Eden Park turns into a batting heaven as Australia pull off a record 244-run chase in T20 tie over Kiwis. mid-day gives a lowdown on yesterday's sizzler
Australia's D'Arcy Short bats during their T20 clash against NZâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088 in Auckland yesterday. Pic/AFP
Short overshadows Guptill's record
D'Arcy Short's 44-ball 76 put Kiwi opener Martin Guptill's 54-ball 105 in the shade. Guptill's knock earned him two records - he became international T20's highest run scorer, aggregating 2188 runs to surpass former teammate Brendon McCullum. Guptill's 49-ball century was New Zealand's fastest T20 ton.
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NZ's Martin Guptill celebrates his century against Australia in Auckland yesterday. Pic/AFP
Flying start
Guptill plundered nine sixes and six fours after NZ elected to bat. He was supported by opener Colin Munro, who slammed 76 off 33 balls. Australia made a flying start in reply, with openers David Warner and Short racing to 51 without loss after four overs. Warner's half century came off just 20 balls and the partnership reached 121 before spinner Ish Sodhi bowled the Aus captain for 59. His departure did not slow down Short, who anchored the innings with 76 from 44 to earn the man-of-the match award. Australia chased the target in 18.5 overs and with five wickets in hand.
Australia's Aaron Finch (left) and Alex Carey celebrate their thrilling T20I win over New Zealand yesterday. Pic/AFP
Decisive moment
When NZ pacer Ben Wheeler was removed from the attack in the 17th over after his two waist height no-balls, the equation had come down to 29 off 23 balls from 42 off 24. Though Trent Boult, who replaced Wheeler, dismissed Short, Aaron Finch (36 not out off 14 balls) continued to attack as he ended the over with a four and six. Australia now needed 17 off the last three overs.
That's bizarre
The match had its share of strange moments, including New Zealand batsman Mark Chapman's dismissal, when a fizzing Billy Stanlake ball knocked off his helmet and sent it rolling onto the stumps. The umpires also ordered Black Caps seamer Ben Wheeler (in pic) out of the attack after two high no-balls, with the unfortunate bowler conceding 64 runs off 3.1 overs.
What led to the run fest?
A combination of Eden Park's short boundaries and a flat pitch produced a batsman's paradise that frustrated bowlers from both sides and set records tumbling.
A fan takes a one-handed catch to win 50,000 New Zealand dollars during the T20I tie between NZâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088and Australia at Eden Park. Pic/AFP
What next for the Kiwis?
Australia have already reached the series final in Auckland, with four wins from four preliminary matches. Kiwis' hopes of reaching the decider now rest on their clash with England in Hamilton on Sunday.
488
Number of runs scored in 38.5 overs at Eden Park yesterday - the second highest run aggregate ever in a T20I after India v WI clash in 2016
18
Number of wides Kiwis conceded in the match - the fourth-most in T20Is
32
Number of sixes smashed in the match - the joint-highest in a T20I
64
Runs conceded by Andrew Tye in his four overs - the worst T20I spell by an Aus pacer
91
Runs scored in the Powerplay by Australia - the joint-highest in T20Is along with the Netherlands and Ireland
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