Mitchell Santner of New Zealand celebrates after taking the wicket of Steve Smith of Australia. Source: Getty Images
After beating India in their first game, New Zealand went past Australia in a thriller at the picturesque Himalayan town of Dharamshala last night.
Chasing a target of 142 - which was looked like at least 20 runs short of a defending total - Australian innings ended at 9/134, losing the game by eight runs.
A solid start by Usman Khawaja (38 fro 27 balls, 4X4) and some breathtaking hits by Mitch Marsh (24 from 23 balls, 2X6) in the final overs were not good enough for holding back New Zealand.
Australian Bowlers Celebrate - Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar of Australia celebrate after combining to take the wicket of Kane Williamson of New Zealand. Source: Getty Images
Aussies needed 19 runs from the last over bowled by Corey Anderson, but were able to score only 10 at the expense of two wickets.
While it was the spin trio that helped New Zealand against India, excellent combination of pace and spin made it possible here.
Earlier, New Zealand had decided to bat first after winning the toss, on a wicket which was predicted to slow down as the match progressed. But, after a lightning start by openers Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, Kiwis could not keep that momentum.
Guptill batted as if he wanted to fill the vacuum left by Brendum McCullum, hitting four sixes and two fours in his 27 ball 39. Guptill was dismissed at a team total of 61 in seven overs, but the scoring rate went down thereafter.
However, tactics on and off the field proved vital in defending a considerably low total.
Instead of keeping the same squad from Nagpur, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had decided to drop off spinner Nathan McCullum and bring in pacer Mitchell McClenaghan. This move paid off as McClenaghan finished three overs with three wickets, giving away just 17 runs.
The most surprising element in this New Zealand side - which also makes them the hottest favourites - is the quality of their spinners. New Zealand could never boast about its spin department yet, other than one Daniel Vettori. But Mitchell Stantner and Ish Sodhi give them a new energy. Stantner’s first over delivery which deceived and got Steve Smith stumped was a class to watch. It was undoubtedly the turning point in the match too.
Ish Sodhi, with his figures (4 overs, one wicket and 14 runs), proved dangerous too.
With these back-to-back wins, New Zealand has almost secured its tickets to the semi final from group 2. Unless something goes really wrong, Kane Williamson and his in-form boys should be able to overcome the fights from Pakistan and Bangladesh next week. Only if they lose both the games, they will have to look at the run rate charts.
On the other hand, nothing goes right for Australia on Indian soil. Aussies has the deepest batting line up in this tournament, with a player like Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has already scored more than 300 runs in T20 internationals, comes at number nine to bat. But, no batsman had shown the patience to wait for the slow balls. In the bowling department, two specialist spinners - Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar - bowled only one over each as they failed to find any turn from the wicket.
The team selection and batting order also went wrong for Australia, when they dropped Aron Finch from the team and promoted Ashton Agar ahead of one of the world’s best T20 finishers James Faulkner in the batting line up.
In a group where three teams from the subcontinent - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - come with quality spinners, Australia cannot afford to lose one more game if they want to keep their hopes alive.
Australia’s next match will be against Bangladesh on Monday, at the South Indian town of Bengaluru.
Watch the full match highlight here:
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