Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series 2018: Australia vs New Zealand- Final, 5 talking points

The first-of-its-kind T20I tri-series between England, Australia and New Zealand that was held in the two countries Down Under, ended with the two neighbouring countries fighting it off for the trophy at Eden Park in Auckland. Australia, who had picked up momentum as the series progressed, winning four matches on the trot, were forced to field first and New Zealand won the toss.

However, with constant rain interruptions and an injury scare, the Final match could not live up to its billing. New Zealand failed to push on after a decent start and ended up with 150 for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs, which was meant to be a breeze for the visitors.

Six overs into the Aussie innings, the rain came pouring down but the passing showers soon gave way and the match was on track without the loss of any overs. However, the second time, when Australia were at 121 for three in 14.4 overs, the umpires decided to call it a day and the game was handed over to the Kangaroos, who were ahead by 19 runs via the D/L method.

Ashton Agar was the Man of the Match and Glenn Maxwell was declared the Player of the Series.

Here are the 5 talking points from the match.

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#1 A confident start from Munro and Guptill

As has been the case all throughout the tournament, New Zealand once again got off to a roaring start, courtesy their big-hitters Martin Guptill and Colin Munro. The duo started off on an aggressive note, with Munro smashing Billy Stanlake’s length ball into the crowd.

Consecutive fours in Kane Richardson’s next over by Guptill displayed the intent of the two openers, and in no time, the duo raced away to 48 in just 4.2 overs.

Guptill was the first to depart when he tried to make room for Stanlake’s back of a length delivery but it only ended up in the safe hands of David Warner at mid-off. He made 21 in 15, and 11 runs later Munro too joined him in the pavilion after making 29 from 14.

#2 Ashton Agar troubles the middle order with his spin

Once Munro and Guptill were back in the hut, the onus was on captain Kane Williamson and Mark Chapman to take New Zealand to a challenging target. However, Ashton Agar had other plans.

The very first ball of his spell had been hit by Guptill for a six, after which he staged such a comeback that no other batsman hit him for another! He mixed in the yorker-length balls and the fuller deliveries and got his first scalp when he bowled Williamson with a flat ball that was missed completely by the player.

Two deliveries later, he had Chapman plumb in front with a flat back of a length delivery. He was back again to dismiss Colin de Grandhomme, that was fired on the middle stump and his spell, in which he gave away just 27 runs for 3 wickets, stalled the Kiwi innings from gaining any kind of a momentum.

#3 Chris Lynn injures his shoulder. AGAIN!

Ever since Kolkata Knight Riders picked up the explosive Chris Lynn at the auctions earlier this year, the only query that has been doing the rounds is how long before Lynn injures the right shoulder of his again!

Earlier in the week, the batsman had rubbished all doubts by stating that his body was feeling the best that it has felt in a long time and just weeks before the IPL is to begin, fans back in Kolkata would have heaved a sigh of relief.

However, it all came to nought when Ross Taylor clipped away a fullish delivery by Stanlake to mid-wicket, where a diving Lynn tried to stop the ball. Soon, he was seen flinching that very shoulder and it was not long before it had been confirmed that he had dislocated his shoulder again.

The player, who was operated on that very hand last year, had admitted that another injury to the same shoulder could end his career. He had recently missed a few Big Bash League games due to a hamstring injury and also sat out of Australia’s ODI series against England due to an injury in the calf muscle.

Here’s wishing the player a speedy recovery!

#4 Ross Taylor tries to tie things up as players around him fail

From 48 for zero, New Zealand had been reduced to 93 for six in the next eight overs. Andrew Tye picked up Mitchell Santner and along with Agar, bowled an economical spell in the middle overs. Ross Taylor rose to the occasion and tried to help his team to a respectable target with a fighting knock of 43 in 38 deliveries.

But all he could do was watch in horror as the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. New Zealand had been reduced to 110 for eight by the fourteenth over and were under threat of getting bowled out for less than 120.

However, Taylor and Ish Sodhi came together for a 38-run partnership for the ninth wicket and although it came in 36 deliveries, the eventual target of 150 gave them hopes of a win on a slow and a low wicket.

#5 Aussies romp to the title with an easy win

The target of 151 was never going to be a hindrance for the in-form Australian team and once David Warner and D'Arcy Short put on 72 in just 7.5 overs, the writing was on the wall.

Agar, who had been promoted to three after Lynn’s injury, fell soon and Australia lost three wickets in the span of 12 runs.

But Maxwell and Aaron Finch took the score top 121 in 14.4 overs before rain stopped play a second time and the match was eventually handed over to the Warner-led side after they were found to be 19 runs ahead according to the D/L method.