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Australia have kept their T20I series hopes alive after they defeated New Zealand in the third T20I of ൩the five-match series by 64 runs at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Amid the lockdown restrictions, both the teams faced each other in an empty stadium where Australian skipper Aaron Finch roared back into form with an excellent 69 off 44 deliveries. He luckily survived the first-ball lbw shout as the white leather was hitting the stumps but the on-field umpire gave him not out. After that, Finch conti𒊎nued and made sure he put his side on top in the Wednesday night fixture.
The Aussie skipper formed a crucial partnership of 83 runs for the second wicket with Josh Philippe (43 off 27). Despite struggling with the willow from the past few games, Finch showed supreme confidence as he reached his half-century with a splendid🌄 switch-hit six off Ish Sodhꦉi.
After the Finch magic, it was the turn of Glenn Maxwell, who took fans on a roller-coaster ride, scoring 70 from 31 balls, with the help of eight fours and five sixes. Maxwell clubbed 28 off James Neesham’s last over as Australi💞a posted a massive total of 208/4 🍌in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, the hosts struggled right from the beginning, especially against Aussie quick Riley Meredith, who claimed 2/24 in his debut game.
The Tasmanian pacer first sent Black Caps opener Tim Seifert (4) back into the dugout with a speedy delivery that clicked over 150 kmph. After Seifert, it was the turn of NZ skipper Kane Williamson who was trapped in front for nine runs only.
Martin Guptill and Devon Conway did contribute with vital knocks, but the spin bowling of Ashton Agar completely de༒stroyed the hosts. Agar picked up three wickets in the 13th over and went on to bag three more to finish with his career-best figure of 6/30.
Best bowling figures in T20 internationals:
- Deepak Chahar (IND) – 6/7 vs BAN, 2019
- Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 6/8 vs ZIM, 2012
- Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 6/16 vs AUS, 2011
- Yuzvendra Chahal (IND) – 6/25 vs ENG, 2017
- Ashton Agar (AUS) – 6/30 vs NZ, 2021*
Here is how Twitter reacted:
It's all on for Friday! Australia takes game 3 of the T20 Series by 64 runs thanks to Finch and Maxwell half centuries and career best figures of 6-30 for Ashton Agar 🏏.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Glenn Maxwell leaves his mark
— Peter Lalor (@plalor)
The Big Show at Wellington 🔥
Glenn Maxwell's stunning 7⃣0⃣ off just 3⃣1️⃣ balls propelled 🇦🇺 to 2⃣0⃣8⃣ in the 3⃣rd T20I👀
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
First 11 balls: 10 runs 🙁
Next 20 balls: 60 runs 😱Just Glenn Maxwell things…
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia)
Extraordinary shot by Aaron Finch to bring up🍨 his 50. Switch hit, slog sweep for six.
— Andrew Wu (@wutube)
Aaron Finch needs to buy Chris Gaffaney a beer. That decision could 🌜save his int꧒ernational T20 career.
— Jacob Landsmeer (@jlandsme_93)
Fifty runs to Aaron Finch and all of t💎hem in the same innings.
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket)
Finch, Maxwell & Agar in the first two T20s:
40 runs, 0 wicketsFinch, Maxwell & Agar today:
139 runs, 6 wickets— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1)
It says a lot about Aaron Finch that so many people are willing him to get his mojo🀅 back.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)
Ashton Agar becomes the fourth person to take six wickets in aಌ single T20I game.
Ajantha Mendis – 6/16 (v AUS, 2011)
Ajantha Mendis – 6/8 (v ZIM, 2012)
Yuzvendra Chahal – 6/25 (v ENG, 2017)
Deepak Chahar – 6/7 (v BAN, 2019)
Ashton Agar – 6/30 (v NZ, Today)— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst)
Ashton Agar 6 wicket ha𒐪ul! Four overs givi🌜ng away just 30 runs. The best by an Aussie in T20 cricket. Amazing! 😍🔥
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Huge win by Australia, well played.
Apart from NZ being a bowler short tonight, Seifert not looking an op꧒ening batsman in this series. Might need to consider Conway opening and Seifert moving down.
Of less importance, why is Southee batting at 8?
— Andrew (@shortflyslip)
Martin Guptill is the only fielder with 50+ catches in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Tests – 50 catches
ODIs – 91 catches
T20Is – 52* catchesThe only two w♐ickets so far in this match are catches by Guptill.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Australia win the third T20I by 64 runs!
Ashton Agar's 6/30 are the best figures by an Australian in men's T20Is as New Zealand were bowled out for 144.
📝Scorecard:
— ICC (@ICC)
Maxwell hits 28 runs off Neesham's over. 25-ball fifty for Maxwell
Can be a dangerous T20 batsman.— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
