Australia 216 for 4 (Marsh 72*, Warner 32, David 31*, Santner 2-42) beat New Zealand 215 for 3 (Ravindra 68, Conway 63, Marsh 1-21) by six wickets
Marsh, David star in large chase
It was left to Marsh, who obliged with sometimes belligerent batting. Something in his hitting zone was dealt with with disdain as he motored to his half-century off 29 balls. However Marsh lacked assist as Australia fell away and wanted a seemingly unbelievable 32 runs off 9 balls to win. However David took over with a boundary off Adam Milne earlier than launching consecutive sixes to cut back Australia’s goal to 16 runs off the ultimate over.
Southee bowled properly at first of the ultimate over by bowling a number of yorkers, however David once more confirmed his prowess at ending with a six over the leg-side off the full-tossed fourth supply of the twentieth over. Two balls later, his swat by extensive lengthy on with two fielders converging went for 4, and underlined a outstanding chase that showcased their firepower. It additionally illustrated that there will not be room for Smith on the T20 World Cup.
Ferguson sizzles, sloppy fielding proves expensive
Milne claimed the much-needed first wicket after a flier from Head, whereas Ferguson chimed in by getting by Glenn Maxwell to halt Australia’s momentum.
Ferguson was very good all through and bowled correct yorkers underneath stress in a superb 18th over that appeared to place New Zealand in the field seat. However New Zealand in the end rued sloppy fielding, most notably Glenn Phillips lacking an opportunity on the boundary when Marsh was on 36.
Australia’s frontline quicks return, Marsh impresses with ball
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who had each rested for the previous three weeks because the Take a look at summer season ended, performed their first T20I because the 2022 T20 World Cup as Australia unveiled a full-strength assault.
Starc was on the cash instantly as he angled a supply previous Finn Allen on the primary supply of a wonderful first over. He returned in the sixth over to select up Allen having not let him have any width to hit.
Starc was the choose of the bowlers till he was thrashed for 16 runs in the penultimate over of the innings. Cummins had additionally principally defied the onslaught along with his canny array of slower deliveries earlier than being dispatched for 15 runs in the final over.
After recording the worst-ever figures by an Australian bowler in T20Is in their final match towards West Indies, legspinner Adam Zampa copped one other flogging with 0 for 42 from three overs. Australia, who sloppily conceded 15 extras, grew to become the primary group ever to concede 4 straight 200-plus totals in T20I cricket.
In higher information for Australia, Marsh utilised slower deliveries successfully and claimed the wicket of Conway to complete with 1 for 21 off three. Marsh did not use himself towards West Indies however stepped up right here with Marcus Stoinis lacking from the sequence.
Conway returns to type, Ravindra impresses
Conway entered the sequence discovering himself in his profession’s first extended type droop. Conway acquired out of it by maybe channelling the final time he batted towards Australia in a T20 match when he made an unbeaten 92 to launch the 2022 T20 World Cup.
It was deja vu with Conway and Allen once more monstering a half-century inside 4 overs similar to they did on the SCG. Conway relished a floor that was quick with a constant bounce to notch his first worldwide half-century since final yr’s ODI World Cup. His knock was marked by very good back-foot play as he frequently whacked shorter deliveries in a confidence-boosting innings.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
