Australia have lost the second T20 against New Zealand by just four runs, some incredible late-order hitting from Marcus Stoinis and Daniel Sams not enough to get the side home.
Set a mammoth 220 to win after Martin Guptil (97 off 50), Kane Williamson (53 off 35) and Jimmy Neesham (45 off 16) teed off for the Black Caps, Australia suffered a catastrophic collapse during the middle overs to fall to 6-113 after 13 overs.
Mitchell Santner, in his fourth and final over of the innings, had the set Josh Philippe (45 off 32) caught in the deep on the off-side, then claimed the wickets of Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh in consecutive deliveries to leave Australia’s run-chase in tatters.
However, Stoinis (78 off 37) and Sams (41 off 15) combined for a superb partnership to bring the tourists to the verge of an unlikely victory, only for Neesham, bowling for the first time in the game, to dismiss both batsmen in the final over to seal the win for New Zealand.
The duo combined for 92 runs off just 37 balls, with Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee all harshly dealt with by the pair. A brilliant 18th over by Trent Boult which went for just six runs halted Sams’ and Stoinis’s momentum, but consecutive boundaries by Stoinis off Southee the following over left Australia needing a very gettable 15 runs off the last six balls.
Unfortunately for the visitors, the first of those, a thigh-high full-toss by Neesham, was mis-hit by Sams and caught on the boundary by Glenn Phillips. Two dot balls followed, and while Stoinis was able to hit the fourth ball of the over for six, he fell trying to repeat the trick on the penultimate ball, skying one in the slot to Southee.
In New Zealand’s innings, Martin Guptill dispelled any criticism of his form with a brutal 97 at the top of the order. Clearly enjoying the tiny dimensions of Dunedin’s University Oval, the opener belted eight sixes.
His partnership with Williamson yielded 131 runs, and when he departed after trying to clear the rope to reach a century, Neesham came in, promoted up the order to great effect. The all-rounder hit each of his first three balls for six, and finished with three more maximums by the time he left the field with an unbeaten 45.
While the efforts of Stoinis and Sams will go some way to papering over the issues in the Australian top order, there are still headaches aplenty for stand-in coach Andrew McDonald.
Aaron Finch’s form continues to be a major concern. The captain looked decidedly scratchy in excellent batting conditions before departing for a 14-ball 12, further extending his long run without an innings of note.
The decision to bat Mitchell Marsh at number seven below Ashton Agar was also a strange one. While it ultimately didn’t make a massive difference, with both players dismissed for golden ducks, Marsh had top-scored for Australia in the first T20 batting at number four, and likely would have benefitted from some additional time to get set in the small confines of University Oval.
There’s now a break in the series for the best part of a week, with Game 3 to be played next Wednesday in Wellington.
New Zealand 7-219 (20) (Guptill 97, Williamson 53, Neesham 45; K Richardson 3-43, J Richardson 1-39) def Australia 8-215 (20) (Stoinis 78, Philippe 45, Sams 41; Santner 4-31, Neesham 2-10) by four runs
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Agree but there isn't really anyone else. I don't rate either that highly, I think they are BBL bowlers but the step up to internationals is too big. It's all well and good having 3 quicks who can bowl well with the new rock but if none of them can bowl at the death it defeats the purpose of playing them there.
I agree, he was terrible in the world cup. I think partly because he's been shuffled all around the order with no clear role. If they just gave him the No.6 role and said its yours for the next 10 games he could settle into it, he is learning to rotate strike better and not get bogged down. Didnt quite have that strenth 18-24 months ago. COuld come back a better player though.
Have a look at his batting graph bro? I never said he was consistent or a 'good' ODI player, just that he has had more than one good knock.
It is always a stand alone series, what you on about?
maverick
Roar Rookie
But at least they can bowl well with the new ball. Both of them are wicket takers. Kane doesn't move the ball at all. His slower balls are not deceptive, neither he bowls yorkers. He leaks runs and contributes nothing with the bat. I think Nathan Ellis is very good with his yorkers and change ups and he takes wickets. Tye and Kane are not the answers .
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Thanks Guest, kind of you to make such a valuable contribution to the site.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Only as good as your last..... two games then?
Mitcher
Guest
Kind of you to take the focus off Ben by saying something equally clueless.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Alrighty then. Must have been a stand alone Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Nah, it was right before the 2017 India test series. Smith and Warner were both rested, Wade was named captain but got injured in the warmup so that they made Finch captain, Sam Heazlett made his debut. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/aus-tour-of-new-zealand-2016-17-1020005/new-zealand-vs-australia-1st-odi-1020013/full-scorecard Stoinis was a late call up to the 2016 NZ ODI tour after an injury to James Faulkner but didn't play. http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-australia-2015-16/content/story/968653.html
Simoc
Guest
So highly sought after that practically no-one wants him in T20. Mind you $400k for 6 weeks work ain't so bad. But he should never captain Australia again. He cracks under pressure and is to self absorbed.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
They are batting him too high. Marsh at 4, Stoinis at 5, Maxi down at 6.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think he potentially could be that middle order player we are looking for, but he needs to embrace it and bat there in BBL and other tournaments too. He isn't going to open. Needs to be more consistent. And geez I dont rate him as a bowler at all, would prefer Mitch Marsh bowl than Stoinis.
jose
Roar Rookie
Eden Park :silly:
jose
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, no meaningful innings in ODIs and T20Is that contributed to an Aussie win. In fact all his 50s + that lone 100 didnt result in an Aussie win, that is a fact
Kicker
Roar Rookie
Are there any cricket grounds smaller than this ?
jose
Roar Rookie
Still didnt win this game, ended up like his 146 @ Eden Park 4 years back. Not that it is his fault that Australia lost this game, but the point is this was his first meaningful knock after that 146 :laughing: :laughing: . and he was a total flop in 2019 world cup.
jose
Roar Rookie
Finch and Maxwell - big disappointments for Australia in the first 2 matches, no wonder why Finch didn’t get any IPL contract :silly: and Kane Richardson should be dropped as well, I am wondering how he is getting selected again and again ? Renegades quota :angry:
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
I think Finch needs a break. If we’re looking for a captain, why not give Mitch Marsh a go? He has done an admirable job captaining the Scorchers, but he definitely needs to bat higher than 7.
matth
Roar Guru
Maxwell has had two failures in this series but his last T20 international innings before that was 54 from 36 balls against India. And he has 1 century and three half centuries and a 40 from his last 7 ODI innings.