Four wickets from Adam Zampa in a timely return to form has led Australia to a commanding 72-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20I, to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
Chasing 174 after Australia were bowled out one ball short of their 20 overs, thanks mainly to an explosive 22-ball 45 from Travis Head featuring five sixes at the order, the Black Caps lost blaster Finn Allen in the opening over and never recovered.
With Allen chopping Josh Hazlewood on after a bizarre opening over that featured four dots, a six and the wicket, Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner’s choice to elevate himself to first drop due to a thumb injury to regular opener Devon Conway while wicketkeeping didn’t play off.
Minus Conway, who headed to hospital for scans after the blow, the hosts slumped to 4/29 after 6.3 overs to all but kill the contest, with only a lone hand from Glenn Phillips (42 off 35) helping them reach triple figures.
The result will come as a relief for Australia’s bowling attack, at full strength save for the inclusion of back-up quick Nathan Ellis (2/16 from three overs) for the rested Mitchell Starc; having conceded a T20I record four consecutive scores of 200+, to fire as one against a quality, if undermanned, opposition is a positive sign just months out from the T20 World Cup.
I thought we were about 50 short,” captain Mitchell Marsh confessed after the match – as it turned out, they had more than enough.
Sent in by Santner, Australia’s batting effort appeared well under par for the diminutive Auckland ground.
Only Head and Pat Cummins (28 off 22), in at eight to steady the ship, impressed with the bat on Friday night.
It mattered not as an understrength Black Caps side never got going in their chase
After claiming the key wicket of Allen, Hazlewood’s night improved further by sending down a rare maiden in the PowerPlay to hamper the hosts’ start even more.
Australia’s attack in the field was typified by returning gloveman Matthew Wade, who sprinted for Will Young’s skied effort and caught it in the outfield to have the Kiwis wobbling at 2-14.
New Zealand – already without Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell – didn’t risk Rachin Ravindra due to a sore knee, and were beset by further bad fortune.
Hazlewood produced six dot balls in the fifth over as Australia turned the screws, with Ellis, one of three changes to the Australian line-up, bowling Santner in the sixth over.
As the Black Caps attempted a salvage job from 4-29, Zampa (4/34 off four) then bowled Josh Clarkson and Adam Milne in consecutive balls to scuttle their chances.
Phillips was their best, attempting to anchor the innings before becoming Zampa’s third victim, caught at long-on.
New Zealand’s early innings woe was in complete contrast to Australia’s, which started like a wildfire but lost energy.
Powered by Head, Australia raced to 2-103 off eight overs and looked set for a monster total.
From that point they collapsed, with the returning Steve Smith among the failures.
Smith, without an Indian Premier League contract, needed runs to prove his worth for June’s T20 World Cup, with coach Andrew McDonald admitting how he performed in Auckland would “dictate what happens” with his World Cup place.
Adam Zampa celebrates the wicket of Josh Clarkson. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old made an unconvincing 11 before falling lbw to the stellar Lockie Ferguson (4-12 off 3.5 overs) on a night where most batters struggled.
Australia were too often tempted by the tonk given the short boundaries, with four of the top six caught attempting to slog.
Glenn Maxwell (six) and Marsh (26) holed out to Trent Boult at long-on within three deliveries, with Josh Inglis (five) and Wade (one) following shortly after.
Alongside Ferguson, Kiwi paceman Ben Sears (2-29 off four) impressed.
Despite the lack of partnerships, late-innings contributions from Tim David and particularly Cummins meant Australia posted a score the Kiwis couldn’t match.
The game-two stroll was a sharp contrast to the opener in Wellington, won by Australia when David conjured a last-ball four.
The result means game three, also at Auckland’s Eden Park, is a dead rubber.
After the T20 series, Australia will turn their attention to a two-match Test series, beginning at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Thursday.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's it. Passed over middle/off, passed him at leg. Must be taken.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Did see a video although one I saw was off Johnson and it passed over leg stump to Wade's left...but that was byes So is that two?
Ace
Roar Rookie
Funny you should say that Don. They both get coffee from the cafe my wife and I drink at. Bailey lives two doors away but as much as I would like to say something I hold my peace. Now you know how far away I am from where you live
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you look at the video of the 4 byes that Wade let through (given as runs...so a missed catch), you'll see exactly why he is not good at the craft. The ball passed over middle and off and he was already over committed to the off side. Even 4th grade keepers could get a glove on that. He is a back stop, not a keeper. Atrocious footwork. The video can be seen in the visuals below this blog.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Bailey and Wade are great Tassie mates. They see friendship in each other. Nothing else. No other selection panel would choose Wade.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Keep (no pun) in mind Don that if you look back over my posts I was not a fan of Wade's selection. Along with David and Stoinis I thought they were not good selections going forward. In his favour David has hit a streak and is a lock in. And I have not knocked Inglis. I previously said he is all they need as a keeper and a 6 or 7 finisher. But what you have to explain to me is what the selectors see in his keeping and captaincy in lieu of Marsh. But whatever..it seems he will go to the West Indies
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
His batting isn't as good as Inglis' and hasn't been as good. Keeping is really important. Wade concedes byes galore, he fumbles returns and doesn't get to balls down the leg side when proper keepers can. He has never been a first-class level keeper. The pile-on with Inglis is astounding. He has failed in his last two innings but he has been regularly terrific as his average and 155 strike rate indicate. Wade's batting and Smith's batting are far more open to question.
Ace
Roar Rookie
I have to add that I was surprised when he was named in the squad initially But he's there so if he bats , and well , there maybe some further indication of the selectors thinking But Inglis could do the job as a finisher at 6 or 7
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah it’s clear they see Wade as first choice - I just don’t understand why? His glove work is average at best. If they see him as a better batting option, play him as a batter - but pick your best keeper.
Ace
Roar Rookie
13th the selectors had Wade keeping. Is that a strong hint I wonder And again he is keeping today ..Sunday’s match
Ace
Roar Rookie
In T20 keeping does not have as many errors as other formats as generally bowlers have restricted areas to bowl into thus making a bit easier for keepers. Wade's batting is as capable as any down the order and again T20 sees him at a good rate Anyway Don it's how we all see things
Laurie
Roar Rookie
Probably the best policy
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think Inglis’ best position, like a lot of players is at the top, but he can’t do that in this side. Bat him in the traditional keepers slot at 7. He can play the finisher role, but hasn’t practiced it much recently.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Like that batting order. As Inglis in that first T20 nearly lost the game for us with his "slow" batting, thankfully David pulled the rabbit out of the hat. True on Smith, T20 batsmen need to be able to score more than a run a ball these days.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I think it’s simpler than that. Pick the best gloveman. If it’s out of Inglis and Wade I’d go Inglis.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
Inglis can go ballistic with the bat and I'm a fan. I just think Wade might be more reliable in a run chase down the order. But yeah, Inglis is the future
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Wade’s keeping is poor.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
As a keeper, his primary role, yes absolutely. Wade is a poor wicket keeper.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Wade’s keeping is mediocre at best - their batting are on par with each other. Pick the best glove man.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
See I think Inglis is better than Wade both as a keeper and as a batter. But I’d have Inglis batting at 7, put Short in there at 5 and David at 6 and all of a sudden that top 6 looks excellent. No room for Smith.