Until a few days back nobody dared calling New Zealand a favourite in the World T20. But, now, both the so-called favourites have gone down against the super Kiwis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
