New Zealand vs Australia: Australia punished New Zealand and won the second T20 match and won the series. cricket news

Australia’s bowlers on Friday thwarted New Zealand’s careless batting and won the second Twenty20 International by 72 runs in Auckland to clinch the three-match series. Leg spinner Adam Zampa finished the innings with 4-34 in the middle order as the home side was bowled out for 102 in 17 overs at Eden Park. New Zealand lost early wickets and always looked unlikely to match the visitors, who were all out for 174 in the final over. Only Glenn Phillips put up resistance by scoring 42 runs but New Zealand’s hopes were dashed when he was caught at long on by Zampa in the 14th over.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said he was worried that his team had not scored enough but was happy with their bowling ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.

Marsh praised Zampa’s match-winning ability, saying, “A great win for Australia. Our backs were against the wall, I thought maybe we were 50 runs short, but the way our bowlers performed. Was excellent.”

“I’ve said it many times before – he’s probably the most important player on this team. He was fantastic again.”

The Black Caps’ cause was not helped by a thumb injury suffered in the field by Devon Conway, which prevented the opening batsman from batting.

Conway may be doubtful for Sunday’s third match in Auckland due to an injury sustained while keeping wickets.

Captain Mitchell Santner said X-rays showed Conway did not suffer a fracture and he was hopeful the experienced batsman would be available for the two-Test series starting in Wellington next week.

Santner praised his bowlers but said the batting effort lacked discipline.

He promoted himself up the order, but that experiment failed and he was one of eight New Zealand batsmen who failed to progress past 10 due to a series of loose shots.

“We were quite happy at the halfway stage but they bowled very well,” he said.

Earlier, after being sent off for Australia, opener Travis Head scored 45 runs off 22 balls, but he faltered in the middle stage in front of the brilliant bowling of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.

Ferguson claimed 4-12 from 3.5 overs as five wickets fell quickly with Head’s dismissal leaving Australia at 84-1 in the seventh over.

Other notable scores were 26 from Marsh and 28 from player of the match Pat Cummins.

Santner, Adam Milne and Ben Sears took two wickets each for the host team.

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