New Zealand is chasing a 175-run target for victory after speedster Lockie Ferguson ripped through the Australians at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday evening.
Despite the venue’s infamous short boundaries, Ferguson claimed 4-12 in 3.5 blistering overs without conceding a boundary, helping roll the tourists for 174 in 19.5 overs. Australia did not clear the boundary after the eighth over, losing 8-70 in a woeful middle-order collapse.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs Australia second T20 scorecard
After Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl first, Australian opener Travis Head got things off to a blistering start by clobbering 45 (22), including five sixes.
However, after cruising towards 2-104 in the ninth over, Australia’s middle order collapsed like dominoes before a career-best performance from Pat Cummins (28 from 22 balls) at the death.
In response, New Zealand is 2-22 in the fourth over with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade holding onto a superb diving catch to remove Black Caps opener Will Young for 5.
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Australia made three changes to its starting XI, with Steve Smith, Nathan Ellis and Matthew Wade replacing David Warner, Matthew Short and Mitchell Starc.
Black Caps star Rachin Ravindra misses the match after experiencing pain in his left knee following the series opener in Wellington.
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New Zealand XI
Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Ben Sears
Australia XI
Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
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