Twitter Reactions: Aaron Finch-inspired Australia thrash New Zealand in 4th T20I to keep series alive

Australia, on Friday, thrashed New Zealand by 50 runs in the fourth T20I in Wellington to draw level in the five-match series. Having lost the first two games of the series, the visitors won the third game by 64 runs before registering the thumping win in the fourth game to keep the series alive. The fifth and final T20I is scheduled to take place on Sunday (March 7) at the same venue.

Skipper Aaron Finch once again led from the front, scoring a fighting fifty to take his team to a fighting total of 156 for 6. The right-handed batsman, who returned to form a couple of days ago with a whirlwind knock of 69, scored 79 runs off 55 balls. With the pitch not being an easy one to bat on, Finch did not play in his usual manner but made sure to stay till the end to guide his team to a good total.

His knock was studded with 5 fours and 4 sixes and all the four sixes came in the last over of Australia’s innings when he blasted Kyle Jamieson for 26 runs. Apart from Finch, all the other Australian batsmen struggled to get going. The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis got starts but could not make the most of it. Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 97 for 5 after 14 overs.

At that stage, the 150-run mark was looking like a distant dream but Finch stayed till the end to take his team to a challenging total. For New Zealand, their leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 32 off his 4 overs. Mitchell Santner also impressed on the turning track and gave away just 16 runs while taking one wicket off his four overs.

New Zealand falter in chase:

Chasing 157 to win the series, New Zealand came up with a poor batting display and were all out for just 106 in 18.5 overs. The Black Caps were off to a disastrous start as they managed just 25 runs during the six-over powerplay and lost danger man Martin Guptill for six. Things did not improve after the powerplay either as New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The likes of Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, and James Neesham departed for single-digit scores while Tim Seifert and Devon Conway got the starts but could not capitalise. In the end, they were all out for just 106. The hosts managed to touch the 100-run mark only because of Jamieson’s 30-run knock. For Australia, Kane Richardson picked up 3 wickets while Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell picked two each.

Here is how Twitter reacted: