On This Day (OTD) on February 16, powerful Australia (AUS) destroyed New Zealand (NZ) bowlers throughout the park for fun. It was an utter run fest that resulted in the highest chase in T20I history at the time. In 2018, a trans-Tasman encounter pitted neighbours against one another in a Twenty20 International. The game was played at Auckland’s Eden Park, which is noteworthy.
The Kiwis established a massive 244-run target in this T20I spectacle by showcasing their dominance with a fantastic batting display. The Men in Yellow, on the other hand, played unaffected and had different ideas. Even more intriguing was the fact that the Australians finished the run chase with seven balls remaining in just 18.5 overs. Amazingly, in just 39.5 overs, both teams managed to score a total of 488 runs. The third-highest total runs scored in T20I history was thus also attained.
In relation to the match, New Zealand was fortunate to win the coin toss and the hosts chose to bat first. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, the opening duo, displayed their batting prowess by stitching a 132-run partnership for the first wicket. Munro, who was in his menacing form, was dismissed for 76 runs off just 33 balls, missing out on a well-earned century. During his booming spell at the crease, the big hitter hammered six sixes and as many boundaries.
Guptill scored the most points in the historic T20I match.
However, Martin Guptill took full advantage of his strong start and hammered a century before being removed for 105 runs after just 54 balls. With nine sixes and six fours, the right-handed hitter outperformed his companion in terms of ballistic ability. New Zealand ended their innings for 243/6 in their allotted 20 overs as a result. Pacers Andrew Tye and Kane Richardson share two wickets between them, which is one of Australia’s most noteworthy bowling efforts.
Check out the thrilling highlights of Australia’s run chase here:
D’Arcy Short’s half century leads Australia’s record, highest ever T20I chase of 245, to win the fifth T20I against New Zealand, in Auckland, on 2018
Aaron Finch finished the chase in style with a maximum pic.twitter.com/0P6SaFx3my
— Anish Desouza (@ilegally_indian) February 7, 2024
Australia’s run chase had a strong foundation thanks to Warner and Short.
Australian openers David Warner and D’Arcy Short (76 off 44 balls) both got off to a scorching start in response to New Zealand’s total. Before the former was dismissed for 59 runs, they started to score half-centuries. Australian batsmen maintained the pace thanks to their 121-run stand for the first wicket.
Power hitters Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch made crucial cameos, even after Short (76 runs off 44 balls) followed suit like his companion Warner. Finch led his team to an incredible victory (245/5) by five wickets, remaining undefeated at 36* off 14 balls, while Maxwell also left after a rapid 31 off 14 deliveries.
India
