NZ VS AUS 3RD T20I

Right then, that brings us to the end of this entertaining contest, and with it, the series as well. Australia have retained the Chappell-Hadlee trophy with a 2-0 win here. Now, Sir Richard Hadlee hands over the trophy to the Aussie skipper, Mitchell Marsh, who lifts it alongside his teammates before they pose for pictures in front of the ‘Winners’ banner. Up next for New Zealand is a three-match home T20I series against England, starting on 18th October. Australia, meanwhile, will turn their focus to a three-match ODI series at home against India, beginning on 19th October. As always, you can join us early for all the build-up to every match. Until then, it’s goodbye and cheers!

Mitchell Marsh, the victorious skipper of Australia, is up for a word again. He says that when you are chasing a target like 160, the aim is always to finish the game quickly. Adds that it feels good to get across the line and wrap up the series win. On the conditions, Marsh explains that with the wicket being under covers for a couple of days, there was some seam movement on offer. Admits that 160 is always a tricky chase if you lose wickets, and that makes him proud of the way his side got the job done. Looking ahead, the skipper notes that every team is building towards the next T20I World Cup, and T20 cricket is never straightforward, but for Australia, one thing they can control is their batting intent. Signs off on a personal note, saying he is looking forward to going home, spending a week with his daughter, and then rejoining the team for the upcoming white-ball series against India.

Michael Bracewell, the captain of New Zealand, says that it was an incredible knock from Marsh and that was the difference between the two sides. Adds that the pitch was under covers for a long time, which did not make batting easy. Says that they thought they got a fighting total on the board, but just had to get Marsh out. Mentions that they need a bit longer series in this format as they are heading in the right direction.

Mitchell Marsh is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his MAIDEN T20I HUNDRED, and the Australian skipper looks delighted. He is also named the PLAYER OF THE SERIES. He starts by saying it is always nice to win a series, especially in New Zealand, and admits there was pressure towards the end, but the team is happy to get the job done. Speaking about his knock, Marsh admits that he had a bit of luck but stresses that once you get going, the key is to keep going. He mentions that intent is central to the way Australia are trying to play their cricket at the moment, and he was glad to carry that through. Reflecting on the contest, he calls it a pretty scrappy game overall, closer than Australia would have liked, but the important thing for him was that they got over the line and sealed the series win.

Presentation Time...

New Zealand bowled well but simply didn’t have enough runs to defend. Credit to them, though, for making a contest out of it and pushing Australia, only to be undone by Marsh’s masterclass. James Neesham was outstanding, claiming four wickets in the middle overs to drag the hosts back into the game, while Jacob Duffy chipped in with two. However, Ben Sears had an off day, and a couple of expensive overs from him effectively sealed their fate.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand, after being put in to bat first, could only manage a below-par total. Tim Seifert was the top-scorer with 48, while a few others got starts but failed to carry on for a big contribution. Each time a partnership looked promising, they lost a wicket right when the momentum was building. For Australia, Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Xavier Bartlett shared four between them. Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa also chipped in with one apiece to keep the Kiwis in check.

Despite chasing a modest target, Australia stumbled a bit in their attempt to rush things. Apart from Mitchell Marsh’s brilliant knock, the scorecard looked rather disappointing, with as many as six batters dismissed in single digits. Marsh, however, made batting look effortless, consistently finding the boundaries and keeping the bowlers under pressure. His aggressive start in the Powerplay set the tone for the chase, and even with little support, Australia always stayed ahead in the game. Contributions from Mitchell Owen and Sean Abbott proved handy, while the skipper anchored the innings superbly, finishing unbeaten on 103 off just 52 balls.

Australia have completed a 2-0 clean sweep over New Zealand with another impressive display. The scoreboard might show that the Aussies chased the target with two overs to spare, but the Kiwis certainly didn’t make it easy. In the end, it was Mitchell Marsh’s scintillating maiden T20I hundred that proved to be the decisive factor.

FOUR! IT'S OVER! DONE! Australia win the third match by three wickets and win the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy as well by 2-0, with one game washed out in that. Short of a good length and outside off, Sean gets across and waits before guiding it well to the right of backward point for a boundary to seal the deal. It was just a one-man show with Mitchell Marsh leading from the front.

SCORES ARE LEVEL! Back of a length and outside off, Marsh presses back and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and around off, dragged down to deep backward square leg for a single by Abbott.

Short of a length and wide outside off, Sean gets across and dabs it down but finds the backward point fielder, who gets across to his right and makes a good stop.

Lands it full and around middle, knocked down to long on for a single. Just 3 needed.

MAIDEN T20I CENTURY FOR MITCHELL MARSH! Short of a length and around off, Marsh presses back and tries to pull it, but mistimes it due to extra bounce. The ball balloons up but falls in the vacant short fine leg region. Marsh takes two runs to complete his milestone. It has been a stupendous innings, and he has led his team from the front in this chase, standing alone at one end.

Short of a length and outside off, Sean gets across and slices it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs more. Australia need just six runs now. Neesham is done for the night, who finishes with an impeccable figure of 4-0-26-4.

FOUR! Nicely Played! On a good length and around middle, Sean Abbott lifts his front leg, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to use the pace of the bowler. The ball races away in the gap towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.