Australia secured a commanding victory over New Zealand in the second Twenty20 international, propelled by Adam Zampa’s impressive bowling figures of 4-34. With New Zealand crumbling for just 102 runs in 17 overs, Australia clinched a resounding 72-run win, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Travis Head’s explosive innings of 45 from 22 balls set the tone for Australia’s strong start, but a collapse in the latter overs saw them post a modest total of 174 runs.
Despite New Zealand’s batting woes, Australia faced a scare when opener Rachin Ravindra and wicketkeeper Devon Conway suffered injuries. However, even with makeshift adjustments in their lineup, New Zealand couldn’t withstand Australia’s formidable bowling attack on a challenging pitch. Notable performances from Lockie Ferguson, who claimed 4-12, and Ben Sears kept Australia’s batting in check, but it was Zampa’s exceptional spell that ultimately sealed the victory for Australia.
While New Zealand’s hopes were dashed by Australia’s dominant display, the series loss serves as a reality check for the world’s second-ranked T20 team. With the T20 World Cup looming, Australia’s convincing series win provides a significant boost to their confidence as they aim for success in the upcoming tournament.
Source: apnews.com
