Australia Make It A Five Out Of Five
Being the Twenty20 World No. 1 is a coveted slot and Australia is fast closing in. Australia beat New Zealand at a rain-drenched Eden Park in the recent tri-series final, making it a five out of five for the Aussies. In many ways, its Australia’s bowling contingent, still largely uncelebrated at the beginning of the series that ultimately saved the day.
David Warner hit the nail on the head when he identified the need to drop early wickets, effectively stopping the runs short their tracks before they even had the opportunity to happen. As was evident from prior stints, once the Black Caps are full on into a run-fest, there’s no stopping them. Prevention then, seemed to far out-weigh cure.
Prime Partnerships
Initially, it looked like the Black Caps were well on track towards another epic total, when Martin Guptill’s partnership with Colin Munro had New Zealand racking it up at a pace of 10 for an over. But then, as so often happens in Twenty20, a soul-destroying disintegration set in as Australia’s super spinner Ashton Agar took three wickets in the scope of eight balls. Marcus Stoinis joined in the carnage before Ross Taylor stepped in and made for a brief breather for New Zealand. However, it was never going to be enough to make for a successful get-away.
Bit By Bit Does The Trick
If flying under the radar was a national sport, then Australia’s Ashton Agar would have won the series in more way than one. The largely unsung Agar proved that chipping away slowly at resolve was still the best way to wear it down. His three strikes trick was the game changer for this particular match, despite having been previously classified as an economical bowler. There’s much to be said for tearing through the middle order at the pace that Agar has been going about it. Agar may very well find it easier to shake the slow and steady reputation going forward. Fast and furious will most probably never be his main game either, but the lefty certainly showed his steel as well as the value of a good old keeping at it.
Paying The Price
Australia’s victory did not come without a cost, with Chris Lynne having had to exit the field after dislocating his shoulder. Lynne will most probably not be able to play in the upcoming Pakistan Super League.
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