Trans Tasman Tri-Series, NZ vs AUS, 5th T20I, Review: Australia continue their winning streak in a record run-fest

Australia have created a world record by chasing down the highest ever total in T20s against New Zealand at Eden Park on Friday. It was an absolute treat for the fans on a flat pitch as the batsmen went all guns blazing and the smaller dimensions of the ground also helped. The victory for Australia has also done wonders for England as their next game against the hosts wll be a virtual semifinal now. However, the tri series is nicely setup now and the Aussies are looking the hot favourites with the way they are playing at the moment.

New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss as they aimed to seal their place in the final. The opening duo of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro started off decently in the first couple of overs and then launched a brutal assault on the visitors. The former began smashing the bowlers all over the park first after which his partner also joined in as they added 132 runs in only 10.4 overs. Munro was sent back for a well-made 76 off 33 deliveries by Andrew Tye as they hoped for a little relief.

Guptill’s second T20I ton

But Guptill was relentless in his hitting as he continued to tonk the ball all around the ground. He changed gears afer reaching his half-century and took the special liking to the fast bowlers of Australia. The right-hander also became the leading run-getter in the T20 Internationals on his way to a stupendous ton which was the second of his career. He smashed 6 fours and nine huge maximums before being dismissed in the 17th over when the score was 212.

The Kiwis were all set to break the all-time record of 263 runs but Australia applied brakes on the runs in the death overs by picking quick wickets. The other batsmen of New Zealand failed to match Guptill and Munro and were holed out in quest of more runs. Though they managed to post a mammoth total of 243 runs for the loss of 6 wickets after their 20 overs.

It was a graveyard for the bowlers as Andrew Tye registered the worst ever T20I figures for Australia conceding 64 runs and also picked a couple of wickets. Ashton Agar has to be a special mention here as he gave away only 24 runs in the three overs which he bowled and also picked up a wicket.

The record run-chase

Australia set about their business straightaway in their chase with their openers David Warner and D’Arcy Short deciding to give a blazing start to their team. The bowling attack of the hosts helped their cause by bowling wides which went to the boundaries as well. Every over in the powerplay went for runs with Short managing to middle quite a few. Rather he was lucky early on as a lot of runs were scored behind the wickets. However, rode his luck and played a magical innings for his team.

Warner too found his groove for the first time in the series and tore apart all the bowlers, especially Ben Wheeler who leaked so many runs under pressure. The duo added a massive 121 runs in just 8.3 overs which was half of the runs they had to get. The marauding mood of the batsmen continued even as Chris Lynn failed to enjoy himself on a flat deck. Glenn Maxwell came out and middled everything after joining Short which always kept Australia ahead of the required run rate.

New Zealand, once again, crumbled under pressure as they bowled a lot of waist high no-balls. In the end, despite losing wickets at the death, the visitors chased down the record total with 7 balls to spare and 4 wickets in hand. Fittingly, the game was finished with a six which was the record 32nd maximum of the night. While the skipper Warner (59) and Short (76) slammed half-centuries, Maxwell and Finch made sure there was no let-off in the intensity during the chase.

The Kiwi bowlers were on the receiving end as every bowler apart from Ish Sodhi went for more than 10 runs an over. Wheeler conceded 64 runs in 3.1 overs and was banned from bowling after bowling two beamers in the final over of his spell. They now face a must-win encounter against England, the game which will be played on Sunday in Hamilton. Short was named the Man of the Match for his brilliant knock which helped Australia ace the world record chase.

Brief Scores

New Zealand 243/6 after 20 overs (M Guptill 105, C Munro 76; K Richardson 2/40)

Australia 245/5 after 18.5 overs (D Short 76, D Warner 59; I Sodhi 1/35)

Result: Australia won by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: D’Arcy Short

For more updates on NZ vs AUS series follow CricTracker.com