AUCKLAND: Australia secured a comprehensive victory over New Zealand in the rain-affected third Twenty20 match in Auckland on Sunday, completing a clean sweep of the series with a 27-run win.
Batting first, Australia posted 118-4 from 10.4 overs before rain interruptions led to adjustments under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, setting a revised target of 126 off 10 overs for New Zealand. Despite Glenn Phillips’ notable effort with an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls, New Zealand fell short at 98-3.
Spencer Johnson shone in his debut appearance for Australia, claiming figures of 1-10 off two overs, contributing to a disciplined bowling performance.
Australia’s innings saw Travis Head top-scoring with 33 off 30 balls, complemented by impactful cameos from Matthew Short (27 off 11 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (20 off nine balls).
The series witnessed Australia’s dominance, winning the opener by six wickets in Wellington and securing a 72-run victory in the second game in Auckland.
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, leading the side in the absence of Mitch Marsh, praised the squad’s depth and the clinical bowling display, considering it valuable preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.
Injuries hampered New Zealand’s campaign, with key players like Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway sidelined at various stages, while captain Kane Williamson missed out due to the birth of his child. Despite these setbacks, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged Australia’s superiority, emphasizing their quality performance throughout the series.
Looking ahead, both teams shift their focus to the upcoming Test series, with the first match scheduled to commence in Wellington on Thursday.
