| 0.0 : Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! We're all set for the second clash in the 5-match T20I series between New Zealand and Australia. The touring team was humbled in Christchurch by a counter-attacking knock by Devon Conway and then by an exemplary piece of swing bowling by Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The caravan has moved to Dunedin now and the University Oval is ready to become the 9th venue to host T20I games in this part of the world in men's cricket. Australia will be eyeing a comeback this afte |
| The pictures on social media from the ground suggest that it's bright and sunny and the entire ground is bathed in sunshine. Looks like a perfect day for batting. The pitch also appears quite flat and it has a history of producing big totals. Let's hope we get to see a high-scoring humdinger. Meanwhile, Mitchell Santner is getting claps and hugs in the NZ huddle, this is going to be his 50th T20I. We wish him well. Toss coming up shortly. |
| Australia (Playing XI) - Aaron Finch (C), Matthew Wade (WK), Josh Philippe, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Daniel Sams, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa. |
| New Zealand (Playing XI) -Â Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult. |
| Ish Sodhi catches up for a quick interview. The leggie says that it's always good to start off with a win especially against a team like Australia which is stuffed with quality players. On overtaking Nathan McCullum in the list of leading wicket-takers for the Blackcaps, Sodhi replies that he has always looked up to Nathan and it's a special achievement. |
| Toss - Aaron Finch has won the coin-toss and AUSTRALIA ELECT TO FIELD! The Aussie skipper talks about doing the basics right and not getting carried away. The Kiwi skipper would have bowled first as well but now that they are batting, he wants his team to assess the conditions and put up a good total on the board. Both teams are unchanged! |
| Pitch report -Â Great batting surface. Nice even covering of grass. 161 is the average first innings total here in domestic cricket. If you bowl into the wicket, you will get some value. With short boundaries, expect a lot of big shots. |
| We're moments away from getting underway. The players are on the field. Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert are the Kiwi openers. The former is under big pressure to perform and the hosts would be hoping that he strikes gold with his form in this match. The conditions looking ripe for batting. Let's see how the Aussies bowl on this batsman-friendly strip. Daniel Sams to begin proceedings with the ball. Will he get to shape a few into the right-handers? One slip in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Guptill is underway with a beautiful cover drive. Sams goes searching for the movement first up and over-pitches it outside off, Martin drives it delightfully through the gap on the off side. New Zealand underway in style! |
| 0.2 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, On a length and close to off, Guptill gets forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point. |
| 0.3 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Beaten this time! Sams takes a length ball away from the batsman, with the natural angle, Guptill pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 0.4 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, A length delivery outside off, tapped down to point and a loud shot of 'no' follows. |
| 0.5 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Uppish but safe! This delivery holds up a bit from the surface, on a length close to off, Guptill checks his shot and pushes it aerially towards mid off. Not carrying to the fielder. They cross. |
| 0.6 : Daniel Sams to Tim Seifert, Fuller in length and outside off, Seifert drives it through extra cover and the mid off fielder makes a superb diving stop to his left. Saves three. |
| Ashton Agar to bowl from the other end. |
| Last time it was Adam Zampa, today it's Ashton Agar to bowl the second over of the innings. |
| 1.1 : Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert, Fires in a flatter ball on middle, an ugly swish from Seifert and it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 1.2 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Quicker arm ball on middle, cramping the batsman, Guptill defends it back. |
| 1.3 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Slower through the air, full and on off, Guptill gets forward and defends. |
| 1.4 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Tickles a full ball in the gap at mid-wicket and rotates the strike. |
| 1.5 : Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert, A touch short and outside off, Tim cuts but finds the point fielder. |
| 1.6 : Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert, Pitches it up and outside off, Seifert drives this time but fails to pick the gap at covers. Top over. |
| Jhye Richardson is into the attack. |
| 2.1 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, SIX! That's Guptill at his very best. A harsh welcome to Jhye. Full in length and around off, Guptill puts it away with a good flourish of his bat. Good arm extension and it flies over long off. |
| 2.2 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Back of a length ball on middle, MG turns it on the leg side, a bit uppish but in the gap at mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 2.3 : Jhye Richardson to Tim Seifert, Risky singe! Fullish and on middle, Seifert forces it down to mid on and scoots to the other end. Maxwell misses his shy at the bowler's end and Tim makes it with a dive. |
| 2.4 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, A length ball on off, angling in, Guptill keeps it out from the leading half of his bat to covers. |
| 2.5 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Dismissed over the bowler's head. Fullish and on middle, Guptill brings down a straight bat and smashes it down the ground for a boundary. |
| 2.6 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Beaten! Back of a length ball close to off and holding its line, Guptill pokes inside the line and misses. 12 from the over! |
| Kane Richardson is on. |
| 3.1 : Kane Richardson to Tim Seifert, OUT! Soft dismissal! Kane strikes immediately. Serves a back of a length ball around off, it sits in the wicket and cramps the batsman for room, Seifert jumps and tries to punch it through the line. But he mistimes it in the air and it's a simple catch for Finch at covers. |
| 0.0 : Kane Williamson is the new batsman in. |
| 3.2 : Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson, Angles in a length ball on off, Williamson pushes it with an angled bat to point. |
| 3.3 : Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson, A typical Williamson shot to get underway. On a good length and around off, Kane dabs it down to third man to open his account with a single. |
| 3.4 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, Fractionally short and on off, Guptill is on his toes as he plays it down to point. 'Wait in' is the call and it stays like that. |
| 3.5 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Guptill is looking in the mood. Fuller in length and around off, Guptill gives a little shimmy and punches it over mid off. Not a big followthrough of the bat but he has nailed it. |
| 3.6 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, Was there an outside edge? Doesn't matter though as it didn't carry. A length ball outside off, Guptill flashes his bat at it and possibly gets a thin outside edge. It drops in front of Wade who does well to collect it on one bounce. 5 runs and a wicket from the over. |
| Adam Zampa is into the attack. |
| 4.1 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Starts with a high full toss on middle, Kane lofts it over mid-wicket and picks up a single. Zampa gets away with a poor first ball. |
| 4.2 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Short and around off, Guptill cuts but finds point. |
| 4.3 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Possibly a googly. Full and around off, Guptill tries to hit straight but it takes the inside edge and goes past short fine leg for two. |
| 4.4 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Very full and on leg, it's knocked down to long on for one. |
| 4.5 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Advances down the track to a full ball and then Williamson decides to defend it on the leg side. |
| 4.6 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Quicker and flatter on middle, Kane punches it down and it goes past the diving bowler to mid on for a run. 10 runs in the last two overs, good going for Australia. |
| 5.1 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, Loopy and full around leg, Williamson flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 5.2 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, SIX! Guptill does it again! Full and floated around off, Guptill stays leg side to this delivery and lofts it nonchalantly over long off. Not trying to hit it too hard, that's the key. |
| 0.0 : Ashton Agar is back on. |
| 5.3 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Gently works a full length ball in the gap at mid-wicket and picks up a brace. |
| 5.4 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Good timing! Agar fires it around off, a touch short in length, Guptill uses the depth of his crease and cracks it through covers. |
| 5.5 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Quicker one on middle, helped on the leg side for one. |
| 5.6 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, Arm ball on off, skidding in, Kane allows it to come to him and then taps it down to short third man for a run. 45/1 in the Powerplay, both teams will be relatively pleased with their efforts so far. |
| 6.1 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Tossed up ball on middle, Williamson goes back and forces it down to long on for a run. |
| 6.2 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, SIX! Audacious! Guptill is back. A shade of arrogance in this shot as he doesn't bother even seeing it. Full and floated on off, Guptill once again puts it away with the extension of his arms. Dispatched over long on. |
| 6.3 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Zampa goes flatter and quicker on middle, a bit of extra bounce there as Guptill defends it back. |
| 6.4 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, SIX! Into the parking lot! Guptill now becomes the leading six-hitter in T20Is, goes past Rohit Sharma. Use of the feet this time by him, opts to go with the spin and smashes it over long off. |
| 6.5 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, FIFTY FOR GUPTILL, off just 27 balls. Flatter and on middle, Martin turns it on the leg side and switches ends. He raises his bat to celebrate his knock. Welcome to form, Guppy! |
| 6.6 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, The batsman has just watchfully blocked this out. |
| Jhye Richardson is back on. |
| 7.1 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Good length ball on off, tapped down to point for a single. |
| 7.2 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, FOUR! Williamson frees his arms! This is just delightful. Short and wide outside off, Kane goes on his toes and crashes it over point for a boundary. |
| 7.3 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, Fuller in length and on off, Williamson drives it down to mid off, straight to the fielder. |
| 7.4 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, Short and wide, cut through the line but straight to the fielder again, this time at backward point. |
| 7.5 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, A touch short and on middle, Williamson nurdles it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 7.6 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Uppish but safe! Slower delivery, full and on middle, angling in, Guptill pushes it aerially over his partner and down to long on for a run. 7 from the over, 21 after the Powerplay. |
| Daniel Sams is back on. 1-0-6-0 are his figures so far. |
| 8.1 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Sams steams in from 'round the wicket and angles a full ball down the leg side, Guptill nudges it down to fine leg where the fielder slides to stop the ball. The umpire gets it checked upstairs and the replays find that Kane Richardson has done a reasonable job near the fence. Two runs saved. |
| 8.2 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Short and wide outside off, Guptill slaps it to point where the fielder dives and parries it to sweeper cover. A single taken. |
| 8.3 : Daniel Sams to Kane Williamson, 50-run stand up! Williamson dabs a length ball to point for one. A good partnership of intent. |
| 8.4 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Short and on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 8.5 : Daniel Sams to Kane Williamson, Short again and outside off, Kane cuts it through point and rotates the strike. |
| 8.6 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, A low dipping full toss outside off, Guptill tries to go hard at it and swings it off the inner half to short mid-wicket. 6 from the over, a tidy one by Sams. |
| Ashton Agar is back on. |
| 9.1 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, 'CATCH' is the shout from Wade, just short! Tossed up ball around middle, Williamson makes room and drives it uppishly towards the cover fielder. Doesn't carry. |
| 9.2 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, FOUR! Clever batting. Shows his back leg to the bowler, prompting that he would shuffle across. Agar ends up serving a full ball down the leg side and the Kiwi skipper puts it away to the fine leg fence. |
| 9.3 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, Knocks a full ball down to long off for a run. |
| 9.4 : Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill, Flatter and on middle, helped in front of square leg for a run. |
| 9.5 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, SIX! Quick feet from Kane as he goes straight and long. Dances down the track to a full ball and hammers it into the sightscreen. |
| 9.6 : Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson, Hangs on the back foot and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. 13 coming from this over. |
| Marcus Stoinis is on. |
| 10.1 : Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson, Jumps down the track to a shortish ball and powers it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 10.2 : Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson, In the air... SAFE! Risky shot! Williamson shuffles across the stumps to a length ball and tries to play the paddle scoop. It brushes his left arm and loops behind. Doesn't carry to Wade. A single pinched. |
| 10.3 : Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill, Shortish and on middle, forced to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.4 : Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson, Fuller in length on middle, drilled down to long on for another single. |
| 10.5 : Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill, SIX! Into the crowd! Back of a length ball on middle, Guptill rocks back and pulls it disdainfully over backward square leg. The way he opened up his body on that shot was amazing. |
| 10.6 : Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill, SIX! Dismissed from his sight! Stoinis dares to pitch it short again, this time it's around off and Guptill pulls it handsomely off his front foot. Goes the distance over wide long on. 17 from Stoinis' first. |
| Kane Richardson is back on. 1-0-5-1 are his figures so far. |
| 11.1 : Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson, Slower delivery, shortish and outside off, Williamson taps it down to point for a quick run. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end, Kane wants the second but Martin is not interested. |
| 11.2 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, A full toss outside off, Guptill forces it down to long off for a run. |
| 11.3 : Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson, Short in length and outside off, Williamson hangs on the back foot and steers it through backward point for three runs. Sams does well in the deep. |
| 11.4 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, SIX! Off the top edge! Guptill can't do anything wrong. Short and on middle, Guptill top edges his attempted pull shot and it travels all the way behind the keeper for a biggie. |
| 11.5 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, SIX! Putting on a clinic, Guptill. Moves into the 80s! Kane overdoes his length this time, around off, Martin thwacks it over the bowler's head this time. |
| 11.6 : Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill, FOUR! One bounce into the fence and that's the 100-run stand on the board! A length delivery outside off, Guptill blazes it over extra cover for a cracking boundary. 38 runs in the last two overs, the Kiwis are on the march! |
| Jhye Richardson is back on. |
| 12.1 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, Fuller in length outside off, Williamson drills it through extra cover for a run. |
| 12.2 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Short and outside off, punched aerially past the in-ring fielder at extra cover for another single. |
| 12.3 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, SIX! Whoosh! Williamson moves to 40! He picks the line and length early, finds it to be in his half, shuffles across slightly and smokes it over square leg. |
| 12.4 : Jhye Richardson to Kane Williamson, Direct hit would have been curtains for Kane! Fullish and on off, Williamson rockets his drive to extra cover, straight to Finch at the edge of the circle. He crosses and would have been a goner had Finch hit the bull's eye at the bowler's end. |
| 12.5 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Shot! Width on offer outside off, Guptill reaches out for it and carves it over cover-point for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : Jhye Richardson to Martin Guptill, Fullish and outside off, Guptill lifts it over mid off for a single. 14 from the over! |
| Adam Zampa is back on. |
| Run out appeal! It has been referred upstairs. |
| 13.1 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, SAFE! Short and wide outside off, Guptill cuts it to point and rushes to the other end. The fielder scores a direct hit at the bowler's end and Zampa appeals. It's referred upstairs and the replays find Martin safe. |
| 13.2 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Quicker and on middle, tucked through square leg for a run. |
| 13.3 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Too full and flat on middle, Martin drives it down to long on for a run. |
| 13.4 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Wide! Zampa loses control and serves it way wide outside off, Williamson allows it through. |
| Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Bowls it with a quick-arm action, on middle, Williamson eases it in front of square leg for one. |
| 13.5 : Adam Zampa to Martin Guptill, Tossed up ball wide outside off, Guptill whacks it to sweeper cover for yet another single in the over. A good one thus far by Zampa. |
| 13.6 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, SIX! Spoils a good over! Floated and full around off, Williamson walks across a bit and nails his slog sweep over mid-wicket. Maxwell comes in a bit from the boundary line, then jumps but it goes over his outstretched right hand. |
| Daniel Sams is back on. 2-0-12-0 are his figures so far. |
| 14.1 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, In the air... SAFE! Too full in length and wide outside off, Guptill throws his bat at it and it flies over covers. Drops in front of the fielder in the deep and they cross. |
| 14.2 : Daniel Sams to Kane Williamson, FIFTY FOR WILLIAMSON, off 32 balls. An inning of class. On middle, Kane tucks it on the leg side, finds the gap and takes a single. |
| 14.3 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, Swing and a miss! Slower delivery, outside off, Guptill tries to slog it across the line but misses. |
| 14.4 : Daniel Sams to Martin Guptill, OUT! Guptill holes out! Heartbreak for him! Conway remained on 99 in the last match and now Guptill falls on 97. What a knock though! He has repaid the faith shown in him by the selectors. Fuller and on off, Martin tries to nail it over long off but fails to find enough power on his shot. Stoinis makes no mistake near the rope and Guptill will have to depart. |
| James Neesham is the new batsman in. |
| 14.5 : Daniel Sams to James Neesham, SIX! Unleash the Neesh! He has the license to go after the bowlers and he has done exactly that! Back of a length delivery outside off, Jimmy fetches it from there and launches it over mid-wicket. |
| 14.6 : Daniel Sams to James Neesham, SIX! 12 from 2, Neesham is on a mission! Fuller in length and angling in, Neesham picks it off his pads and smokes it behind square leg for a maximum. A wicket in the over but it went for 14 runs as well. |
| 15.1 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Loopy full ball around off, Williamson eases it through extra cover and hands the strike to Neesham. |
| 15.2 : Adam Zampa to James Neesham, SIX! Neesham has gone bang, bang and bang! Three balls, three sixes. Full and flighted around off, Jimmy goes down on one knee and powers it with the spin over mid-wicket. |
| 15.3 : Adam Zampa to James Neesham, A rare single from Neesham. Hammers his slog sweep to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 15.4 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, Short and wide outside off, Williamson punches it to sweeper cover and calls for two. Gets them easily. |
| 15.5 : Adam Zampa to Kane Williamson, OUT! Drags it on! Zampa dishes out a well-disguised googly, it's around off and Williamson fails to pick it. He attempts to nudge it around but gets an inside edge onto the stumps. A vital breakthrough for Australia but New Zealand won't mind it too much at this stage. A fine knock by their skipper is over. |
| Glenn Phillips is the new batsman in. |
| 15.6 : Adam Zampa to Glenn Phillips, A flatter googly around middle, Phillips helps it through mid-wicket and Zampa runs after it. The batsmen take two. |
| 16.1 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, Beaten! Well bowled. Pace off. On a length and outside off, leaving the batsman, Neesham pushes at it and misses. |
| 16.2 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, Beaten again. Another slower delivery. Around off, shorter in length, Neesham is early into his attempted pull shot. |
| 16.3 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, SIX! Connects this time and dispatches it into the stands. Short in length and outside off, the pace is up this time, Neesham hangs back and muscles it over long on. |
| 16.4 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, A good old yorker outside off, James digs it out to mid off and takes a run. |
| 16.5 : Kane Richardson to Glenn Phillips, SIX! Meaty blow! Richardson is on the shorter side, slower in pace, Phillips finds it in his arc and sends it out of the park at mid-wicket. |
| 16.6 : Kane Richardson to Glenn Phillips, Clever change in pace. Slower again and a touch short on middle, Glenn is early into his shot and is hit on the body. It deflects beside the pitch and they steal a leg bye. 3 more overs to go, how many more can New Zealand gather? |
| Jhye Richardson is back on. 3-0-33-0 are his figures so far. |
| 17.1 : Jhye Richardson to Glenn Phillips, A wide yorker outside off, good execution, just inside the tram line, Phillips flashes and misses. |
| 17.2 : Jhye Richardson to Glenn Phillips, Wide! This time it's just outside the tram line as the batsman fails to connect. Given as a wide. |
| Jhye Richardson to Glenn Phillips, Wide! Jhye gets away with another delivery flirting with the guideline. Phillips shuffles across and tries to slap it but misses. Is not happy that it ain't wided. |
| 17.3 : Jhye Richardson to Glenn Phillips, OUT! Bowled! Smartly bowled by Jhye. He kept on bowling wide outside off and then all of a sudden bowls it full and straight, in the line of the stumps. Phillips was frustrated with all his plays and misses and decides to invent a shot. Gets across for the paddle scoop but fails to connect. The ball though connects with the stumps and it's a big wicket for the Aussies as Glenn can get dangerous in these situations. |
| Devon Conway is the next batsman in. |
| 17.4 : Jhye Richardson to Devon Conway, A low full toss outside off, Devon throws his bat at it and his bottom hand comes off the handle. It goes behind backward point for a run. |
| 17.5 : Jhye Richardson to James Neesham, FOUR! Neesham continues on! A full toss on off, Neesham swings it in front of square leg, Sams dives in the deep but fails to make a clean stop. It hits his hands and goes to the fence. |
| 17.6 : Jhye Richardson to James Neesham, Play and a miss! Fullish and wide outside off, Neesham goes hard at it and misses. Fantastic over, just 6 runs off it! |
| 18.1 : Kane Richardson to Devon Conway, Short and wide outside off, Conway cuts it hard to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 18.2 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, Wide! That's tight! Too full and wide outside off, Neesham swishes and misses. |
| Kane Richardson to James Neesham, Dropped! Slower full ball on off, Neesham drills his drive straight back, it's uppish but Kane fails to catch it in his followthrough. A dot, more importantly. |
| 18.3 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, A mishit in the air, drops safely at mid-wicket as the batsmen cross. |
| 18.4 : Kane Richardson to Devon Conway, OUT! Conway is done quickly, a rare low score for him. Short and wide outside off, Devon flashes his bat at it and it flies off the outer half to deep backward point. Adam Zampa makes no mistake in the deep. Australia doing well in the end stages. |
| Mitchell Santner is the next batsman in. |
| 18.5 : Kane Richardson to James Neesham, A full toss on off, Neesham smashes it down to long on. It goes on one bounce to the deep fielder for a run. |
| 18.6 : Kane Richardson to Mitchell Santner, OUT! Santner goes first ball. Clever slower delivery, around off, Santner aims for a big shot but ends up towering it high in the air off the toe end of his bat. An easy catch for Maxwell at long on. Terrific over by Kane, 4 runs and two wickets off it. Just 10 runs in the last two overs. |
| Tim Southee is the next batsman in. Also, Daniel Sams will bowl the final over of the innings. |
| 19.1 : Daniel Sams to James Neesham, Wide! Too full and wide outside off, Neesham stays back and allows it through. |
| Daniel Sams to James Neesham, SIX! What a shot! Neesham initially shapes up for a paddle scoop over short fine leg but then finds the line to be outside off. He immediately adjusts and spoons a full toss over short third man for a biggie. |
| 19.2 : Daniel Sams to James Neesham, A low full toss outside off, Jimmy forces it down to long off for a run. |
| 19.3 : Daniel Sams to Tim Southee, Shortish and outside off, Southee hits it flat and hard and it goes down the ground. They take two. Hmm... Neesham trusting the hitting prowess of Southee. |
| 19.4 : Daniel Sams to Tim Southee, FOUR! Much-needed boundary! Full toss outside off, Southee moves closer to it and lofts it over cover-point for a boundary. |
| 19.5 : Daniel Sams to Tim Southee, OUT! Run out! A short delivery wide outside off, Southee swings and misses. Neesham wants a bye and scoots to the other end. Wade has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Sams does well to back the throw and deflect it onto the stumps at his end. Southee is short. |
| Kyle Jamieson is the new man in. |
| 19.6 : Daniel Sams to James Neesham, SIX! Bang! A high full toss on middle, Neesham walks across the stumps and plunders it over fine leg for a biggie. Isn't it too high? The umpire stays unmoved. That's that then from New Zealand. They finish on 219/7! |
| Martin Guptill comes up for a quick chat. Says that his job doesn't change and he just wanted to do his best. Tells that a player like Kane's ability at the other end is fantastic. Admits they have to bowl well. |
| Impressive batting display by New Zealand to post a big total on the board. The experts were talking about a score around 220 to be a par total so Australia won't be too disappointed, although it's a very hefty target. The Kiwi innings was powered by Martin Guptill's fantastic knock and his century partnership with Kane Williamson. Afterwards, James Neesham flexed his muscles to push the total beyond the 200-run mark. They could have got even more had Australia not bowled a tidy 18th and 19th |
| On such pitches and grounds, it's better to not judge the bowlers. They tried hard and managed to succeed a bit also. But overall, it was a leather hunt for the Aussies. Now, the onus is on their batting to take revenge for the plight of their bowlers. Don't go too far away, the chase will get underway soon. |
| 0.1 : Tim Southee to Matthew Wade, Starts with a good length ball on middle and off, Wade has to jump a bit to defend that. |
| 0.2 : Tim Southee to Matthew Wade, Well adjusted! Just a hint of swing there. Fuller and wider outside off, Wade walks across for the paddle shot but then at the last moment he dabs it out behind. |
| 0.3 : Tim Southee to Matthew Wade, Short and around off, Wade pulls it in front of square leg for a run. Australia are underway! |
| 0.4 : Tim Southee to Aaron Finch, Beauty! Just enough movement again for Southee. Pitches it up and outside off, Finch tries to loft it over the bowler but the ball nips away to beat the outside edge. |
| 0.5 : Tim Southee to Aaron Finch, Finch is down the pitch this time, probably to negate the movement. Aaron tries flicking but misses. |
| 0.6 : Tim Southee to Aaron Finch, FOUR Good length ball on middle and leg, Finch tucks it off his pads and it races past Sodhi at short fine leg. Finds the fence and Aaron opens his account. Still, a tidy first over by Southee. |
| Trent Boult to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, FOUR! Pulled and pulled well! Boult delivers a short ball on middle, Wade turns and puts it away through square leg for a boundary. |
| 1.2 : Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, Shortish and outside off, Wade leans back and plays it down to point. |
| 1.3 : Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, Wide called for height! Boult digs in a short ball outside off, it's well over the batsman as he makes a leave. |
| Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, FOUR! This has been nailed! A length ball around off, Wade clears his front leg, hangs on the back foot and hammers it over mid-wicket. Almost went all the way, inches short of the crease. |
| Shout for a run out, it's referred upstairs. |
| 1.4 : Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, NOT OUT! Finch is safe. A gentle nudge by Wade to the off side and they cross. Neesham attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the striker's end as Finch stretches in. They appeal, it's referred upstairs but Aaron is safe. |
| 1.5 : Trent Boult to Aaron Finch, Angling down the leg side, eased away to fine leg for a run. |
| 1.6 : Trent Boult to Matthew Wade, Too full and on middle, Wade flicks it through mid-wicket and runs the first run hard. That's all he will get as Sodhi is sharp in the deep. 12 from Boult's first over. |
| Kyle Jamieson is on. |
| 2.1 : Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, FOUR! Up and over the keeper! Wade predicts the length to be on the shorter side, he jumps across the stumps and loops it over the keeper for a boundary. Also, it's a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit loading... |
| Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, Wide! Free Hit stays... A full toss wide outside off, Wade swings and misses. |
| Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, Well bowled! Nothing off the Free Hit. Pace off. A touch short and outside off, Wade is early into his attempted heave and misses. |
| 2.2 : Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, SIX! Good execution and it's gone all the way! Short in length and outside off, Wade jumps across the stumps again and powers it over fine leg for a biggie. |
| 2.3 : Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, Well stopped, Guptill. Back of a length ball outside off, Wade punches it from the back foot and it races through covers. Guptill gives the chase from point and does well to pull it back near the fence, saves a run for his team. |
| 2.4 : Kyle Jamieson to Aaron Finch, Aerial but safe! Jamieson pitches it up and around off, it holds up a bit off the surface and Finch ends up chipping it in the air at mid-wicket. It goes wide of the fielder. |
| 2.5 : Kyle Jamieson to Aaron Finch, Back of a length ball on middle, forced off the back foot to deep square leg for a run. |
| 2.6 : Kyle Jamieson to Matthew Wade, Shortish and on off, Wade stands tall to punch but finds the cover fielder. Expensive over, 16 from it. 28 in the last two. |
| Tim Southee is back on. 1-0-5-0 are his figures so far. |
| 3.1 : Tim Southee to Aaron Finch, Shortish and on off, it's pulled away in front of square leg for a run. |
| 3.2 : Tim Southee to Matthew Wade, Play and a miss! Pace up from Tim. Short and wide outside off, Wade throws his bat at it but fails to connect. |
| 3.3 : Tim Southee to Matthew Wade, OUT! Caught at mid off! Southee serves a short of a length ball outside off, at 135 kph, Wade hangs back to slap it through the line and aims to clear the infield. But the ball sits up a bit onto him and he ends up handing a simple catch to Kane Williamson. 186 needed off 99 balls. |
| Josh Philippe is the next batsman in. |
| 3.4 : Tim Southee to Josh Philippe, Slower length ball outside off, Philippe taps it down to backward point and wants a run. He is sent back as the fielder slides and attacks the ball. |
| 3.5 : Tim Southee to Josh Philippe, On and around off, a length ball, Josh gets too close to the line and plays it down in front of the keeper. |
| 3.6 : Tim Southee to Josh Philippe, A shade aerial but safe! Back of a length delivery on off, stopping up a bit off the surface, Philippe hits it early and it goes a bit uppish to mid off. They cross. Classy over by Southee, only two runs off it along with the wicket of Wade. |
| 4.1 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, SIX! Off the top edge. Bad luck for the bowler. Slightly short and on off, Philippe tries to heave but gets a top edge and it goes all the way over third man. |
| 4.2 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, Good length ball on off, Josh pushes it off his back foot to the off side. |
| 4.3 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, SIX! Flicked away for a biggie! Just the flick of the wrists to a length ball and it has cleared the square leg field. Wow! |
| 4.4 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, Slower one, a touch short on middle, Philippe turns it to square leg and rotates the strike. |
| 4.5 : Kyle Jamieson to Aaron Finch, Short and on off, pace off, Finch pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 4.6 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, 50 up! Angles in a shortish ball on off, Philippe gets back and taps it down to backward point for one. Good finish to the over after an expensive start. |
| Trent Boult is back on. |
| 5.1 : Trent Boult to Josh Philippe, No run. Boult delivers a back of a length ball around off, Philippe tries to pull but is hurried up. It goes off his thigh pad to point. |
| 5.2 : Trent Boult to Josh Philippe, A full toss outside off, Philippe pushes it to mid off. The fielder is at the edge of the ring and it's an easy run. |
| 5.3 : Trent Boult to Aaron Finch, Clips a length ball to square leg for a quick run. The interest is shown over the second run but the fielder from the deep is too quick. |
| 5.4 : Trent Boult to Josh Philippe, Very full and on middle, Philippe digs it out off the leading half to covers. |
| 5.5 : Trent Boult to Josh Philippe, Back of a length ball on middle, Philippe glances it towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 5.6 : Trent Boult to Aaron Finch, Shortish and on leg, Finch tries to flick but misses. It clips his thigh pad and rolls on the leg side. Josh wants a run and Finch is also down the track as Boult rushes to the ball. They decide against the run as Trent dives and tries to throw the ball at the stumps at the striker's end. Outstanding over, just 3 runs off it. 53/1 in the Powerplay for Australia. |
| 6.1 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Tossed up delivery on middle, Philippe flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Mitchell Santer is into the attack. He is playing his 50th T20I. |
| 6.2 : Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch, Floated ball on middle, Finch flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| 6.3 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, SIX! What a shot that is! Full and floated around middle, Philippe hops back to make room and lofts it nonchalantly over wide long off for a maximum. |
| 6.4 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, NOT OUT! Missing the stumps. Tossed up ball around off, Josh tries to sweep but misses. He is hit on the flap of the front pad and they appeal. Not given and New Zealand have taken the DRS. It's very close to the gloves. Ultra Edge detects a flat line and shows that it brushed the right forearm. The Ball Tracker shows the impact to be umpire's call and it's missing the stumps. |
| 6.3 : An appeal for lbw! Josh Philippe is the man in question. New Zealand review it. Ultra Edge shows there is no bat on it. Ball Tracker shows that it is missing the stumps. |
| 6.5 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Floated and full outside off, Philippe tries to slog sweep but gets a top edge. It falls safely near short third man and they cross. |
| 6.6 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Short ball on middle, Philippe pushes it through mid on for a single. |
| Ish Sodhi is on. |
| 7.1 : Ish Sodhi to Josh Philippe, Short and turning away from outside off, the batsman cuts it straight to point. |
| 7.2 : Ish Sodhi to Josh Philippe, Aerial but safe! Short and wide outside off, Philippe cuts again and this time it's uppish. Falls short of point and sneaks through for a couple. |
| 7.3 : Ish Sodhi to Josh Philippe, Too full and outside off, Philippe goes hard with his drive but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid on for a run. |
| 7.4 : Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch, A half-tracker outside off, Finch slaps it to the right of sweeper cover for two. |
| 7.5 : Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch, Wide! Tossed up ball way wide outside off, Finch leaves. |
| Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch, Loopy and wide outside off, Finch allows it through again. |
| 7.6 : Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch, OUT! Sodhi strikes in his first over to dismiss the Aussie skipper. Smart bowling. The leggie kept on asking Finch to hit through the off side but he restrains. This time it's short and Finch decides to go across the line. Attempts for a big pull shot but fails to time it well. It goes high in the air and Glenn Phillips takes a tumbling catch at deep mid-wicket. Another flop show by Aaron. 150 needed off 72 balls. |
| Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman in. |
| 8.1 : Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell, Helps it off his pads through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 8.2 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, FOUR! Full and floated around off, Philippe goes straight down the ground and powers it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 8.3 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Play and a miss! Loopy and full wide outside off, Philippe tries to sweep but misses. |
| 8.4 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Goes inside-out to a full ball around middle and lofts it over covers for one. |
| 8.5 : Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and shorter around off, Maxwell pushes it to cover-point for a run. |
| 8.6 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Wide! Serves it way too wide outside off, Philippe tries to reach out but misses. |
| Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, In the air... SAFE! Loopy and full around off, Philippe mistimes his lofted shot and it drops in no man's land near long off. A single taken. |
| Kyle Jamieson is back on. |
| 9.1 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, Taps a length ball down to backward point for a run. |
| 9.2 : Kyle Jamieson to Glenn Maxwell, Steers a length ball to point where Santner does well to stop it. |
| 9.3 : Kyle Jamieson to Glenn Maxwell, Back of a length ball on middle, hurrying into the batsman, Glenn eases it down through mid on for a run. |
| 9.4 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, Slower length ball is angled into the attack, Philippe gets back and pushes it on the leg side. Straight to mid-wicket. |
| 9.5 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, Edgy but it's over! Too full and outside off, Josh slices his attempted drive over the leaping point fielder. Two taken. |
| 9.6 : Kyle Jamieson to Josh Philippe, FOUR! Fuller and around off, Philippe lifts it over mid off and Williamson runs back. Attempts for the catch but it falls wide of him and he then fails to pull it back. 8 from the over, 133 needed at the halfway mark. |
| 10.1 : Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! No show from Big Show! Santner gets the wicket. Maxwell falls flat in the trap! Flighted and full around off, Maxwell nails his reverse sweep but cannot beat the brilliance of Sodhi at short third man. He times his jump to perfection and plucks it out of thin air. Disbelief on the face of Maxwell as he returns. |
| 0.0 : Marcus Stoinis is the next batsman in. |
| 10.2 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, Short and wide outside off, Stoinis slaps it through point for a run. |
| 10.3 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Short again, around off, Philippe pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 10.6 : Ish Sodhi is back on. |
| 10.4 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, A long hop around off, played down from the back foot to covers for one. |
| 10.5 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, Arm ball on middle, short in length, Philippe smashes it to wide long on. Easy two there but Stoinis slips and they have to satisfy with a run. |
| 10.6 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, Santner continues to drop it short on middle, Stoinis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. Poor lengths but a good over, just 5 runs off it along with Maxwell's wicket. |
| 11.1 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Boom! Too full in length around off, Stoinis attacks it with all his power and drills it down the ground for a powerful boundary. |
| 11.2 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and shorter on off, punched to extra cover. Dot. |
| 11.3 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Sodhi fails to land this delivery and Stoinis spanks it past extra cover for a boundary. 100 up! |
| 11.4 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Stoinis is off to a flying start here! Sodhi drags his length short around off, Marcus stays back and flat-bats it down the ground for a biggie at long on. |
| 11.5 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and shorter on middle, forced to long on for a single. |
| 11.6 : Ish Sodhi to Josh Philippe, A leg spinner on the shorter side outside off, Philippe tries to cut but chops it down past the keeper. 15 from the over, 113 needed off 48 balls. |
| 12.1 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Boundaries are flowing at the moment! Short and wide outside off, Stoinis rocks back and whacks it through point for a boundary. |
| 12.2 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, Turns it on the leg side for a single. |
| 12.3 : Mitchell Santner to Josh Philippe, OUT! That is a simple catch to the fielder. A fine knock by Philippe is over. Santner has two now. Floated and full around off, Philippe leans into the drive and tries to go inside-out but fails to time it well. A simple catch for Conway at deep cover. |
| Ashton Agar is the new batsman in. He has come ahead of Mitchell Marsh, maybe to target the deliveries spinning in. |
| 12.4 : Mitchell Santner to Marcus Stoinis, Hangs back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 12.5 : Mitchell Santner to Ashton Agar, OUT! The move to send Agar up the order backfires. Once again Santner and Conway combine to pick up a wicket. A short delivery around off, Agar camps back to pull but it comes off the bottom half of his bat and he hits it aerially to Conway at deep cover. Australia staring down! |
| Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman in. |
| 12.6 : Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! Third wicket in the over and the wheels are coming off for Australia. Marsh has been strangled down the leg side. Santner delivers an arm ball around leg, Mitchell tries to flick but gets a faint tickle behind. Seifert shows great reflexes to catch it and Marsh walks. 6 runs and 3 wickets in Santner's last over of the spell and it has pushed Australia deep into a corner. |
| Daniel Sams is the new batsman in. |
| 13.1 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Length delivery on off, Stoinis lofts it over point for a couple. |
| 13.2 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Full on off, Stoinis drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 13.3 : Trent Boult to Daniel Sams, Length delivery on off, Sams guides it towards third man for a run. |
| 13.4 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Full on off, Stoinis drives it back towards the bowler where Boult does well to stop it. |
| 13.5 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Length ball on off, Stoinis pushes it towards covers for a single. |
| 13.6 : Trent Boult to Daniel Sams, FOUR! Terrific shot! Back of a length on off, Sams guides it towards third man where Jamieson tries to stop it but misfields and concedes a boundary. |
| Ish Sodhi is back on. |
| 14.1 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Smashed! Short in length and on middle, Stoinis hangs on the back foot and pulls it with disdain over mid-wicket. |
| 14.2 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, Floated and full on middle, Marcus forces it down to long on for a run. |
| 14.3 : Ish Sodhi to Daniel Sams, Short and outside off, Sams punches it to long off for one. |
| 14.4 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Gone the distance! Sodhi drags it short again, around off, Stoinis brutalizes it over wide long on for a maximum. |
| 14.5 : Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! Ish feels the pressure and bowls a full ball way wide outside off, Marcus leaves it. |
| Ish Sodhi to Marcus Stoinis, Nearly holes out! Tossed up ball landing full outside off, Stoinis lofts it over mid off and it doesn't carry to the fielder in the deep. |
| 14.6 : Ish Sodhi to Daniel Sams, FOUR! Put away! Sodhi bowls it too full and wide outside off, Sams reaches out and powers it over extra cover. 20 from the over, Australia still into it, 78 needed off 30 balls. |
| 15.1 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Too full in length around off, Stoinis walks across the stumps and scoops it over short fine leg. Moves to 46 off 20 balls. |
| 15.2 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, Back of a length delivery outside off, slower in pace, Marcus punches it to covers for one. |
| 15.3 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, SIX! Sams joining the party and Australia have a little bit of momentum now. It's right in the slot, full and on middle, Sams launches it over the bowler. 150 up! |
| 15.4 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, Shortish and outside off, Sams slaps it past to short third man and sweeper cover stops it. Two taken. |
| 15.5 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, SIX! Sams showing off his skills now! Is something special on the cards here for Australia! Full and outside off, Daniel demolishes it over covers. |
| 15.6 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, SIX! Yet another one has gone the distance. 50 stand up in 19 balls. Slower delivery, it's picked early by Sams as he turns and smokes it into the bank at mid-wicket. 45 runs in the last two overs, 53 needed off 24 balls. |
| 16.1 : Kyle Jamieson to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Good shot! Length ball on off, Stoinis punches it through point for a boundary. |
| 16.2 : Kyle Jamieson to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Terrific shot! Short delivery on off, Stoinis guides it towards third man for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : Kyle Jamieson to Marcus Stoinis, Short ball on middle, Stoinis pulls it through mid on for a single. |
| 16.4 : Kyle Jamieson to Daniel Sams, SIX! Hammered! Slower delivery, short and around off, Sams attacks it with all his might and dismisses it behind long leg for a maximum. |
| 16.5 : Kyle Jamieson to Daniel Sams, Full on middle, Sams drives it through mid on for a single. |
| 16.6 : Kyle Jamieson to Marcus Stoinis, Full toss on middle, Stoinis eases it through mid on for a run. 17 from the over, runs leaking. |
| 17.1 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, On a length and outside off, it's lofted over covers for a run. |
| 17.2 : Trent Boult to Daniel Sams, Too full in length on middle, Sams clears his front leg and drills it down to long on for a run. |
| 17.3 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, DOT BALL! A low full toss outside off, Stoinis drives it straight to Williamson at extra cover. |
| 17.4 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! A length ball down the leg side, Stoinis moves across for the paddle shot but misses. |
| Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Mix-up, safe! Too full in length and on middle, Stoinis eases it down to long on for a run. Sams turns for the single but Marcus ain't interested. The throw is at the bowler's end, i.e. the wrong end. |
| 17.5 : Trent Boult to Daniel Sams, Robbed off a boundary! A low full toss on middle, Sams drills it straight back and it hits the umpire at the other end and deflects to long on. Only a run. |
| 17.6 : Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis, Just a run as it's pushed down to long on for a run. Brilliant from Boult, execution under pressure was immaculate. Only 6 from the over, 30 needed off 12 balls. |
| 18.1 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! Southee delivers a full and wide outside off, the batsman allows it through. Tim is not happy with the call. |
| Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, Only a run! Short and wide outside off, Stoinis whacks it to deep point. The crowd is getting involved, this is going down to the wire. |
| 18.2 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, Another single! Too full and around leg, it's flicked to deep square leg for one. |
| 18.3 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Gets one away! Southee misses his line and delivers a full ball on the pads, Stoinis whips it behind square leg for a boundary. 23 needed off 9 balls. |
| 18.4 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! It's huge! Short in length and on off, Stoinis hangs on the back foot and pulls it thunderously over mid-wicket. Into the top tier. 17 needed off 8 balls. |
| 18.5 : Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis, Slower full toss outside off, Marcus only manages to push it to covers for one. |
| 18.6 : Tim Southee to Daniel Sams, Too full and on off, Sams keeps it out to covers for one. |
| James Neesham to bowl the pressure over. 15 needed off 6 balls. Phew! Going down to the wire. |
| 19.1 : James Neesham to Daniel Sams, OUT! It's a WICKET! Neesham, you lucky chap! The crowd goes bananas. Crucially, it's a dot ball. Full toss on middle, Sams tries to heave it over mid-wicket but finds the fielder near the fence. Glenn Phillips hangs on to the pressure catch. 15 needed off 5 balls. Stoinis is back on strike. |
| 19.2 : James Neesham to Marcus Stoinis, Wide NOT given! The crowd rejoice. Stoinis can't believe it. Full and angling down the leg side, Marcus moves across to flick but misses. |
| 19.3 : James Neesham to Marcus Stoinis, TURNS DOWN THE RUN! A low full toss on off, Stoinis only manages to force it down to long on. 15 needed off 3 balls. |
| 19.4 : James Neesham to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! This one has gone the distance! A low full toss on middle and off, Stoinis shows the power of the Hulk. Latches onto it and dismisses it over wide long on. 9 needed off 2 balls. |
| 19.5 : James Neesham to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! It has gone sooooo high... SOUTHEE UNDER IT! The crowd has gone bonkers. Too full and on middle, it's in the slot, Stoinis tries to hammer it over the leg side but ends up skying it behind the bowler. Southee moves across to his left from long on and hangs onto the catch. Neesham has done it. Kane is the new batsman. |
| 19.1 : Jhye Richardson is the new batsman in. |
| 19.6 : James Neesham to Jhye Richardson, FOUR! But that's not enough! Too full and wide outside off, Jhye throws his bat at it and edges it past short third man for a boundary. New Zealand win by 4 runs! |
| Phew! What a thrilling end to the game! Heart-pumping, adrenaline rushing. New Zealand have managed to hang in there, just by the skin of their teeth. A thorough entertaining contest. Truly a high-scoring humdinger. Take a bow, New Zealand. Take a bow, Australia! |
| A day to forget for the bowlers! They were taken to the cleaners in this minuscule stadium. Still, a couple of overs bowled at the death by Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson were noteworthy. And just when it appeared that it's impossible for the spinners to succeed here, Mitchell Santner produced a magical spell to pick four wickets in the match, of which, three came in the final over. His efforts kept the Blackcaps on top although they lost the plot afterwards. Anyway, a hard-earned win for t |
| The Player of the Match is Martin Guptill. Says that it's nice to score some runs and is happy with the win. Tells that Stoinis nearly did it against them once and he nearly pulled off this evening as well. Nice to spend some time in the middle, he adds. Shares that it was a good experience playing in front of the crowd and hopes that they enjoyed the contest. |
| Australia skipper, Aaron Finch says that they got back into a great position and that partnership between Sams and Stoinis was extraordinary. Calls the batting effort of Stoinis dynamic and praises Sams's effort as well. Feels that Trent Boult bowled a beautiful 18th over which halted their momentum. Mentions that it was a good game of cricket and it would have been nice to be on the winning side. Mentions that they didn't bowl too badly and it was some great batting on display by Guptill and Wi |
| Earlier in the day, Martin Guptill returned to form and scored a fantastic 97. His century stand with Williamson took them towards a big total and Neesham's handy cameo zoomed their score to 219. Eventually, that proved to be 'just' enough to bag a win. |
| New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson starts by saying there were flashbacks of the last time (referring to Stoinis' 146 back in the 2016/17 ODI series). Mentions that it was an incredible partnership between Sams and Stoinis. Reckons that it was a pretty strong performance from New Zealand. Adds that on this ground, you are always in the game and they knew the power Australia have in their batting. States that they just wanted to execute their plans. Williamson further says that it was a fant |
| That's your lot for the day. We witnessed a thrilling encounter and New Zealand managed to edge out Australia to gain a 2-0 lead. The action now moves to Wellington for the third T20I and it's on 3rd March 2021. Do join us at 1900 local (0600 GMT) for the coverage. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers! |
| The chase never got going for Australia as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The writing appeared to be on the wall once Santner delivered a 3-wicket over but what we witnessed after that was scintillating. It was a stunning partnership between Sams and Stoinis as they plundered runs at will. Their 92-run stand from 40 balls revived the chase for Australia and brought them on the cusp of victory. But then, Trent Boult bowled a magnificent 18th over, giving away just 6 runs and built some p |
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