Martin Guptill starred with the bat to help New Zealand register a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Australia at Wellington Stadium on Sunday to secure a 3-2 series win in the five-match T20I series. Guptill hit 71 runs off 46 deliveries with seven fours and four sixes as the Black Caps bounced back from two successive defeats to win the series vs Australia.
Chasing 143 for the series win, openers Devon Conway and Guptill forged a solid 106-run opening stand to give New Zealand a strong start before Riley Meredith removed Conway. Meredith struck again in the same over to remove New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson for a duck but Guptill continued to push the Black Caps towards Australia’s total until he was caught by Mitchell Marsh off Jhye Richardson’s bowling.
With fans allowed into the stadium following the lifting of New Zealand’s coronavirus restrictions, Guptill left to a standing ovation before Glenn Phillips hit a towering six to complete the win. Australia, who named an unchanged line-up following their win in the fourth meeting of the series on Friday, lost eight wickets for 142 in their innings.
Matthew Wade top-scored for Australia with 44 off just 29 balls while captain Aaron Finch followed up his impressive performances in the previous two matches with 36 runs from 32 balls. The Australian batsmen struggled to find their tempo on a tricky surface with New Zealand’s bowlers keeping the visitors in check throughout the final 10 overs to set up a successful run chase.
