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Patna : Australia beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in the T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, in a high scoring match on February 16, 2018. Australia achieved the target of 244 by scoring 245/5 in 18.5 overs riding on 59 in 24 balls by Captain and opener David Warner, who hit 4 fours and 5 sixes in his knock. His opening partner D Short made 76 in 44 balls hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes. Both were involved in a 121 run partnership for the first wicket.
Aaron Finch remained unbeaten on 36 in 14 balls hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes while Glex Maxwell made 31 in 14 balls hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes. Chris Lynn made 18 in 13 balls hitting a four and a six. For New Zealand, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi, and Colin de Grandhomme took one wicket each. M Stoinis was run out for 4.
With their February 16 win over New Zealand, Australia have won all their four matches in the six-match tries-series – two each againsh New Zealand and England. New Zealand have one win against England, who have lost all their three matches so far – two to Australia and one to New Zealand.
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, New Zealand made a massive 243/6 in 20 overs riding on an explosive 76 in 33 balls hitting 6 four and 6 sixes by opener Colin Munro and 105 in 54 balls by his opening partner Martin Guptil hitting 9 sixes and 6 fours. Munro hit Andrew Tye for three consecutive sixes in his second over. In fact, Tye was hit for another six in the same over by wicketkeeper T Seifert. Munro and Guptil were involved in a 132 run partnership for the first wicket. Guptil’s century came in 49 balls.
Captain Kane Williamson was out for 1 while former Captain Ross Taylor remained unbeaten on 17 in 6 balls hitting 2 sixes. Wicketkeeper T Seiferts made 12 in 6 balls hitting a four and a six. Guptil has now become New Zealand’s highest run scorer ( 2,188) in T2oI.
For Australia, K Richardson took 2/40 in 4 overs while Andrew Tye took 2/64 in 4 overs. Fast bowler B Stanlake took 1/43 in