Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series 2018: Australia vs New Zealand- 5th match, 5 talking points

The fifth match of the T20I tri-series between New Zealand, England and Australia had the two Trans-Tasman neighbors fighting it off at the Eden Park in Auckland in what turned out to be a run-feast.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a blazing start with the opening duo of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill adding 132 runs for the first wicket in just 10.4 overs. Eventually, the hosts ended with a mammoth score of 243 for the loss of 6 wickets in their quota of overs. The target was always meant to challenge the Australian players but bogged by a fluent opening partnership between David Warner and D’Arcy Short, the visitors chased down the target with five wickets and seven balls to spare.

Here are the 5 talking points of the match.

#1 Martin Guptill blazes away to his second T20I hundred

Martin Guptill, who surprisingly went unsold at the IPL auctions a few weeks ago, gave glimpses of what was in store as he began the New Zealand innings with a boundary off the bowling of Kane Richardson. It was just the impetus that the player needed and with Munro taking time to settle in, he started an onslaught that dented the Australian confidence from the very beginning.

He scored 105 in just 54 deliveries at a strike-rate of 194.44, with six boundaries and nine sixes! He scored 34 in just 7 deliveries in the end and was particularly harsh on Richardson, who was unable to find his momentum till the burly player was at the crease.

Along with de Munro, Guptill added 132 in just 64 balls and set the stage for a mighty target. Enroute his century, Guptill also became the highest scorer in T20Is.