Warner ‘couldn’t be prouder’ after Australia win title CRICKET
Australia claimed the trans-Tasman Twenty20 tri-series after Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch helped secure a 19-run win against New Zealand under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the rain-affected final.
Maxwell scored 20 while Finch was 18 not out as they combined for 37 runs after Australia had lost three quick wickets in the middle of their innings to give the hosts and their fans at Eden Park slim hopes of an upset victory.
The Australians, who won all five of their matches in the series that also included England, were 121-3 when they were forced off for rain for the second time during their innings. They had restricted New Zealand to 150-9.
“Right from the get go we played superb cricket,” Australia captain David Warner said. “I just asked the guys to execute with energy in everything we did and they have.
“People talk about us not taking T20 seriously, but this bunch have come ... with superb form and I couldn’t be prouder of the guys.
“It proves the great depth in Australia cricket.”
Both sides had scored more than 240 runs each on the same pitch last Friday, but Australia ensured that would not happen again as they bowled a fuller length, cleverly changed their pace and set up the victory.
The hosts had got off to flying start with Martin Guptill (21) and Colin Munro (29) smashing 48 from 4.3 overs before their dismissals in the space of five balls robbed the innings of momentum.
New Zealand were unable to establish any partnerships until they had been reduced to 1108 with 6.2 overs remaining.
Ross Taylor (43 not out) and Ish Sodhi then put on 38 to ensure they saw out their full-quota of overs.
Left arm-spinner Ashton Agar, who ripped the heart out of New Zealand’s middle order, was man-of-the match after he finished with 3-27. New Zealand lost their final eight wickets for the addition of 62 runs.
Australia’s run chase was not affected by an injury to batsman Chris Lynn, who dislocated his right shoulder while diving in the field.
Lynn, 27, has had three surgeries on his left shoulder and appeared to be protecting it in his dive but landed awkwardly, jarred his right shoulder and was immediately assisted from the field and taken to hospital for scans.
Opener D’Arcy Short was the star of the run chase, belting three sixes and six fours en route to 50 from 30 balls.
Along with Warner (25), the duo put on 72 runs to set the foundation before they fell in quick succession, but Finch and Maxwell settled the innings down to ensure victory when rain forced them off.
Australia also moved to the top of world T20 rankings with the win.
“We didn’t assess as well as we could have,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said.
“The wicket was quite different from the last game and I think another 20 runs could have made it competitive. But congratulations to David and his team they deserved to win.”
People talk about us not taking T20 seriously, but this bunch have come ... It proves the great depth in Australia cricket
DAVID WARNER Australia captain