Martin Guptill scored 97 off 50 deliveries as New Zealand beat Australia by four runs in the second T20I.
The Black Cap’ opener made the most significant contribution on a wicket that was unforgiving for bowlers, New Zealand scoring 219-7, and Australia falling just short thanks in large part to Marcus Stoinis’ 78 off 47 deliveries.
Guptill hit six fours and eight sixes, exploiting the University Oval’s short boundaries. Such was the Black Caps’ onslaught that just one of Australia’s six bowlers used went for less than 10 per over.
Guptill and Kane Williamson (53 off 35) put on 131 for the second wicket, before James Neesham (45 off 16) closed the innings out with a bang.
Australia couldn’t match their hosts for either individual brilliance, or collective contributions, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Josh Philippe (45 off 32) made a solid contribution in partnership with Stoinis, while Daniel Sams took Australia close with some incredible hitting down the order.
Australia needed 15 runs from the last over, but Sams (41 off 15) holed out to deep mid-wicket first ball and, while Stoinis hit a six off the fourth ball, he mistimed the next one and was caught at long on, bringing an end to an enthralling match.
