Australia’s bowlers sliced through some reckless New Zealand batting on Friday to win the second Twenty20 international by 72 runs in Auckland and clinch the three-match series.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa knocked over the middle order to finish with 4-34 as the home side were skittled for 102 in 17 overs at Eden Park.
New Zealand lost early wickets and always looked unlikely to match the visitors, who were dismissed for 174 in the final over.
Only Glenn Phillips provided resistance with 42 but New Zealand’s hopes were buried when he was caught at long-on off Zampa in the 14th over.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said he was wor-ried his team hadn’t scored enough but was de-lighted with their bowling, with the T20 World Cup coming up in June.
“A great win for Australia. Our backs were against the wall, I thought we were probably 50 short but the way our bowlers performed was outstanding,” said Marsh, who praised the match-winning prowess of Zampa.
“I’ve said it so many times before — he’s probably the most important player in this team. He was brilliant again.”
The Black Caps’ cause wasn’t helped by a thumb injury suffered in the field by Devon Conway, which prevented the opener from batting.
The injury, sustained while he was wicket-keeping, may place Conway in doubt for Sunday’s third match in Auckland.—APP
