NZ 144/10 in 17.1 Overs - Live Australia Vs New Zealand 3rd T20I T20 2021

SCORECARD COMMENTARY

AUS WON

T20

AUS beat NZ by 64 runs

Man of the Match - Ashton Agar

AUS

208-4

20.0/20 Ovrs

144-10

17.1/20 Ovrs

Australia in New Zealand, 5 T20I Series, 2021 |3rd T20I |3/3/2021
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Commentary

That is it from this game! Australia with this win have kept the series alive for at least another game. It will be interesting to see how New Zealand respond to this loss. Australia will look to carry the momentum of this win in the next game and level the series. The crucial 4th game of this 5-game T20I series will be played on Friday, 5th March. That game begins at 1900 local (0600 GMT). Make sure you join us for that one. Till then, goodbye and take care!
Australian skipper, Aaron Finch says that it is always nice to get among runs and contribute in the win. Praises Maxwell's innings. He mentions that they had a good innings and with the run rate mounting New Zealand took a few risks which helped them. He further says that they are improving with each game and ends by saying that the younger boys are doing great for them.
New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says that for the large part they were playing the defensive game. He mentions that it was a very good surface but they did not get the start they wanted and they also did not take a few extra risks needed and thus they end on the losing side. He mentions that they are taking it as one of those games in T20 cricket where it did not go their way and he hopes to make a comeback quickly for the rest of the games.
For his fantastic bowling display, Ashton Agar is named the Player of the Match. Ashton Agar says that it is always nice to get wickets. He further says that with 200 runs on the board it helped them. He mentions that the coach asked them to toss the ball up and he did exactly the same. Praises the innings from Maxwell and also is happy to see his skipper among runs.
After being put into bat, Australian skipper Aaron Finch finally got back in his groove. His 69 along with a vital 43 from Josh Philippe set the platform for the tourists. But it was the arrival of the Big Show, Glenn Maxwell which tilted the game completely in the Aussies favor. His 70 off just 31 balls ensured Australia post a huge total in excess of 200. Though the tourists missed out in the final two overs, this time it did not cost them as 208 proved to be a winning total.
A fantastic bowling display from Australia. They looked at it from ball one and the debutant got them off to a fiery start with the ball. His pace and early wickets put the tourists in the driver's seat. He set the tone but the star of the evening with the ball was Ashton Agar as he finished with 6/30, his best figures in T20Is. Jhye Richardson had an off day but the rest of the bowlers did a fair job and ensured the hosts never got ahead of the asking rate.
Chasing 209, New Zealand needed a strong start but that did not happen. Though Guptill got off to a good start, Tim Seifert and skipper, Kane Williamson departed inside the Powerplay. That made the task in hand even more tougher and once Guptill departed it was going to take a herculean effort. That did not happen as barring Guptill only Conway was looking threatening as the rest of the batting could not deliver on the night.
Excellent all-around performance from Australia. First with the bat and then with the ball and this overall showing has ensured the series is well and truly alive. A must-win game and the tourists finally delivered. New Zealand will be disappointed with their effort and their wait for 5th series win of the summer will have to wait.
17.1
W
Kane Richardson to Ish Sodhi, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Australia finish a comprehensive win here. Length ball around off, Sodhi looks to go over the fence but can only end up hitting it high into the night sky. Kane Richardson calls for the catch and takes the skier with ease. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 64 RUNS!
END OF OVER 17 | 12 Runs & 3 Wkt | NZ 144/9

16.6
W
Ashton Agar to Kyle Jamieson, OUT! LBW! Drama, drama and more drama. The umpire raised his finger late there. Length and around middle, Jamieson walks across as he looks to play the scoop. He though misses it as the ball goes off his pads. to fine leg. There goes an appeal and the umpire after thinking for a while raises the finger. Kyle takes the review. The Ultra Edge confirms that there is no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows Three Reds. Jamieson has to take the long walk back.
Review time! Kyle Jamieson has been adjudged out not sure for LBW or caught but he has decided to review it.
16.5
4
Ashton Agar to Kyle Jamieson, FOUR! Full and outside off, Kyle Jamieson backs way to power it over extra cover for a boundary.
16.4
1
Ashton Agar to Ish Sodhi, Flatter around off, Sodhi pushes it to the off side for a single.
16.3
1
Ashton Agar to Kyle Jamieson, Floated on off, pushed to long on for a single.
Ish Sodhi is the new man in.
16.2
W
Ashton Agar to Mark Chapman, OUT! CAUGHT! Agar takes a 5-fer. His second in T20Is. Tossed up around off, Chapman goes for the slog once again but this time drags it to mid on where Zampa almost makes a meal of it before diving forward to take the catch.
16.1
6
Ashton Agar to Mark Chapman, SIX! Hammered away! It is a lovely swing of the bat! Tossed up around off, Chapman goes for the slog and nails it over deep mid-wicket for a single.
END OF OVER 16 | 12 Runs & 0 Wkt | NZ 132/7

15.6
1
Jhye Richardson to Mark Chapman, On the pads, Chapman flicks it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike. 77 needed off the remaining 4 overs.
15.5
2
Jhye Richardson to Mark Chapman, Slower ball on middle, Mark Chapman comes down the track and hits it over the bowler's head for a couple.
15.4
4
Jhye Richardson to Mark Chapman, FOUR! Loevly shot! Length ball on off and middle, Chapman gets on top of the bounce and drives it over mid on for a boundary.
15.3
1
Jhye Richardson to Kyle Jamieson, Full on middle, Jamieson plays it to long on and gets a single.
15.2
0
Jhye Richardson to Kyle Jamieson, Excellent! Yorker on off, Jamieson jams it out.
15.1
4
Jhye Richardson to Kyle Jamieson, DROPPED AND FOUR! Poor from Finch! He did all the hard work but scuffed the easy part. Full on off, Jamieson goes downtown. He does not time it well. Finch runs to his left, covers all the ground. He gets his hands onto it but it pops out of his hand and goes to the fence.