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Trent Boult to David Warner. Aerial route again. Length ball outside off, David makes some room and chips it over mid off and gets a couple.
A slip goes out now.
Trent Boult to David Warner. FOUR! Warner is underway. In some style, that too! Short in length, he just TIMES the pull shot to perfection. He places it over mid-wicket and the ball has enough in it to just trickle away to the fence for the first one of the innings.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Hurled on a length around off and middle, defended back towards the bowler from the crease.
We are back for the run chase! Hush! T20s have such short breaks, that there barely is any time for a breather. David Warner will face the first ball from Trent Boult. He has D'Arcy Short for company at the other end. Two slips in place.
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New Zealand vs Australia Highlights And Cricket Score Final Match - T20 Commentary
Post the initial phase, the Aussies were all over the Black Caps like a rash. Ashton Agar made merry as the Kiwi batters tried to hit him out. His three-fer apart from the economical spell shows how he held his own to curtail the onslaught. The other seamers, too, chipped in with regular changes in pace to fox the batsmen. Have they done enough? Like Andrew Tye suggested, they have. On a smallish ground, 151 should be a walk in the park. See you on the other side soon.
The other batsmen caved in, in a bid to up the ante. By the 10th over, half of the side was back in the hut watching the Aussies dominate. Only Ross Taylor displayed some resistance, churning a painstaking unbeaten 43. A small mention could be given to Ish Sodhi as well, who stayed with him for 38 runs and 6 overs. Australia didn't start well with the ball after the toss not going their way. Their pace bowlers were taken to all parts of the ground, before Billy Stanlake made that crucial breakthrough.
After what the stakeholders and the followers of the game expected, this turned out to be something else. All the talks revolved around this being another run-fest and a nightmare for the bowlers. To be honest, it started just that way with Martin Guptill and Colin Munro coming out all guns blazing with the bat. The former's departure with the team's score at 48 off just 27 balls just changed the tide of the game. Regular fall of wickets thenceforth just complicated things for the Kiwis.
Here is what Andrew Tye, who is up for a chat, has to say. He opines that this is still a below par total. States that the change of pace has helped the bowlers. Ends backing his batters to gun down the target.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. The slower delivery has troubled Taylor tonight. This is an off-paced short delivery around off. Taylor looks to pull but misses. The ball goes off his helmet towards short third man. A leg bye taken, to finish on 150/9! AUSTRALIA NEED 151 TO BECOME THE TRI-SERIES CHAMPS!
Andrew Tye to Trent Boult. Boult pushed it to long off and gets to the other end to get off nought.
Trent Boult is the last man in.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. OUT! That's all for Sodhi with the bat tonight. Full length ball on the stumps, he looks to go for another big one over the mid-wicket region. Ends up missing the ball and losing the sticks. A good hand from him ends.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. Very full outside off, dug away towards backward point for one.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. Short in length, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. SIX! I can do it, too, says Sodhi! Fuller delivery on the stumps, he clears his front leg and hits it over long on for half a dozen.
Andrew Tye to bowl the last over of the innings.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Taylor misses making contact off this slower delivery yet again. 4-0-23-1 tonight for Stoinis.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Short in length, pulled towards wide long on. Agar runs to his right and puts in the dive to save two.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. WIDE! This is banged short, Taylor lets it be. It passes over his head.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Excellent running by the 30-somthing aged cricketer! This is hurled on the pads, Ross flicks it through backward square leg. He always wants two there and in the end makes it in. On replays, it is seen that Carey failed to collect the throw from the fielder.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Full outside off, Taylor has a wild slog across the line but is way early into the shot and hence it is a dot ball.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Confusion! Length ball coming in, Taylor eyes the mid-wicket region but misses the ball. It hits him on the chest and dies down to the off side. Sodhi is halfway down in search of a run but is sent back by Rosco. Meanwhile Stoinis gets to the ball and has a shy at his end but misses. Ish barely makes it in with a dive.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. SIX! A boundary after 15 balls and what a shot that is! Full in length, it is in Taylor's slot. He clears his front leg and bashes it over long on for a 91 meter hit. Will this break the shackles now?
Marcus Stoinis is back for his last over and the team's penultimate.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Fuller in length around off, Taylor gets it off the inner half towards deep square leg for one.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Action replay! Full outside off, Taylor looks to go to the on side but only hits the air.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, Ross looks to whip it away but misses it completely.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Early into the shot! Richardson looks to bowl it very full. Taylor looks to swipe it to the on side and is early into it. Ends up getting it off the bottom edge back to the bowler.
Kane Richardson to Ish Sodhi. Hurled outside off, Sodhi glides it to third man and gets to the other end.
Kane Richardson to Ish Sodhi. Slower ball on the stumps, Sodhi can only push it back towards the bowler.
Kane Richardson is back on.
Billy Stanlake to Ish Sodhi. This ball is steered to third man for a run. 7 runs off the over.
Billy Stanlake to Ish Sodhi. Short in length, Ish ducks.
Billy Stanlake to Ross Taylor. On a length around off, it is bowled at a slower pace. Taylor looks to guide it to third man but ends up getting it off the gloves towards backward point for one.
Billy Stanlake to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Just over! Short and wide outside off, Taylor hangs back and cuts it. It flies just over the left of Head at backward point and speeds away to the fence.
Billy Stanlake to Ish Sodhi. Length ball around middle, turned through mid-wicket for one.
Mark Chapman has a chat on the sidelines. He says that all's not lost yet and his side is confident of defending whatever they have in the night of this final.
Billy Stanlake to Ish Sodhi. Sodhi hangs back to this one and blocks it.
Billy Stanlake is back.
Marcus Stoinis to Ish Sodhi. Short and outside off, cut away towards deep point for one.
Marcus Stoinis to Ish Sodhi. Full on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler off the inner half.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Good fielding. Taylor slaps it through the gap between cover and point and thinks there are couple of runs for the taking. But Richardson from the former position, puts in the dive and keeps it down to one.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Yorker on the stumps, dug out towards the bowler.
Marcus Stoinis to Ish Sodhi. This is what happens when your side is in a mush. This is a full toss, Sodhi just taps it to the off side and quickly gets to the other end. The other night when these sides faced off here, such deliveries had their destinations written out of the ground.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Full outside off, driven through covers for one.
Change of ends for Stoinis.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. Taylor taps this towards backward point and gets ready to take strike for the next over.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. Sodhi gets going with a flick through mid-wicket.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. A slower one, delivered from the knuckles. Sodhi fails to pick it and gets beaten on the inside.
Andrew Tye to Ish Sodhi. Yorker outside off, digged out straight to backward point.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. Full on the pads, Rosco misses his tuck and the ball goes off his pads to the on side. A leg bye stolen.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. Full and slanting in, Taylor pushed it through mid-wicket with soft hands and picks up a couple. This is smart batting by the experienced campaigner.
Andrew Tye is back.
Kane Richardson to Ish Sodhi. Hurled on the stumps, defended from the crease.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for one. He is waging a futile battle, it seems.
Ish Sodhi walks in at 10, replacing Southee.
Kane Richardson to Tim Southee. OUT! Why, oh why, Southee? You'd just hit a wonderful boundary and there are still over 6 overs to go. Yet you choose to take the aerial route. This is full in length, Tim decides to thwack it and collect a maximum. All he does is find Maxwell at deep mid-wicket to perfection. Glenn just had to bend low and take that, which he did.
Kane Richardson to Tim Southee. FOUR! Nonchalance by Southee! Full delivery around off, Southee walks across and flicks it through square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, puts in the dive as well. But the ball hits his arm and goes away to the fence.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Similar shot but this time Rosco gets just one.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Good running again. On a length around middle, Taylor pats it towards mid-wicket. The bowler himself goes for it. Meanwhile, a couple of runs are taken. Kane has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Tim would have been safe though.
Kane Richardson to run in for his third over.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Short in length, pulled through mid-wicket for one. Three runs and a wicket off this over. Australia are just tightening the noose here.
Marcus Stoinis to Tim Southee. Southee is underway with a gentle push through the cover region.
Tim Southee makes his way to the middle now. He replaces Seifert. Can he hang in with Taylor? A slip in place.
Marcus Stoinis to Tim Seifert. OUT! Timber! Stoinis delivered a similar delivery on the first ball of the over and that was outside off. This time it is in line of the stumps and that's fatal for the batter. Yorker on off, Seifert plays completely down the wrong line. Ends up missing the ball and losing his off stick. Stoinis is pumped as anyone after hitting the bull's eye would be. The Kiwis sink further.
Marcus Stoinis to Tim Seifert. On a length outside off, cut away straight to Head, the sub, at backward point.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Length ball coming in, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
Marcus Stoinis to Ross Taylor. Very full outside off, Taylor looks to flick it away but the ball is too full for that. Ends up missing the ball as it passes under his bat.
Marcus Stoinis is back into the attack. He delivered a very economical first over.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Flatter on the stumps, worked away through mid-wicket for one. Agar finishes the evening with figures of 4-0-27-3, his best in T20Is.
Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert. Quick run. Tim pushes this one towards mid-wicket and sets off for a run. Agar himself gets to the ball but opts not to throw it.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Pushed down to long on for one.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Taylor flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a brace.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. This is landed around off, pushed back towards the bowler for nothing.
Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert. Fired on middle and leg, turned through mid-wicket for one.
Andrew Tye to Tim Seifert. This one is pushed towards covers to retain strike. Just 2 runs and a wicket off it. Terrific.
Andrew Tye to Tim Seifert. Wow! A left alone delivery in a T20! Outside off, Tim opts to let it be.
Andrew Tye to Tim Seifert. Length ball on the stumps, nudged to mid-wicket for nothing.
Andrew Tye to Tim Seifert. Slower one on the stumps, defended back towards the bowler.
Tim Seifert walks in next.
Andrew Tye to Mitchell Santner. OUT! Another one bites the dust. In a bid to clear the 'small' ground, the Kiwis are falling like a pack of cards here. Mind you, we are just into the second half as far as the overs bowled are concerned and New Zealand are already 6 down. This is banged in short down the leg side, Santner looks to play the pull. Seems to have missed it but Carey catches it and puts in an appeal, which is upheld. Another look shows that Mitchell has indeed gloved it. Troubles complicate for the hosts.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. Full length slower ball on middle, pushed down to long on for one.
Andrew Tye back on.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Micthell Santner comes out to bat.
Ashton Agar to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! In the air...caught! Half the side back in the hut for New Zealand within the 10th over. Agar gets his third. He tosses it up on middle, wanting Grandhomme to go after him. The batsman does so as he mistimes his heave towards deep mid-wicket. Maxwell there does not have to move an inch as he gobbles it. The dangerous Colin walks back and he is dejected with himself, not a shot he needed to play.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Agar thought he almost had Taylor there. Ross advances and Agar fires it down the leg side. Taylor, had he missed would have been out stumped, he though gets the faintest of edges down towards fine leg and the ball races away.
Ashton Agar to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter on off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. Shorter in length on off, Grandhomme guides it towards short third man. Grandhomme sets off for a run but is sent back. The fielder has a shy and misses. The batsmen now run an overthrow.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! This time he connects well! Short and on middle, Grandhomme rocks back, he maybe expecting it as he gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with power over mid-wicket and the ball races away.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. A short ball on middle, Colin takes on the challenge of pulling it but does not get it off the middle but enough to bag a couple.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. Shorter in length outside off, guided down to third man for a brace.
Billy Stanlake to Ross Taylor. The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. They pick up a single.
Chris Lynn looks to be in some discomfort here after he dived to stop the ball in the last delivery. The physio is out to have look at him and he is going off now.
Billy Stanlake to Ross Taylor. A low full toss on leg stump, Taylor flicks it past the diving mid-wicket fielder for a couple.
Billy Stanlake is back on.
Colin de Grandhomme walks out to the middle.
Ashton Agar to Mark Chapman. OUT! Two in the over for Agar! New Zealand lose their sole review. A waste of a review to be honest by Chapman. Agar bowls it very full on middle, Chapman goes down on one knee and tries to sweep it. He seems to have missed it to get hit flush on the pads. The Australian players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. The batsman walks up to his partner and has a chat. They go upstairs and replays show no bat involved and Hawk Eye shows three reds. Chapman has been given his marching orders and New Zealand, after a flying start, are in trouble here.
Review time! Chapman has been given LBW but after a chat with Taylor he reviews. Looks out to the naked eye, only an edge can save him.
Ashton Agar to Ross Taylor. Uses his feet and works it around the corner for a run.
Ross Taylor comes out to the middle.
Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Once again a left arm spinner gets the better of Williamson! Agar shows courage to toss the ball up on off, Williamson charges down the track and also makes room. He has a wild, ugly swing across the line but misses to see his off stump get uprooted. New Zealand are three down now and are losing their way here.
Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Ashton Agar to Mark Chapman. The batsman walks across and Agar fires it full on off, Chapman works it down to long on for a run.
Ashton Agar to Kane Williamson. Slower through the air on leg stump, Williamson flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Ashton Agar is back on.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Another slower short ball on middle, Chapman pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace this time. A quiet over, just 5 from it.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Fuller on leg stump, flicked to mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson. Shorter in length outside off, Williamson pulls it towards wide long on for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson. Back of a length on off, Williamson drops it towards cover and sets off for a run. The fielder there has a shy but the ball hits Kane's bat and goes towards long on, no extra run taken though.
Marcus Stoinis to Kane Williamson. Fuller on off, driven to covers.
Marcus Stoinis is into the attack.
Kane Richardson to Mark Chapman. FOUR! What an end to the Powerplay! Short and wide outside off, Chapman stands tall and cuts it through point and the ball races away. 63 for 2 after the Powerplay. A good one for both the sides.
Kane Richardson to Mark Chapman. Just behind a length on middle, Chapman tries to flick but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad.
Kane Richardson to Mark Chapman. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Kane Richardson to Mark Chapman. On a length around off, defended.
Mark Chapman is the next man in.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. OUT! Richardson gets his revenge! Two wickets in quick succession for Australia. Another slower ball outside off, Munro once again uses his feet but is deceived completely. He mistimes it straight up in the air towards mid on, where Agar, settles himself under it and pouches it. Both the openers are back in the hut for New Zealand and Munro, once again after a start, perishes.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. SIX! Welcome Kane! Munro comes down the track and goes for the old fashioned slog. He connects well and it goes over long on for a biggie.
Kane Richardson is back into the attack.
Billy Stanlake to Kane Williamson. A dot to end a successful over! Fuller in length on off, driven to covers.
Billy Stanlake to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Short and wide! Williamson rides on top of the bounce and times it beautifully through cover-point.
Billy Stanlake to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Billy Stanlake to Kane Williamson. Goes for a yorker but this time it is down the leg side. The umpire stretches.
Kane Williamson strides out to the middle.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. OUT! CAUGHT! Big, big wicket for Australia. The in-form Guptill is walking back early and Billy Stanlake strikes. A short ball outside off, Guptill makes room and tries to slap it over mid off. It goes off the toe end and straight to the Aussie skipper, Warner who takes it and pumps his fist. The Australians are delighted and they needed this wicket as New Zealand were off to a flier.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. One run added to the total.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. A yorker on leg stump, Guptill tries to jam it out but gets an inside edge onto his toe as the ball rolls towards the leg side. The batsman takes a run but Guptill is limping as he reaches the other end.
Billy Stanlake is back on.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Munro tries to be innovative as he goes for the reverse sweep. The ball though, is too full for that and he gets an inside edge onto his pads. The first single digit over here, 9 runs from it. A good one in the context of the game.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Fires it on middle, it is bowled really quickly. Guptill tries to cut but chops it towards short third man for a run.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Very full on the legs of the batsman. He flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Flatter on off, Guptill tries to cut but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. SIX! Guptill goes after him straightaway and with that maximum, he equals Gayle for the most number of biggies in T20Is. Agar tosses it up on off, he goes for the heave and connects well. It flies over the long on fence for a half a dozen.
Spin introduced early! Ashton Agar is into the attack.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. Back of a length on off, pushed to mid on to end the over with a run.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. FOUR! Over covers this time! Brilliant batting from Munro! Third boundary of the over. Full and wide outside off, Munro lofts it overs covers and the ball races away.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. FOUR! Two in a row! There is just no margin for error for the bowler! He bangs this short, it was an off pace delivery. Munro waits for it and pulls it hard in front of square. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives but can't stop it.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. FOUR! Excellent placement! Short and wide outside off, not a good ball with third man up. Munro just opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point for a boundary.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. Starts off with a slower ball on middle, Guptill pushes it towards mid on for another quick run. Good batting by the two, they are taking full toll of the bad balls and working the good balls around for the singles which are equally important.
Andrew Tye is into the attack.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Nicely bowled but equally well played! On a length around off, it is the slower one. Guptill taps it towards cover for a quick run. 10 from this one, another good one for the Kiwis. They are off to a flier.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Richardson errs in line as he bowls it down the leg side. Too easy for Guptill as he flicks it very fine down the leg side for the second boundary of the over.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. The batsman has played it to the point region.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Crunched! Fuller in length around off, Guptill plants his front foot ahead and smashes it through mid off.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Guptill once again tries to force it through the off side but gets beaten by the low bounce.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. On a length around off, pushed towards mid on for a run.
Kane Richardson will bowl the second over.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total. End of a long first over, 12 from it.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. WIDE! Short and down the leg side. Munro goes for the pull but misses and the umpire signals a wide.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. SIX! First one of the game and one would expect many more. On the pads again, Munro goes for the flick but it is surely not off the middle. It goes high up in the air and my colleague, Suds, thinks it is a catch. He though, is wrong as it sails over the square leg fence for a maximum.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Guptill is away! First runs from the bat! On a length around middle, worked towards mid on for a quick run.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Fuller this time outside off, swing on offer, away from the batsman. Guptill tries to go through covers but does not connect.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. On the pads, Munro goes for the shot he loves. He tries to flick it but does not connect. The ball hits the pads and rolls towards square leg for a leg bye. So no runs from the bat yet.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. Fuller in length on off, driven to covers.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Starts off with a wayward delivery. Short and way outside off, swinging away further. Guptill though goes after it but can't reach it. Carey behind the stumps, dives to his right and gets a glove to it. The ball goes down to third man for a bye. The umpire also signals it as a wide. So New Zealand are away without a legal ball being bowled.
We are all set for the cricketing action to begin. The pitch looks a belter and the conditions above look perfect for the batters to cash in. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will try and make full use of it as they stride out to open the batting for New Zealand. For Australia, Billy Stanlake will bowl the first ball of the finals. Here we go...
Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner(c), D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake.
New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Mark Chapman, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Seifert(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.
TOSS - New Zealand win the toss and opt to bat. Both the sides go unchanged into this game.
Australia on the other hand, have been flawless in the tournament so far. They are yet to taste a defeat in the series. The Warner-led side have all the momentum on their side and they head into the finals as favorites. The previous encounter between the two sides saw a run fest here at the Eden Park, where the Aussies came out on top. Let us hope we are in for more of the same. Stay tuned for the toss and line-ups.
It is time for the finals of the first T20I tri-series in Auckland and it is a clash between the Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand and Australia. The home side have got here courtesy one win against England. They though, have lost their last two games. Kane Williamson will want to put that aside and come out victorious here today.
That is it from this game! Australia win their 6th consecutive match and are crowned champions of the first ever T20I tri-series. Happy moments for them as they have really been struggling in white ball cricket. For New Zealand, they have not been in the best of forms in the shortest format, as they have won only 2 out of the last 8. However, they now have to turn their attention to the longer format, the 50-over format in which they have had success especially at home. They are now playing a 5-match ODI series against England with the first one to be played on the 25th of February in Hamilton at 1400 local (0100 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.
Winning captain, David Warner, says he is over the moon. He feels they have been clinical and they have executed their plans well. Credits every player and says they have played really well. Reckons their performance have proved the depth in Australian cricket. Ends by saying the bowlers have learnt from their last game here and also the wicket played well for them.
Losing captain, Kane Williamson, says they could not assess the wicket as it was a little different. Reckons 20 runs more would have been more competitive. Admits the rain probably did not affect the result. Credits the way Australia batted. Informs they did try to take early wickets but they were not able to do so. Further adds they have performed well but have ended up on the wrong side. Reckons this format requires freedom which brings the best out of a player. Mentions he is happy for them to have made it to the finals but were outplayed by a strong Australian side. He ends by saying he is looking forward to the ODI series against the English side.
Player of the series, Glenn Maxwell, feels really good. Reckons the wicket was different today as it was on the slower side. States they have played good cricket throughout and they deserve it. Admits it is not easy to play on a consistent basis coming in the middle order but he has done well. About his bowling he says, he is happy to get a couple of wickets in Hobart but was not needed here.
Man of the Match, Ashton Agar, says it was nice for him that wicket played a little slower. Reckons it was tough for the batsmen and he did his job. Informs the length matters as it has to be good, bowling anywhere. Admits this has been the most enjoyable tour for him so far. Ends by saying they have made the most of the opportunities they have had and the boys have done really well.
The New Zealand bowlers not only needed to keep it tight but also needed to take wickets. They did manage to bowl well till the fifth over but once Short put his foot down runs-scoring became too easy. Sodhi, Santner and Munro chipped in with wickets but they were all too late. Stay tuned for the presentation.
Another dominant display by Aussies, the side which has been excellent throughout the series. To be honest, their bowlers set it up for them by restricting the New Zealand team to a below par total and then their batters added the finishing touch. Short and Warner stitched another 50-run stand, that too in quick time before the former fell after reaching to his fifty. There was drama in between with two quick wickets after that but Australia always had the run chase within their grasp. Finch and Maxwell then combined forces to build an unbeaten 37-run stand before rain intervened.
So that is it, the umpires feel the ground is not good enough to resume and hence, the players are seen shaking hands near the dug out. Australia win the FIRST EVER T20I TRI-SERIES BY 19 RUNS (DLS METHOD)!
Good news folks! The covers are off, the rain has stopped and the umpires are out having a look.
The rain has arrived again! It is harder this time and the players are running back to the pavilion. The crowd is not happy here and the groundsmen come out with the covers. Australia though are way ahead of the DLS par score at the moment.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. SIX! 30 from 32 now! Probably the over which turns the tide completely in Australia's favour. Santner floats it up on middle, Finch makes room and deposits it over the bowler for half a dozen.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. On the pads, worked around the corner for a couple.
Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. Just a single of the Free Hit! Full and wide outside off, Finch mistimes his slog towards the leg side for a run.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. NO BALL! That has surely slipped out of his hands. A high full toss on middle, Finch though is surprised by it as he mistimes his shot towards long on. Chapman there catches it but seeing the momentum taking him over the ropes, he throws it up in the air, goes out and then jumps inside to catch it and throw it back to the bowler. The batsmen take two. Free Hit coming up.
Mitchell Santner is back on.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. Another leg spinner but on the shorter side. Maxwell tries to cut but gets a bottom edge back to the keeper.
Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch. Drags his length back outside off, turning away. Finch chops it to the keeper.
Ish Sodhi to Aaron Finch. Shorter in length outside off, cut to point.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Welcomes Sodhi with a biggie! Maxwell makes room and Sodhi tosses it up on off. Glenn says thank you and sends it sailing over long off for a maximum.
Ish Sodhi is back on.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. Another excellent stop! Short and on middle, Maxwell pulls it hard through square leg. Colin in the deep does really well to dive to his right and keep it down to one.
Trent Boult to Aaron Finch. Williamson almost creates something out of nothing! A full ball on off, Finch pushes it towards him at mid off and sets off for a run. Williamson runs to his right, dives collects the ball and fires a throw at the stumps all in one moment but to his dismay he misses. A run added. Had he hit Finch was a dead duck.
Trent Boult to Aaron Finch. Short on the body of the batsman. Finch tries to pull but misses to get hit on the body. Maxwell wants a run but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. On a length around off, Maxwell throws the kitchen sink at it but only gets a bottom edge down towards long on for a run.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. A yorker to follow up. Maxwell watchfully digs it out.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. Excellent work by Southee but that was beautifully timed! A length ball around off, Maxwell strokes it through covers. It was destined for a boundary but Southee makes good ground to his right, dives and stops it with one hand and keeps it down to two.
Trent Boult is back into the attack. Kane has gone to his premium bowler, can he provide a wicket?
Colin Munro to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Colin Munro to Aaron Finch. Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.
Colin Munro to Glenn Maxwell. On a length around off, pushed back towards the bowler who fumbles and concedes a run.
Colin Munro to Aaron Finch. Slower ball, worked around the corner to change strike.
Colin Munro to Glenn Maxwell. Shorter in length, pulled through square leg for a run.
Colin Munro to Glenn Maxwell. Slower ball on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a couple.
Colin Munro is back on.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. Driven through mid on by the batsman. Two runs added to the total.
Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell. In the air... but just out of reach! Maxwell almost gifted his wicket to the Kiwis there. Santner tosses it up on off, it turns away. Glenn tries to go big but slices it high up in the air towards point. Ross Taylor is running behind it, he stretches both his hands but can't get to it. A heart-in-the-mouth moment for Maxwell. He survives though and the batsmen take a run.
Mitchell Santner to Aaron Finch. Works it on the leg side, against the spin for a run.
Aaron Finch is the next man in.
Mitchell Santner to Ashton Agar. OUT! Yes, they have! The move to promote Agar up the order has not worked. He has been stumped. He gives the bowler the charge but does it a little early. Santner sees him and fires it full and wide outside off. Agar misses his shot. The keeper does really well as he collects the ball from way outside off and quickly whips the bails off. He appeals and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and Agar is very short. Three quick wickets for New Zealand, game on. 67 needed now.
Stumped? The keeper surely feels so. Have New Zealand got their third?
Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell. Flatter on the stumps, Glenn pushes it down to long on for an easy run.
Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell. Fires it on the pads, Maxwell misses the flick to get hit on the pads.
Ish Sodhi to Ashton Agar. Four Byes! Lovely delivery, but to be very critical, a stumping chance goes down! Tossed up delivery around middle and leg, Agar looks to come down and flick. But the ball spins in, beats him as well as the keeper and runs to the fence behind. Aussies are 83/2 at the halfway mark, 68 needed off the last 10 overs.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. Maxwell is off the mark.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. This is punched off the back foot towards covers.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. Almost another! Tossed up outside off, Maxwell hits it aerially towards covers, but it lands just short of Williamson there.
Glenn Maxwell is in next.
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. OUT! Warner falls to Sodhi twice in two occasions now. This is the googly on off, Warner goes back to cut it but misses and the ball strikes the off stump and lobs to hit Seifert on the helmet before going to hit the stumps again. Sodhi and the Kiwis are up and running in celebration. Warner isn't sure whether he is clean bowled or stumped and asks the umpire before walking off after getting the confirmation. Is this the wicket the Kiwis needed?
Ish Sodhi to Ashton Agar. Landed on the stumps, Agar goes back and works it through mid-wicket for one.
Ish Sodhi is back on.
Mitchell Santner to David Warner. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Flatter on off, punched through covers for a brace.
Mitchell Santner to David Warner. NOT OUT! Floated down leg, Warner looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. Seifert whips off the bails and asks the question. It is taken upstairs, even though Warner doesn't look to be in trouble. Replays confirm that his back foot is firmly grounded. This isn't signaled a wide as Warner was attempting the reverse sweep.
Gone? Another one? A stumping appeal against Warner is referred upstairs. Not much of ecstasy from the hosts.
Mitchell Santner to David Warner. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. Two runs added to the total.
Mitchell Santner to Ashton Agar. This one is flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. Agar wanted a second but Warner didn't.
Mitchell Santner to Ashton Agar. Flatter on the pads, Agar fails to flick it away and wears it on the pads.
Surprise!!! Ashton Agar walks in at number 3. Interesting choice. He had a good evening with the ball, will it be the same with the bat?
Colin Munro to D'Arcy Short. 50 and OUT! Short will be kicking himself. He looks to fetch more runs off this over and that proves to be his undoing. Looks to go over long on but fails to get the distance. Chapman from long on settles under it and takes it safely. The crucial breakthrough for New Zealand is here.
Colin Munro to D'Arcy Short. The batsman has punched the ball off the backfoot.
Colin Munro to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Back-to-back fifties for D'Arcy Short. T20Is would be such an easy game for the young man. This is short in length again, he pulls it all through the ground through square leg. It goes straight towards de Grandhomme, who slides and lets it through.
Colin Munro to David Warner. Excellent work by de Grandhomme. Short in length, pulled away through backward square leg. Seems to be a boundary for sure but Colin flings himself to his left and keeps it down to just one.
Colin Munro to David Warner. Length ball outside off, cut away through point for a brace.
Colin Munro to David Warner. FOUR! Hard luck, Boult! Short in length, Warner goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Trent rushes to his left, puts in the slide but the ball deflects off his hands and meets the rope.
Colin Munro is introduced into the attack. Perhaps Williamson feels that pace off the ball is the way forward in the game.
Mitchell Santner to D'Arcy Short. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. Decent first over from Mitch.
Mitchell Santner to D'Arcy Short. Tossed up on the stumps, driven back to the bowler.
Mitchell Santner to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Just over covers! Fired on a fuller length outside off, Short gets his front foot out of the way and goes over covers. The man there leaps yet the ball goes over him and to the fence.
Mitchell Santner to David Warner. Warner works it away through mid-wicket to rotate strike.
Mitchell Santner to D'Arcy Short. Slower through the air this time, Short hangs back and works it through mid-wicket for one.
Ricky Ponting has a chat with Scott Styris on the sidelines. The Australian assistant coach is pretty happy with his squad. He reckons that commentating in the BBL helped him assess the worth of each of the players.
Mitchell Santner to D'Arcy Short. Quicker on the pads, driven towards mid on. The fielder dives and makes a half-stop but no runs conceded.
Happy times! The players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. We are set to get underway now. Mitchell Santner is pressed into the attack. No reduction in overs as of now.
Hoila folks! It's turned around quicker than we expected. The covers are off now and the players are getting ready to come out as well. We should be underway soon. Stay tuned for the updates. As of now, the umpires are having a chat with the ground staff. The batters have been told to wait a bit before coming out as the ropes are being fetched to dry the outfield. Yes, fair call. Players' safety takes precedence.
Bad news folks... The heavens have opened up at the Eden Park, forcing the players off the field. The on-air commentators state that it has started to ease off already and hence it shouldn't be a lengthy halt.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Length ball on the stumps, Warner short arm jabs it straight to mid on. Wasn't too far from the bowler himself. The Aussies are on their way - 55/0 in the Powerplay. Reckon they will be happier of the two when you compare the Kiwis' 63/2 at the same stage?
Tim Southee to David Warner. Short in length, Warner looks to pull but gets it off the gloves towards the keeper. Seifert dives to his right and parries it towards fine leg. Sodhi runs after it from the circle and saves two for the side.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signaled by the umpire
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. SIX! The line changes but not the result. This one is a touch shorter than the previous one and the line is around middle and off. Short stands tall and swings his arms to heave it over mid on. The fielder at long on seemed interested for a wee bit but to no avail. Half ton up for the Aussies, they are 99 runs away from their final destination.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. SIX! Yuvraj Singh anybody? Remember the wristy flicks that he plays for maximums? This is just that. Full on the pads, Short flicks it nonchalantly over deep square leg for half a dozen. His BBL form is wonderfully reflected here.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Full around off and middle, Warner looks to heave it to the on side. Ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls to the off side. A quick run taken.
Tim Southee is swung over.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. SIX! What an end to the over, 16 off it. Shortish in length, Short hangs back and belts it over mid-wicket. Just clears the ropes and gets a biggie.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Yorker on the stumps, squeezed to mid-wicket for one.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Pushed towards covers for a single.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Another one, this time to the right of the bowler. Hurled at a fuller length, D'Arcy hits it down the ground again. Boult gets down but fails to get a hand to that. It is very far from mid off as well and another boundary results.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Delectable shot. The straight drive from a southpaw is a delight to watch and this one is straight as an arrow. Speared full on off and middle, Short drives it where it came from. The ball passes close to the stumps at the other end and goes to the fence. If Trent had managed to get a hand to it and deflect it onto the stumps, Warner could have been a goner, observes Rishi.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Full outside off, hit straight to mid off.
Trent Boult is back on.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Flatter and shorter on off, punched off the back foot to long off to retain strike.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Slower through the air, Short looks to slog it across but gets it off the inner half to short fine leg.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Tossed up around middle and leg, Short defends it with a straight bat.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Tripe! Short in length and around off, Short goes back and punches it through covers. Finds the gap and the fence too.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Loopy delivery around middle, hit straight to mid-wicket.
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. Flatter on the pads, flicked away through square leg for one.
Tim Southee to David Warner. This one is slapped to the man at deep point for a single. This ploy, of having a deep point to Warner, is used by sides to a great deal these days.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. Gone? No, just short! This is on a length in line of the stumps, it is slower in pace. Short looks to hit it over mid off but the ball climbs onto him. He ends up getting it off the higher part of the bat aerially towards Williamson there, who rushes ahead and dives yet the ball lands short. David Lloyd on air analyses that Kane moved back first before coming ahead and hence, couldn't convert that to a catch.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. Hurled around middle and leg, worked away through mid-wicket for a couple.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Length ball on the pads, Warner tucks it to short fine leg and gets to the other end. Sodhi dives and stops that nicely.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. On a length on the pads, D'Arcy works it through square leg and gets to the other end.
Tim Southee replaced Boult. Is Williamson going the Warner way, with respect to his change of bowling?
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. Floated on the stumps, David lunges and defends.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. This one is worked away through mid-wicket to rotate strike.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Clever! Flatter and quicker just outside off, till the batter came into the picture it looked a good one. But Short just lets it come on and guides it just past short third man. Has enough in it to roll away to the fence. Nice way to open your account.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Appeal! Turned down! This is the wrong 'un, Short gets down to sweep. Misses the ball and gets it off his pads to the off side. The Kiwis appeal but don't get the desired decision. Hawk Eye shows it to be pitching outside leg.
Martin Guptill is off the park. He had hit the ball on his foot when he was batting earlier in the evening. One hopes it isn't serious, with an impending England tour in sight.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Served on the stumps, turned towards mid-wicket. Two dots to start from Ish.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Floated on the stumps, defended off the front foot.
Ish Sodhi will share the new ball from the other end. This move doesn't come across as a surprise, considering the way Ashton Agar bowled.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Full and on the pads, Warner misses the flick. That draws a stifled appeal to no avail. Sliding down leg. Decent start from the hosts.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Length ball outside off, hit to cover-point for nothing.
Trent Boult to David Warner. A touch fuller around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Aerial route again. Length ball outside off, David makes some room and chips it over mid off and gets a couple.
A slip goes out now.
Trent Boult to David Warner. FOUR! Warner is underway. In some style, that too! Short in length, he just TIMES the pull shot to perfection. He places it over mid-wicket and the ball has enough in it to just trickle away to the fence for the first one of the innings.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Hurled on a length around off and middle, defended back towards the bowler from the crease.
We are back for the run chase! Hush! T20s have such short breaks, that there barely is any time for a breather. David Warner will face the first ball from Trent Boult. He has D'Arcy Short for company at the other end. Two slips in place.