On This Day in 2018: Australia's record-breaking T20I run chase vs New Zealand - Feb 16

Mighty Australia (AUS) smashed New Zealand (NZ) bowlers all over the park for fun On This Day (OTD) on February 16, in what turned out to be an absolute run fest leading to the then-world record highest chase ever in the history of T20Is. Back in 2018, in a trans-Tasman affair, neighbours clashed with each other in a T20I match. Notably, the match took place at the Eden Park in Auckland.

In this T20I extravaganza, the Kiwis stamped their authority with a stupendous batting performance en route to setting up a mammoth 244-run target. However, the Men in Yellow had other ideas and played in an unfazed fashion. What's more fascinating was the fact that the Aussies completed the run chase in just 18.5 overs, meaning seven balls were still left. Astoundingly, both sides ended up scoring a combined 488 runs in a matter of 39.5 overs. As a result, this was also the third-highest total runs scored achieved in the T20I history.

Speaking of the game, the lady luck smiled on New Zealand as the coin toss fell in their favour and the hosts decided to bat first. The opening pair of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill showed their batting blitz and stitched a 132-run stand for the first wicket. Munro, who was displaying his ominous form, missed out on a well-deserved century as he got out for 76 runs off just 33 balls. The big hitter smacked six sixes and as many boundaries during his thundering stay at the crease.

Guptill top-scored in historic T20I encounter

On the other hand, Martin Guptill made the most of his solid start and smashed a century before getting dismissed for 105 runs after facing just 54 balls. The right-handed batter proved more ballistic than his partner as he smacked nine sixes and six fours. Consequently, New Zealand concluded their innings for 243/6 in their 20-over quota. Among notable bowling performances for Australia, pacers Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye share two wickets between them.

Check out the thrilling highlights of Australia's run chase here:

D'Arcy Short's half century leads Australia's record, highest ever T20I chase of 245, to win the fifth T20I against New Zealand, in Auckland, on 2018

Aaron Finch finished the chase in style with a maximum pic.twitter.com/0P6SaFx3my

— Anish Desouza (@ilegally_indian) February 7, 2024

Warner, Short laid solid foundation for Australia's run chase

In reply to New Zealand's total, Australian openers David Warner and D'Arcy Short (76 off 44 balls) too started blazingly. They got going and scored half-centuries before the former got out on the score of 59 runs. Courtesy of their 121-run partnership for the first wicket, Australian batters kept up the tempo.

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To the extent that, even after Short (76 runs off 44 balls) too followed suit like his partner Warner, power hitters Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch played vital cameos. While Maxwell too departed after a quickfire 31 off 14 deliveries, Finch remained unbeaten on 36* off 14 balls and piloted his side to a sensational victory (245/5) by five wickets.