T20I tri-series: Australia vs New Zealand, 5 talking pointsÂ
The first match of the T20I tri-series, featuring England, Australia and New Zealand, held between the two Tasmanian nations ended with Australia romping home to a 7-wicket win.
Sending New Zealand to bat first, the Kiwis were never really able to gather momentum and could manage just 117/9 in their allotted overs. Chasing 95 to win in 15 overs, after rain thrashed the Sydney Cricket Ground in the innings break, Australia faced early hiccups but eventually got to the target with 21 balls to spare.
Here are the 5 talking points from the match.
#1 Billy Stanlake thwarts the Kiwi openers
With Martin Guptill and Colin Munro in roaring form, much was expected from the Kiwi openers in the first match of the tri-series. However, they were never really able to garner momentum once Billy Stanlake came out to bowl. In the first delivery that he bowled in the innings, he dismissed Munro, who was unable to detect the pace on the short ball. The batsman went for a pull but edged it to wicket-keeper Alex Carey, as Stanlake picked up his first T20I wicket.
The very next delivery he got Guptill, who remained caught up in the crease while defending a ball that nipped away and Stanlake was on a hat-trick! He later picked up Tom Bruce as well with a delivery that was sent down at 143 kmph, and with New Zealand struggling at 16/3, the hosts seemed in deep trouble.