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AUS beat NZ by 5 wickets | New Zealand vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 5th T20 Match - Commentary
Trans-Tasman T20I Tri-Series, 2018
Date: Feb 16, 2018 Start Time: 11:30 IST | 06:00 GMT | 19:00 LocalVenue: Eden Park, Auckland
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
RCB
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New Zealand vs Australia Highlights And Cricket Score 5th Match - T20 Commentary
Have New Zealand got enough? You have got to be kidding. England must have already thought of preparing for the Kiwi tour later this month. Forget the tri-series final. Let the Trans-Tasman rivals fight it out. The run chase coming up soon...
MARTIN JAMES GUPTILL - People wait for matches to see him flow and when he does flow, he ebbs. That is the way to describe his innings tonight. 105 from 54 balls, with 15 hits to the fence. He started in a flash, then slowed down a little, before eventually picking up again. Good 'support' from Munro too, in his 76 from 33 balls. Meanwhile, Guptill is ready for an interview. He feels he got a nice start to his innings. Further adds that he thought whatever is there in the slot, he will go for it. Is very happy with the total and reckons anything over 200 in T20Is is a great total. Has a special mention about the guy who caught that catch in the crowd and congratulates him for that effort.
One would have though that Australia would pull things back after Munro's wicket but nay, every batsman who came out to the middle, dealt in sixes. Finally, the hosts found some reprieve, from overs 17-19, as they conceded just 19 runs and picked up 4 wickets. In this carnage, only Ashton Agar held his own, with figures of 3-0-24-1.
All the ingredients required for a big total on a small ground after electing to bat, were provided. Munro and Guptill took off like a train which is anxious to cover up for some lost time as it got delayed. 50 was raised in the 5th over while the Powerplay total read 67/0. 100 was raised in the 10th over and when the batsmen got bored enough to hand Australia a wicket, the score read 132/1 in the 11th over.
Phew! We have a break. 14 fours and 18 sixes. Bang, kaboom, smash. What else to write? Still shall try.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. SIX! CRACK! A full ball, on middle, Taylor just deposits this over mid-wicket for a flat hit! 18 runs from the final over as NEW ZEALAND FINISH ON 243/6!
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. ANOTHER WIDE. Action replay of the previous delivery.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. WIDE. Predictable. With Taylor moving across, Tye wants to stay away from him, as far as possible. Bowls it well outside off.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. SIX! A length ball, on middle and Taylor swats it over mid-wicket! The fielder leaps but the ball sails over him. And guess what, someone in the crowd takes a one-handed catch! He is a millionaire!
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. DROPPED! Another lacklustre fielding. Taylor pulls a full toss towards deep mid-wicket where D'Arcy Short gets across to his left. Should have been an easy catch but he spills it. Taylor goes for the second and has to dive in to make it in. The third umpire checks for the run out and also whether Taylor had a short run at the bowler's end but replays show that he is fine.
Andrew Tye to Ben Wheeler. Comes down the track again, gets a yorker, which is dug out down to long on for a run.
Andrew Tye to Ben Wheeler. Dot ball. A length ball, on middle, Wheeler comes down the track to hit it but gets an inside edge which goes over the stumps and bounces in front of the keeper.
Andrew Tye to Ross Taylor. A short ball, pulled to deep square leg for just a single.
Fine leg comes up now.
Andrew Tye to bowl the final over.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Outside off, punched to the off side for a single. 5 runs and a wicket from that over, the last three have gone for 19 runs and yielded 4 wickets. Richardson ends with figures of 4-0-40-2.
Ben Wheeler walks in at number 8, replacing his skipper.
Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson. OUT! Second wicket in the over. Williamson backs away to the leg side and looks to go inside out but is beaten by the slowness on that one. Skews it towards wide long off where Andrew Tye takes a dolly.
Kane Richardson to Ross Taylor. Works this wide of long on, calls for two but his captain sends him back.
Kane Richardson to Kane Williamson. Outside off, tapped towards point for a quick single.
Kane Williamson eventually walks out to bat at number 7, replacing de Grandhomme.
Kane Richardson to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! DRAGGED ON! Another slower one. This is bowled at 117.2 kph, de Grandhomme looks to hit this out of the ground but is deceived by the lack of pace. The ball takes the inner edge and the LED lights glow again on contact.
Kane Richardson to Colin de Grandhomme. OH DEAR... MAXWELL... De Grandhomme works it through mid-wicket and takes a single. Glenn Maxwell rushes across to his right, looks to pick up and throw but in that excitement, he ends up throwing it towards square leg. The batsmen now take the second.
Kane Richardson to bowl the 19th over.
Ross Taylor walks in at number 6, replacing Chapman.
Billy Stanlake to Mark Chapman. OUT! HIT WICKET! That is such an unlucky dismissal. A short ball, around off, Chapman looks to pull but is beaten by pace. Wow. 142.2 kph. He is late onto the shot and the ball goes past his bat and knocks his helmet off,. Worse, the helmet lands, bounces and then hits the stumps. Terribly unlucky. Hope the kid is doing alright. Good finish for Stanlake - 6 from his final over, to end with figures of 4-0-43-1.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. Gets well across his stumps and Stanlake bowls another slower ball. De Grandhomme misses his paddle and is hit on the body. A leg bye taken.
Billy Stanlake to Mark Chapman. A short ball, another slower one, pulled to long on for a single.
Billy Stanlake to Mark Chapman. Excellent slower ball, 112.9 kph, Mark looks to drive but misses.
Billy Stanlake to Mark Chapman. Excellent work from Stoinis now. Chapman flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and the ball races away but Marcus Stoinis rushes to his right and dives to pull the ball in. Two runs taken.
Billy Stanlake to Mark Chapman. MASSIVE WIDE. Tries to follow the batsman down the leg side and ends up bowling outside the pitch. Good keeping by Alex Carey, diving to his right.
Billy Stanlake to Colin de Grandhomme. Full on middle, wristily flicked to deep mid-wicket for a a single.
Billy Stanlake to bowl out.
Andrew Tye to Mark Chapman. The batsman plays the square cut. A committed effort by the fielder to save runs for his team. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Andrew Tye to Mark Chapman. Full and outside off, Mark reaches out to drive but misses.
Colin de Grandhomme is the new batsman in. Sorry, basher in.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. OUT! Guptill departs. A high full toss, on middle, Guptill mistimes his swing over mid-wicket and Glenn Maxwell takes it with ease. He then waits for the umpire's signal to check whether that is a waist-high no ball but the umpires feel it is fine. All the Aussies get across and pat Guptill on his back. What a knock. Have England been knocked out?
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. ANOTHER WIDE. Way outside off, left alone.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. Excellent fielding again! Guptill flicks it through the leg side where Billy Stanlake dives to his left and makes a partial stop. Cannot prevent the double, but to be honest, he has saved a couple.
Andrew Tye to Mark Chapman. Full and outside off, hit straight to Glenn Maxwell at extra cover who returns a wild throw, almost taking the head of the bowler. Chapman looks for the overthrow but the backing up is good enough.
Andrew Tye to Mark Chapman. WIDE. A slower ball gone awry, wide outside off, Chapman lets it through.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. A yorker outside off, squeezed through the off side where backward point dives to his right and dives a certain boundary. Just a single.
Andrew Tye is back on.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. FOUR! Cheeky! Full and on leg stump, Chapman gets across and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary! Stoinis is done and dusted - 4-0-50-0.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. DROPPED! Another blemish for Australia. A short ball, Chapman pulls it straight to Aaron Finch at deep square leg who gets around to his right, but cannot hang on. The batsmen take a couple.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. Clips it through mid-wicket for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. SIX ON THE FREE HIT TOO! What a way to get to the landmark. A short ball, slower in pace, Guptill picks it and swings it over mid-wicket! It lands on the ropes! Second T20I hundred for Guptill!
FREE HIT TIME!
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. SIX! HUMONGOUS! That is just so high! AND IT IS A NO BALL AS WELL! Stoinis has overstepped and dished a half volley on middle, Guptill has just swung it over mid-wicket!
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Lucky. Slower ball, short in length, pulled through square leg where the fielder dives to his right and stops. 18 from that over!
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. SIX! Up and over! A length ball on middle, Guptill lofts it over long on, seems to have mistimed it, but has enough to clear a leaping fielder!
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Short and outside off, Guptill cuts it between point and short third man and beats sweeper cover! Moves to 81 from 45 balls!
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. SIX! CLOUT! Richardson goes for another yorker but dishes up a half volley instead. Guptill gets underneath it and sends it sailing over long on!
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. A yorker and guess what? IT IS A DOT. Gold dust. Dug out to the off side.
Kane Richardson to Mark Chapman. Full and outside off, driven straight to David Warner at extra cover who misses his shy at the bowler's end. A single taken.
Kane Richardson is back on.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. SIX! Beautiful shot. A length ball outside off, Guptill just directs it, calmly over cover and the ball sails over the fence! Spoils that over for Australia, getting 10 from it.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. A short ball, slower in pace, pulled through mid-wicket but straight to the fielder. Just a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. A full toss, lucky to get away with that, flicked through mid-wicket for only one.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Mark Chapman. Down the leg side, cramped for room, Chapman looks to pull but misses and is hit on the pads. Chapman starts to run but is sent back in time. Stoinis tries some football skills but misses the stumps. Chapman dives back in anyways.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. A short ball, around middle, brutally pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis is back into the attack.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. The batsman defends it from within the crease. They pick up a single. 4 runs and a wicket from the over. Agar has perhaps bowled the best over of the innings - 3-0-24-1 are his figures.
Mark Chapman walks in next, at number 4, replacing Seifert.
Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert. OUT! Straight to the man! Agar has a wicket as well. A nothing delivery, full and around off, Seifert just swings it towards deep square leg but it is the longest part of this shortest ground in the universe. Aaron Finch gobbles it with ease.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. And again! This time Guptill has a hack and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg where once more, Stanlake dives and keeps the batsmen to a single.
Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert. Excellent stop! Down the leg side, Tim pulls it through fine leg but Billy Stanlake puts in a massive dive to his left and saves the boundary! Just the single.
Ashton Agar to Tim Seifert. Oh dear... Seifert gets down and attempts the reverse sweep but misses, getting hit in the groin. Agar appeals for LBW, but well, that would have hit the tenth stump down the leg side.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ashton Agar is back on.
Billy Stanlake to Tim Seifert. MISFIELD, FOUR! Hard luck for the Aussies. Seifert drives this wide of long off and the fielder, Ashton Agar, I guess, gets to his left, but slips and the ball goes through! 13 from that over.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Driven towards the long on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. HIGHEST RUN GETTER IN T20IS! Great stuff by Guptill. Goes past Brendon McCullum. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a brace.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. FOUR! That is a poor ball, short and down the leg side, Guptill gets across and just helps it past the keeper to the fine leg fence.
Billy Stanlake to Tim Seifert. The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square. One run added to the total.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Down the leg side, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Here comes the tall fellow. He too, has conceded tall buildings. Billy Stanlake into his third over now.
Andrew Tye to Tim Seifert. SIX! Nice way to start the innings! Full and outside off, Seifert gets into this one and launches it over long off! No man at the ropes, would not have mattered even if there had been one. 25 runs and a wicket as well. Tye's figures read 2-0-38-1.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. The batsman gets a leading edge on that one. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Tim Seifert comes in
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. OUT! Stop the press. Something unusual has happened. An Aussie bowler has picked up a wicket as a mistimed Kiwi shot has founded a human being. Another length ball, nothing much different than the previous one, but Munro is a tad late in swinging this over the leg side. As a result, he mistimes it and finds Glenn Maxwell at long on. Maxwell catches it and points his finger towards his team mates. That was really a risky way to field. Maxwell was standing with the sun right in his eyes, yet did not prefer to wear glasses. They check for the no ball but Tye is just fine. End of the 132-run stand in just 64 balls.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. SIX! Hat-trick! The bowler can only scratch his head. Nothing the Aussies can do tonight, it seems. Another length ball on middle, Munro just swats it over mid-wicket. There is a fielder near the ropes but he can only watch the ball sail over!
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. SIX! Number two in 2 balls. Down the leg side, Munro plays half a sweep, half a paddle and sends it over square leg. 70 from 31 balls. Where is the next one coming from?
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. SIX! CLUNK! Andrew has not been able to tie down the batsmen either. A length ball on middle, Munro gives himself room to the leg side and swings it cleanly over long on! Munro moves to 64 from 30!
Andrew Tye is brought back.
D'Arcy Short to Colin Munro. The batsman defends it from within the crease. They pick up a single. 19 off the over.
D'Arcy Short to Colin Munro. FOUR! More runs! Tossed up around middle and leg, Munro sweeps it through backward square leg. Gets another boundary to his name. This is dangerous for the Aussies now.
D'Arcy Short to Colin Munro. SIX! Munro's turn now. Gets a floated delivery on a fuller length, he hits it straight over the bowler's head for half a dozen. Gets to his 6th T20I fifty. A century night?
D'Arcy Short to Martin Guptill. Swept away through square leg for a single.
D'Arcy Short to Martin Guptill. SIX! With the previous biggie that Guptill hit, he went past McCullum for most maximums hit by a Kiwi and you can add one more to that, his 93rd. This is flatter and fuller around middle, Guptill gets down on a knee and bashes it high over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. He is second in the list now for most sixes hit in T20Is. Also, this is his 14th T20I half century, his first against Australia.
D'Arcy Short to Colin Munro. It's been lofted over mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
More spin. D'Arcy Short to have a bowl now. KI has a message for him - Short, don't drop it short otherwise your bowling maybe cut short. Hush... too many shorts in there, including the ground dimensions.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. This ball is driven to long on for one.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. This one is patted through mid-wicket for a brace.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Good comeback. Another full delivery darted in, Munro gets an inside edge onto his boots. Dot ball.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. SIX! You give pace on this track and the ball disappears. Fired in line of the stumps, Munro thrashes it over long on for another biggie.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Now Guptill sweeps it towards short fine leg for a single.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Served around middle and leg, slog swept through mid-wicket for one.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. Well bowled. Full and swinging in, clipped to mid-wicket for one. Such has been the evening so far, that a single-digit run over seems to be an excellent one. 8 off this one.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. Length ball on the stumps, pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. Straight on to the boots. That surely must be painful for the batsman. One run added to the total. The Umpire signals Leg Bye.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. FOUR! This is the second time Munro gets a edge that has taken the ball to the fence. Length ball slanting away, Munro looks to play it to the on side. Seems to have got off his shoulders but it is signaled as runs. Lynn runs after it from short third man but doesn't get in the dive owing to his weak shoulder.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. Full and swinging in, Munro flicks it straight to mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. On a length around off and middle, Guptill pats it towards wide mid on and gets to the other end.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Fuller on the pads, Munro misses in his attempted sweep shot. A rare dot to end the over. 9 runs off Agar's first, a decent start.
Munro has some issues with his WMD. Seem to have a look at it after he played that shot for a single. Has a change of bat now.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Shorter in length, pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. Flatter outside off, Munro looks to blast it over long off but gets it off the bottom of the blade to the man for a single.
Ashton Agar to Colin Munro. SIX! Effortless, brilliant and maximum! This is fired in on a length aiming at the off stump. Munro has his balance on the back foot and just smites this powerfully over wide long on for half a dozen. He moves to 30 with that.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Darted on middle and leg, turned through mid-wicket to get to the other end.
Ashton Agar to Martin Guptill. Floated outside off, cut away straight to backward point.
Spin time! Ashton Agar to roll his arm over now. The tourists will hope the change of pace dictates the change in domination as well.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. Lucky to get away is Stoinis! Length ball on the pads, flicked straight to short fine leg. A run taken and New Zealand end the Powerplay on 67/0.
Marcus Stoinis to Martin Guptill. Hurled outside off, hit straight to covers.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. This length ball around middle is pushed towards mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. WIDE! A bouncer gone wrong. Well over the batter's head.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. FOUR! Not good lines. Bowled on a length on the pads, Colin moves in a touch and just helps this away over short fine leg with a pull. Gets another boundary against his name.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. On a length outside off, Munro finds short third man with this glide.
Marcus Stoinis to Colin Munro. FOUR! What a way to welcome Stoinis into the attack. He delivers a full ball around off, Munro's turn now to get the front leg out of the way. Does so and hits it cleanly over covers. Almost goes the distance.
Marcus Stoinis to have a go with the ball now. Can he be the magician who brings about the breakthrough for the Aussies?
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Fortunes are smiling on Guptill today! A low full toss angling down leg, he looks to help it on its way. Ends up getting it off the top edge that comfortably clears short fine leg. 13 runs off Tye's first.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. Guptill looks to ramp it over the keeper but misses.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. SIX! Guptill continues his carnage! Gets his front leg out of the way yet again and blasts this over long off for another maximum. Brings up the 50 for the Kiwis, in quick time.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. Punched towards mid off from the crease for a single.
Andrew Tye to Martin Guptill. The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.
Andrew Tye to Colin Munro. DROPPED? Not an easy one though. Tye spears in a full on around off, Munro looks to play the drive but ends up getting it off the inner half back towards the bowler. Andrew gets his hands to that one but fails to latch onto that to his left. Ends up reducing the pace off that and a run is taken.
Andrew Tye to bowl first change.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. Punched on the up towards covers. The fielder dives but ends up parrying it towards mid off. A run is taken.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. FOUR! This track looks good for stroke-play. This is a half-volley, Munro just plays the chip shot to the off side. Seems to have found mid off there but that fielder is cleared with ease and gets a one-bounce boundary.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Shorter in length, pulled towards short fine leg for one.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Good response from the bowler. Bangs it short on the stumps, Martin ducks to let it go.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. SIX! Huuugeeeee! Clean strike. Guptill charges down the track and converts this length ball into a full one. Goes through with his shot and hits it nice and long straight over the bowler's head for half a dozen. He moves to 26 off just 15.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Landed on a length outside off, punched straight to covers.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. Well kept, Alex! Just outside off on a length, Munro gets a bottom edge as he looks to slap it. Carey dives to his right and prevents the ball from passing him. After a couple of big overs, just 6 runs off this one. Calm after the storm.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Back of a length ball on the pads, Martin misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A leg bye results.
Long off comes in and mid-wicket goes back to the fence.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. This delivery is hit straight to mid-wicket.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. Short in length, pulled through square leg for one.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. Another slower delivery, the line is wider this time. Colin charges down and has a swipe at that but misses.
Kane Richardson to Colin Munro. FOUR! Kiwis' evening already? This is a well disguised slower delivery on a length just outside off. Munro is cramped up for room as he looks to punch it through the off side. Gets a thick inside edge that takes the ball just past the off pole and through to the fine leg fence.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. SIX! BOOOM! There's no second guessing Guptill's mood this evening. Murderous is the word. Gets a full delivery around off, he gets his front leg out of the way and smites it long over the long off fence. First biggie of the game.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. This ball is defended from the crease with a straight bat.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Full around off, Guptill clears his front leg and mistimes his smash straight to mid off. Has a look at the bottom of his bat post that.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. Almost chopped on. This is hurled outside off, Martin looks to block but gets a bottom edge just past the off stick.
Billy Stanlake to Martin Guptill. FOUR! The best of the boundaries so far. Back of a length angling into the batter. Guptill arches back and sees it off his blade as he ramps it well over short third man.
Billy Stanlake to Colin Munro. Good running. Length ball to start from Billy, Munro just punches it through mid-wicket. Agar gives it a laboured chase and allows the batters to come back for the third.
Billy Stanlake to run in from the other end. A slip in place for him too.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. FOUR! What an edge! Yes, you read it right. On a length outside off, Guptill hangs his bat out at that. Gets a thick outside edge past short third man. Lynn runs after it but can't get close to that. A boundary to start and one to end. 12 off the first over.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Hurled around off, defended from the crease.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. WIDE! Kane needs to exert some control here. Sprays this down the leg side, Carey has to dive full length to his left to collect that.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. WIDE! This is delivered well outside off on a fuller length, Guptill just lets it be. The umpire has to stretch his arms.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Nicely tucked away in front of square on the leg side for a couple. Good running.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Length ball angling in, Guptill misses his flick and wears it high on the front pad. The Australians appeal as the ball rolls towards short third man. Height seems to be the factor as the umpire shakes his head.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. Fuller in length and outside off, driven straight to covers.
Kane Richardson to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Not the ideal start for the Aussies. Richardson spears this full in line of the middle and leg stumps, Guptill gets it off the inner half of the blade past short fine leg. Stanlake there, has no chance of chasing that. Nice start for Martin and the Kiwis.
It's 1900 local time, meaning, time to get underway. The umpires are out followed by the Aussies, who jog and hop their way to the middle, brimming with confidence. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro stride out with the blade in their hand. Kane Richardson will use the new ball first up. The right-hander will face him. A slip in place. Here we go...
TOSS - The coin flips in Kane Williamson's favour and NEW ZEALAND WILL BAT FIRST again. Mitchell Santner is out. We hear that it's a knee niggle that's ruled him out. Ben Wheeler, the left arm seamer takes his place in the XI. David Warner has lost his first toss in this series and goes in with an unchanged side. Australia chased the last time these two sides met and will do so yet again. Whether that gets them success is for us to witness.
Australia have found a nice combination of players who have helped them gain momentum and hence the favourable results. Although his bat has been silent, David Warner's aggressive captaincy is making the right noise and has been instrumental in them being in the position they are. New Zealand just seem to have found the right combo, as their previous outing suggests. The newcomers Tim Seifert and Mark Chapman slid into their respective roles just like feet slip into the right-sized shoes. Kane Williamson being back among the runs also augurs well. We should have a cracking contest in our hands. Be here as we get to you the toss and the teams in a bit.
It's time for game 5 in this triangular T20I series involving the Kiwis, Aussies and the English. Today, the Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia clash against each other at Eden Park. While the tourists are sitting pretty after sealing a final berth, the hosts would be on the lookout for a win that confirms even their name for the same. When these two faced each other on the visitors' shores earlier in the series, the Australians came out on the right side. Revenge on the minds of the Black Caps? We welcome you to this mouthwatering contest. Remember, England would silently be hoping for their Ashes rivals to win just to keep their hopes to make it to the final alive.
Were my fingers any tireder? Maybe not. That concludes the hit-balls-out-of-the-park-for-free game. We have two more T20Is to go in the series and the next one is a knockout one. The hosts will face England in a clash that'll complete the line-up for the final. The Englishmen will have to beat the Black Caps by a significant margin to go through. It promises to be an enthralling match on the outset. Do join us on February 18, 2018, at 1900 local time (0600 GMT) for that contest. Till then, adios, ta-ta!
David Warner, the victorious Aussie skipper, reckons that when someone like Martin Guptill does as well as he did, it is important to forget the scoreboard and just play the game aggressively. Talks about playing with freedom and backing oneself in such conditions. Says that playing for the nation is a pleasure and the talks revolved about doing so with a smile and enjoying what they are doing. About bowling on such surfaces, he mentions about doing the best to pull the score back and then backing yourself to chase it down.
Kane Williamson, the glum-looking home skipper, says that with such a small ground and a good surface, this was always on the cards. Reckons they felt they had enough at the halfway stage. Admits to this being a tough game for the bowlers as the Aussies came hard at them. Adds further that even after bowling well, when the edges and miscues result in runs, it is not good for the bowlers. States it is important for them to swallow this and turn up fresh in the next game on a better track, which they'll look to do.
D'Arcy Short is the Man of the Match for his stellar 76. He reckons this has been a good run chase for his side. Says that they knew how to approach this by watching the Kiwis bat. Adds that often when chasing big totals, the key is to get going from ball one and that's what they did. Ends saying that they would keep backing themselves and look to play in the same way in the upcoming games as well.
Poor bowlers, what do we write about them when 488 runs are scored in 38.5 overs bowled in the contest. Ish Sodhi, with an economy of 8.75 rpo, was the best of the lot for New Zealand, where the others conceded runs at more than 10 an over. Ben Wheeler had a forgetful night as he had to be taken out of the attack for bowling two no balls for height. One can say that they got a dose of their own medicine as earlier in the evening, Martin Guptill smashed his way to his second T20I ton, which helped his side equal its highest score in the format. Hang on for the presentation...
D'Arcy Short and David Warner gave Australia the perfect start with a fiery 121-run stand. The former continued nicely even after the latter's dismissal. Both of them notched up their respective fifties in the process. Each of the batters apart from the last two hit at least one six in a game where it was yours for the taking. Glenn Maxwell spent time with Short, enough to string together 56 with the southpaw. Aaron Finch then just added the finishing touches to make sure there are no blips to the final outcome.
Hush! End of the run-collecting festival! Let all the talks about how good or bad such high-scoring games can be, carry on. Australia would take nothing of that as they have pulled off the highest successful run chase in all T20s. Wonder who loves such bowlers-bashing games, but certainly two sides are sure to be happy with the outcome tonight - Australia, for the obvious reasons, and England. Yes, the latter, because this result means that their hopes of making it to the final is still ALIVE! You now know, from where the secret thank-you gift will be traveling tonight. Psst... forget about the Ashes rivalry!
Colin de Grandhomme to Aaron Finch. SIX! BASHED! Ideal way to cap the run-fest! Finch makes room and smites it way over long on to STAMP AUSTRALIA'S AUTHORITY WITH A 5-WICKET WIN!
Colin de Grandhomme to Alex Carey. Outside off, pushed through point for one to get going. Wonder for how long, though.
Alex Carey is next in.
Colin de Grandhomme to Marcus Stoinis. OUT! No celebration from the hosts. This is pushed past backward point and Stoinis wants two immediately. Wheeler runs to his left in the deep and fires a flat throw to the keeper who takes the bails off in a flash. It is taken upstairs. The replay shows Stoinis is short of his crease.
Run out appeal taken upstairs. It is against Stoinis.
Colin de Grandhomme to Aaron Finch. This one is lofted high in the air but it doesn't carry to long on. A run taken.
Colin de Grandhomme to Aaron Finch. WIDE! This is sprayed down the leg side, Aaron misses the flick.
Colin de Grandhomme to Marcus Stoinis. Full outside off, pushed through cover-point for one.
Colin de Grandhomme is brought back. 10 needed off the last 12 balls.
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. Short delivery, Finch misses the pull shot.
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Well played. Length ball outside off, Finch guides it past short third man for a boundary.
Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis. The batsman plays the pull shot. One run added to the total.
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. Short in length, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one.
Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis. Similar delivery, this time whipped away through mid-wicket for one.
Tim Southee to Marcus Stoinis. Length ball on the stumps, Stoinis looks to whip but gets an inside edge onto his box. Painful. He is down on his haunches.
Trent Boult to Aaron Finch. SIX! Full on off and middle, Finch smites it over wide long on for another huge hit. Just 17 needed off the last three overs.
Trent Boult to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Boult strays on the pads with this length ball, Finch gets an inside edge past short fine leg for a boundary.
Marcus Stoinis is the next man in.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. OUT! Short's innings ends 24 short of the triple figure mark. Banged short from over the wicket, it brings about the downfall of Short, who looks to pull it but ends up getting a top edge. The ball flies high in the air and Seifert runs to his right and hangs on to that. A good knock from the youngster comes to an end.
Trent Boult to Aaron Finch. From round the wicket, Trent hurls it outside off, Finch plays it through point for one.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Taken but this was a Free Hit! Full on off, Short picks out Southee at long on. But he cannot be dismissed off this one and a run results.
According to the rules, since Wheeler has bowled two beamers in the over, he has to be out of the attack for the night. Trent Boult to complete the remaining over.
Ben Wheeler to Aaron Finch. COSTLY, COSTLY STUFF! A high full toss around middle and leg, Finch pulls it straight to Guptill at deep mid-wicket. He starts to walk off but the umpire tells him to wait to check the height of that delivery. On having another look, it is deemed to be over the permissible height and hence Finch stays on. What's more, this is the second one in the over and hence that's it for Wheeler tonight with the ball - 3.1-0-64-0.
Another Free Hit coming up...
Is Finch a goner? He is caught in the deep but seems to be a high ball... Let's see...
Ben Wheeler to Aaron Finch. FOUR! This is angled wide of the batter from over the wicket. Would have been a wide had he let it be. But Finch goes after it and gets a thick outside edge past the keeper, who had anticipated this and moved to his right but to no avail.
Free Hit coming up...
Ben Wheeler to Aaron Finch. SIX! Poor delivery. It's a NO BALL FOR HEIGHT as well. Wheeler spears in a high full toss on the stumps, Finch is in no position to pull that away. Gets a top edge and the ball sails over the fine leg fence.
Ben Wheeler back for his last over. 3-0-51-0 so far.
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. Short in length, pulled away through square leg to retain strike.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. Length ball angling away, pushed through covers to get to the other end.
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. Pushed through mid on to get off the mark and bring up 200 FOR AUSTRALIA!
Tim Southee to Aaron Finch. Full outside off, Finch fails to dig it out. The ball goes to the keeper and Southee is the only one appealing for a caught behind. Doesn't get the decision in his favour.
Aaron Finch is next in to bat.
Tim Southee to Glenn Maxwell. OUT! Revenge taken, if it is a thing in sport. A slower delivery on a length around off, Maxwell gets his front leg out of the way to smash it over covers. He is through with his shot at 10 am while the ball arrives at 11 am. Ends up getting a thin inside edge onto the stumps. Aussies need 45 off 28 now.
Tim Southee to Glenn Maxwell. FOUR! Shot! Full in length, Maxwell just lifts it back over the bowler and gets a one-bounce boundary.
Tim Southee is brought back for another spell.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. One run added to the total. That's it for Sodhi tonight - 4-0-35-1.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. WELL IN! Nicely tossed up on the stumps, Maxwell coils to go downtown but fails to make contact. Seifert collects the ball that just came over the stumps and whips the bails off. Third umpire is called for, who has a couple of looks and deems Glenn to be safe.
Stumping appeal against Maxwell referred upstairs.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Similar delivery, pushed towards cover-point for one.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Googly outside off, pushed towards covers.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. Another one on a shorter length, pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Bad ball. Very bad ball. Half-tracker on the stumps, Maxwell goes back and bashes it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.
Ish Sodhi back on.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell retains strike by pushing this through mid off.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. FOUR! This is clever. But you can't really laud the shots because of the ones that yielded runs earlier in the game. Boult delivers a cutter on a shorter length just outside off. Maxwell seems to have spotted it early. He was aiming to play the upper cut but then adjusts and guides it over the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! If we generate a heat map instead of the wagon wheel today for the runs scored, we shall see a bright red color in the third man/ fine leg region. This is on a length outside off, Short gets it off the inner half past the stumps for another boundary.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Well bowled. Spears in a yorker on the pads, Short fails to get any wood to that.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell pats it to the on side and gets to the other end.
Trent Boult to run in for his third over.
Ben Wheeler to Glenn Maxwell. Short in length, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one. Just 3 runs off the last 4 balls after 10 from the first two.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. Fuller ball tailing in, Short looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads and to the off side. A run taken.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. DOT BALL! Yes, that's an event in a run fest such as this. Fuller outside off, Short can only squeeze it back to the bowler. The crowd cheers.
Ben Wheeler to Glenn Maxwell. Ducked away off the middle! Banged short on the stumps, Maxwell looks to sway away from the line but keeps his bat hanging up. The ball goes off the middle in the air and lands towards third man. A run taken.
Ben Wheeler to Glenn Maxwell. FOUR! This is flat-batted like a tennis stroke over covers. Glenn succeeds in beating the man charging to his right in the deep. Gets a boundary.
Ben Wheeler to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Here comes Wheeler and there goes Wheeler! Steams in from over the wicket and delivers a length ball around middle and leg. Maxwell is in too good a form to let that go unpunished. Clears his front leg and whams it over wide long on for a huge hit.
Ben Wheeler is back.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Another short ball, pulled away front of square on the leg side for a boundary. Runs are coming like water from an open tap.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. SIX! Colin isn't helping his side with the lengths that he is bowling. This is on a length from round the wicket, Short goes back and pulls it over long on for another biggie.
Colin de Grandhomme to Glenn Maxwell. On the pads, worked round the corner for one. Off the mark.
David Warner has a chat on the sidelines. He says that he observed Guptill play and reckons the sides square of the wicket are a bit longer. Adds hence, that the target was to hit through straight lines. States that the odds are looking good for them to gun this down. Mentions about his innings being good to shake off the poor form.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. The batsman just lofts it over mid off. One run added to the total.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. WIDE! Full and well outside the tramline. Left alone.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. SIX! BAM! Banged short on the stumps, Short stays back and pulls it over deep square leg for half a dozen.
Glenn Maxwell walks in at number 4.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. OUT! End of the Lynn show tonight. Nothing significant from the batter. This is full outside off, he squeezes this out. Does so rather too well and the ball travels straight to Guptill at sweeper cover, who doesn't miss out this time. His side is still 101 runs away from the target at this stage.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The fielder goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. FOUR! Bashed! This is served on the stumps, Chris makes room and smashes it down the ground. Long on and long off are not even in the frame.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Floated up on the stumps, Lynn looks to go big but gets an inside edge onto the pads and towards the keeper.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. WIDE! Nicely tossed up but the line is a bit awry here. Is well wide of the tramline. Lynn backs away to swat it over but misses.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. A googly on a shorter length outside off, Short goes back and punches it through mid on for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. A touch shorter on the stumps, whipped away through mid-wicket for one.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Stifled appeal, turned down. Floated up just outside off, Lynn gets down to sweep but misses. Gets rapped on the back leg but he is well across.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. Outside off, punched through the covers. Lynn is happy with the single but Short is halfway down the track for the second. Is sent back just in time.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. DROPPED! Not acceptable at this level. A short ball outside off, Lynn backs away and looks to play the upper cut. Mistimes it badly enough to see the ball land safely into Martin Guptill's hands. But oops... he slides and drops it! Two runs taken.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. Flicks this past short fine leg and gets a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. SIX! Off the leading edge. Cricket is not being played on the park tonight. Something else. A full ball outside off, Lynn looks to flick but gets a massive leading edge which sails over long off! Hot Spot shows that to have come from the middle of the bat. Cannot agree.
Colin de Grandhomme to Chris Lynn. A short ball, Lynn looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Full and outside off, pushed with the turn behind point for one. 10 runs but the big wicket of David Warner in it. Sodhi doing well again - 2-0-18-1 so far.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. A short ball now,. Short goes back and punches it through the covers. Lynn wants the second but Short does not agree.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Another wrong 'un, on middle, Lynn lunges to defend and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through square leg. A single taken.
Chris Lynn walks in at number 3, replacing his captain.
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. OUT! BOWLED! Sodhi gets the skipper! The googly, dropped short, on middle, Warner goes back to pull but the ball stays low and skids through. Hits the timber. Sodhi is pumped up and so is the entire Eden Park crowd. Is that the game?
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. SIX! That is a short ball and Warner miscues his pull. Still, it sails comfortably over long on.
Corey Anderson is giving an interview on the sidelines. Says that he is slowly getting back to fitness and is working on his bowing. Is really excited to see the Black Caps perform so well with the bat. Smiles on being asked about the same and says that it is thrilling to see Guptill and Munro tee off. Admits that the bowlers are under pressure but a couple of good overs should put the Kiwis on top.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Lucky! Warner looks to go over the top but gets a top edge. Point runs back but cannot get there. The batsmen get back for the second.
Colin de Grandhomme to D'Arcy Short. Outside off, Short just blocks it towards point and takes a comfortable run.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Outside off, pushed past a diving extra cover towards long off for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. FOUR! Another streaky boundary. Full and outside off, Warner looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge, wide of the diving keeper to the third man fence. 13th T20I Fifty after 12 innings without a half century for Warner, his least convincing one.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. Down the leg side, DW miscues his pull and the ball lands just short of Colin Munro rushing in from deep mid-wicket. But he stumbles and fumbles and the batsmen charge back for the second.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. WIDE. Overcompensates for the previous delivery, bowls it well outside off, David thinks about going after it but then bails out.
Colin de Grandhomme to David Warner. FOUR! FETCH THAT! A long hop, right in the middle of the pitch, Warner goes back and drags a pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA, IN JUST 43 BALLS.
Man with the golden arm. Colin de Grandhomme into the attack.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. The googly, outside off, D'Arcy looks to slog but misses.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.
Ish Sodhi to David Warner. A yorker, outside leg, Warner can only dig it out to short fine leg for a run.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. Misses out. A short ball, but Short is not able to take full toll. Pulls it straight to deep backward square leg for only a single.
Ish Sodhi to D'Arcy Short. OVERTHROW. Full and outside off, Short looks to play the slog but gets a top edge. It does not carry to short third man who returns a wild throw, well wide of the keeper and concedes the second.
Time for spin. Ish Sodhi into the attack now.
Tim Southee to David Warner. SIX! Fine shot. A short ball, around off, Warner pulls this massively over mid-wicket. Now that is a good shot. Would have been a six even at the MCG. 91/0 in the Powerplay. I just asked my colleague to pinch me, to ensure that I am not playing a video game.
Some disturbance behind the bowler's arm.
Tim Southee to David Warner. A short ball around leg stump, David backs away and attempts the upper cut but misses.
Tim Southee to David Warner. SIX! 'Will this match end inside 15 overs?' quips my colleague KilVish. Another outrageous outcome. Good ball from the bowler, but for no reward. Full and outside off, Warner just chips it over mid off. Should have been a single but it is 6 times more.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. Full and outside off, driven wide of mid off for a run.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! FEROCIOUS! Rubbish ball, short and down the leg side, with fine leg up, Short just pulls it over that man and the ball nearly carries all the way. One bounce and into the fence. 166 more needed from 88 balls.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Full and on off, driven towards mid off for a quick single.
Tim Southee now, to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single. 22 runs from that one!
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. Dropped short, heaved to mid-wicket for a single.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. FIVE WIDES! Oh dear... bangs this in the middle of the pitch, does Wheeler and the wheels of the ball come off. It sails over the keeper to the fine leg fence.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. Full and outside off, squeezed through the covers for a single.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. SIX! Another miscue, another six. A short ball, outside off, Warner looks to pull but miscues it. But does it matter on this ground? Sails over long on.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. ANOTHER WIDE. Action replay of the previous delivery.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Warner misses his flick.
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. SIX! CREAMED! A short ball, Warner pulls it over mid-wicket and gets half a dozen!
Ben Wheeler to David Warner. A short ball outside off, Warner looks to pull but misses.
Ben Wheeler gets a change of ends too.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for an easy couple. 50 COMES UP FOR AUSTRALIA, in just the 4th over. First for he Aussies in this series.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. WIDE. Slips this down the leg side, DAS cannot connect his flick.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Three dots in a row. Boult takes the pace off this one, D'Arcy is early into his pull and hits it straight to short mid-wicket. Something is gonna give.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Another dot. Perfect yorker, on middle, dug out back to the bowler.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. A DOT!
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Another lucky shot. A length ball outside off, Short pushes at it and gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps towards fine leg Ish Sodhi gives a good chase from short fine leg, gets to the ball, pulls it back but then deflects it away again.
Trent Boult to David Warner. Outside off, dabbed to third man where the fielder almost makes a mess of a regulatory stop. Just a single.
Change of ends for Trent Boult.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! A short ball, down the leg side, this is pulled nicely over short fine leg for another boundary. 16 from that one.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. DROPPED, FOUR! Tough luck for the keeper. Another short ball, down the leg side, Short goes for the pull again but is cramped for room once more. The ball flies off his gloves and Tim Seifert flies to his right, gets a glove to it but cannot hang on. The ball races to the fine leg fence.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. WIDE. Short and down the leg side, Short looks to pull but misses. Southee appeals for the catch but is greeted with a wide. Nothing from the keeper.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Again, taking the pace off, pushed towards cover for one.
Tim Southee to D'Arcy Short. Full on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Tim Southee to David Warner. Slower ball, short again, heaved to deep mid-wicket for a single. David moves to 10 from 5 balls.
Tim Southee to David Warner. FOUR! CRACK! A bad ball. Short with fine leg up, Warner swivels and pulls it over short fine leg for a boundary!
Tim Southee is brought into the attack now.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. 16 from that over.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Another edge. On a length outside off, Short looks to tuck it to the leg side but gets a leading edge. No prizes for guessing. It flies past Colin de Grandhomme at short third man and reaches the fence. Ridiculous.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! More luck. On a length outside off, Short swings hard and gets an inside edge which flies past the stumps to the fine leg fence!
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. SIX! Lucky me. A length ball outside off, Short swings with all his might and gets a top edge. It sails over third man!
A mini-conference going on between Guptill, Wheeler and Williamson. Now Guptill goes back and Southee joins in. Okay... the break is because Short wants a new bat.
Ben Wheeler to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, worked straight to short mid-wicket. Martin Guptill has a shy at the striker's end and they check for the run out but replays show that Short is not short of his crease.
Ben Wheeler to bowl from the other end. Interesting.
Trent Boult to David Warner. FOUR! Over the man! On a length outside off, Warner looks to go over mid off but checks his shot. No point. The ball still flies over mid off and reaches the fence. 11 from the opening over.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Full and wide outside off, D'Arcy throws his bat at that but misses. The Kiwis appeal for the catch but the umpire stays put. The Black Caps contemplate for the review but then decide against it. Ross Taylor jokingly asks the umpire, if it was not an edge, then why wasn't it a wide?
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. FIVE WIDES! Too short. Short bails out of the pull shot and poor Tim Seifert leaps full stretch, still cannot reach.
Trent Boult to D'Arcy Short. Down the leg side, Short misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.
Trent Boult to David Warner. A length ball outside off, straightaway the cutter, Warner looks for the pull but gets an inside edge through square leg. A single taken.
Trent Boult to David Warner. A length ball outside off, swung towards deepish mid on.
We are back. No mercy on the commentators. Have not even finished my coffee. Anyways, David Warner and D'Arcy Short are the openers for Australia. Trent Boult to start off against the Aussie captain. Here we go...