid-off and thumped a straight drive past the bowler early in his innings Wednesday, then increased his scoring rate in his final eight overs. Some vintage Steve Smith shots in here as he returned to his best form in Australian colours today pic.twitter.com/TArSPUOuJQ cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 8, 2019 Warner, promoted to his usual opening spot after batting No. 3 in his return on Monday, lasted just six balls when he knocked a simple catch to cover. Australia won the first of three practice matches by one wicket with 10 balls to spare on Monday. The last practice match is Friday as both teams prepare for the World Cup in England starting May 30. Smith and Warner each served a year-long ban for their part in a ball-tampering scandal during a test match against South Africa at Cape Town in March 2018. Both players, who returned to limited-overs action in the Indian Premier League last month, are in Australia's World Cup squad and are expected to provide invaluable scoring punch in Australia's defense of the title it won in 2015. Also See: