Friday, 29 Mar, 2024

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Black Caps Pips Kangaroos To The Post In Photo Finish 

Saleque Sufi | banglanews24.com
Update: 2021-02-25 12:03:51
Black Caps Pips Kangaroos To The Post In Photo Finish  [photo collected]

New Zealand VS Australia T20 Series 
2nd Match Played at University Oval, Dunedin 
New Zealand 219/7 in 20 Overs (Martin Guptill 97, Kane Williamson 53, James Neesham 45, Kane Richardson 3/43)
Australia: 215/8 in 20 Overs (Marcus Stoinis 78, Josh Phillippe 45, Daniels Sams 45, Mitchell Santner 4/31, James Neesham 2/10) 

New Zealand won by 4 runs. 
Player Of The Match: Martin Guptill 

New Zealand winning the 2nd T20 International by 4 runs in a photo finish forged 2-0 ahead in the 5 matches T20 series against Australia.

It was run feast at University Oval Dunedin. The first ever T20 International held between Tasman Cousins New Zealand and Australia witnessed enthralling torrents of fours and sixes. Brute brilliance of back to his brilliant best Martin Guptill (97 in 50 balls) and crafty elegance of Kane Williamson ( 53 in 35 ) led the foundation for a bench mark setting 219/7 for   the home team. Undaunted by the tall target and despite being cornered at 6/113 by the 13th over two future prospects of Australia Marccus Stoinis (78 in 37 deliveries) and Daniel Sams (41 in 15 balls) almost pulled an unbelievable victory with a delightful 7th wicket partnership of 92 in mere 6 overs.

Fortunately for the Black Caps their premiere bowlers Southee and Boult could bring the situation under control bowling smartly the 18th and the 19th over. Nisham struck twice in his only over the 20th won it for New Zealand by 4 runs. An exciting finish in the nail-biting encounter. The university oval had a fitting emergence to T20 international. New Zealand went 2-0 ahead in the 5 matches T20 series. 

University Oval is a small ground with fast outfield. The cricket admirers on picturesque ground seating on the alluring green grass bank enjoyed a fascinating display of batsman ship of the highest order. Martin Guptill the flamboyant Black Cap opener was going through a run drought for a while. He was due for an innings, which he is known for. He chose this occasion for paying back the continued trust of the team management. Right from the very first stroke he announced loudly his intention. His 97 in 50 deliveries with 6 fours and 8 sixes was brute elegance. In the process he became the highest striker of sixes eclipsing the record of Rohit Sharma. His partner in rocking rolling Australian bowling was Black Cap Maestro crafty Kane Williamson. If Guptill’s explosion was ruthless firework, Kane’s 53 in 35 was all but finesse. Their 131 runs 2nd wicket partnership led the foundation of a huge New Zealand innings. James Neesham striking unbeaten 45 in 16 deliveries also made unseful contribution. Had not two Richardsons bowled brilliant 18th and 19th over Black Caps could have post 230-240 runs even. However, 219/7 was no less on a challenging score. New Zealand now has so many power hitters that they now are looking a big threat for others even in T20 format. True Australia left behind two or three of its front-line strike bowlers for a situation not in their control, yet the bowlers that played were mostly the inform talents of BBL 2021. 

Whatever be the size of the ground or nature of the outfield a target of 220 against a very strong home team attack is not easy. Moreover, losing wickets at regular interval Australia by the 13th over was looking terrible at 6/113. Only George Phillippe (45 in 32 balls) made some contribution. This present a great opportunity for the fringe Australian late middle order prospects Stoinis and Sams to redeem. They brilliantly obliged triggering off torrents of eye pleasing brilliant strokes. Sams in his 15 balls 41 struck 2 fours and 4 sixes. Stoinis was equally brutal scoring 78 in 37 with 7 fours and 5 sixes. Their 92 free flowing runs in 6 overs almost turned the tide in the Tasman Sea.  Southee and Boult bowled two tight overs (18th and 19th) and in the 20th Over Neesham removed both Sams and Stoinis with Australia just 4 short of pulling out an exciting win.  It was left arm orthodox bowler Mitchell Santner (4/31) who was the catalyst of Australian top order demise. Prized catch of IPL 2021 Glen Maxwell again failed on the day scoring only 3 runs.

BANGLDESH CRICKETERS NOW IN ISOLATION IN WEEK LONG QUARANTINE MUST HAVE SEEN THE MATCH. THEY SHOULD LEARN LESSON HOW TO PLAN STRATEGY AGAINST RAMPAGING BLACK CAPS.

BDST: 1204 HRS, FEB 25, 2021
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