WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – Aaron Finch reversed a long fall in form with a challenging half century and Ashton Agar grabbed six wickets as Australia claimed a 64 run victory over New Zealand in Wellington yesterday to keep their Twenty20 series alive.
At a closed Wellington Regional Stadium, Australia clawed back to 2-1 in the five-match series following defeats in Christchurch and Dunedin.
Fired by 69 by captain Finch and 31-ball 70 from Glenn Maxwell, Australia put up a majestic 208 for four on the table before Agar’s left-arm spinner captured 6-30, Australia’s record in T20 internationals, to help bundle New Zealand out at 144.
Having scored a total of 13 runs in the first two games following a miserable Big Bash League season with the bat, Finch was lucky to survive a big lbw appeal off Tim Southee on the first ball he faced. He stirred the alarm and increased his confidence in a phenomenal 64-run partnership with Maxwell before being caught by Kyle Jamieson with a reversal off Ish Sodhi.
“It’s always nice when you’re contributing to winning, that’s the most important thing,” Finch said. “The partnership with Maxie probably allowed us to go a little deeper which was nice.”
After going unbeaten in the first two games, Agar took the legs out under the New Zealand hunt, pulling Glenn Phillips (13), Devon Conway (38) and James Neesham (0) in the 13th over to leave the home team 110 for six.
Paceman Riley Meredith Daniel Sams replaced Australia’s only change from Dunedin and captured 2-24 on an impressive international appearance that included trapping New Zealand captain Kane Williamson lbw for nine.
New Zealand suffered a late withdrawal, with Mitch Santner, the all-rounder, forced into isolation to await the result of the COVID-19 test after showing flu-like symptoms. He replaced Mark Chapman.
The series continues in Wellington tomorrow.