When Aaron Finch hit a six in the 18th over, he put a full stop on what was a highest ever chase in T-20 international cricket history.
The T-20 match was not as important for Australia as it was to New Zealand, because the Kiwis had to win a game to qualify for the finals.
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro gave New Zealand a blazing start while Ross Taylor provided the finishing touch to take New Zealand to 243-6 at end of 20th over.
Australia started with the word bang, with top edges and mistimed pulls going for six, lifted shots going for boundaries and inside edges just whistling past the stumps.
It was all the luck visitors needed to kick-start the things.
In particular David Warner, who didn’t have a big score to show in white ball format in recent years.
A 20-ball 50 does give him much needed confidence going into the final and also to South Africa, where his experience and contribution with the bat will be invaluable.
To have Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada steaming in when you are out of form would have given South Africa the mental edge.
Given his exploits in South Africa last time around where he managed to get 543 runs in three matches, Australia need in-form Warner to get going.
With D’Arcy Short, Glenn Maxwell and Chris Lynn in good form and now David Warner starting to show his old self, Australia are favourites to win the tri-series.
Now that Warner is back with a bang, watch out as there’s more coming soon. The South African tour could bring out his best.
Mitch
Guest
Warmer is our best T20 batsman on record he scored the most runs in the IPL with a impressive strike rate. When he is going their isnt many better. He has had a dip in form as everyone does and when you are trying to hit a moving ball for 6 that will be the end of any batsman.
Paul
Roar Guru
Keep this comment close by and we'll see how he goes in a month or so. Happy if you're right because it shold mean Australia's done well in SA
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
Hey Paul South Africa has been his happy haunting ground and so is the team but getting some runs in international cricket against any side and winning the game does lift up the captain.He was always an innings away.
Paul
Roar Guru
You're drawing a long bow to think Warner is back in form after this innings. There was zero sideways movement, the bowling ranged from inconsistent to extremely poor, there was virtually no need for defensive shots of any kind and they were playing on a postage stamp. I hope Warner does well in SA but everything bar the size of the grounds will be different and more difficult to play. A spell between now and the first game will probably do him more good.
Mitch
Guest
Warner Short Lynn Maxwell Finch Stoinis Carey Agar Starc/NCN Tye Stanlake