†AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND 1987-88

At Melbourne, January 22 (day/night). Australia won by eight wickets. Toss: New Zealand. Australia won the first match of the finals in convincing fashion after their thoroughly professional bowling and fielding display had restricted New Zealand to 177 on a good Melbourne pitch. The Crowe brothers put on 44 from 66 deliveries for the third New Zealand wicket and looked set for a large partnership until Martin Crowe (48 from 72 balls) top-edged a ball from Dodemaide in the 29th over. His brother was brilliantly run out by his opposite number, Border, from mid-wicket, after which Hadlee (34 off 48 balls) faced an uphill struggle. In reply, Boon dominated, and when he went with the score 73, Jones and Veletta shared an unbeaten stand of 107 from 131 balls to ensure victory.

Attendance: 48,802.