NZ v AUS 2021: Martin Guptill, Jimmy Neesham sparkle in New Zealand’s thrilling win over Australia in 2nd T20I

New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

By Salman Anjum - 25 Feb, 2021

New Zealand continued their supremacy over Australia in the ongoing T20I series, pulling off a thrilling four-run victory in the second game in Dunedin on Thursday (February 25).

It was a high-scoring affair as the Kiwis piled up a massive 219/7 in 20 overs after being invited to bat first.

Opener Martin Guptill was the star with the bat, scoring 97 off just 60 balls (6 fours and 8 sixes). Skipper Kane Williamson (53 off 35 balls) and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham (45* off 16 balls) also made significant contributions to the total.

WATCH - Jimmy Neesham pulls off a reverse ramp shot; Wasim Jaffer reacts with a meme

Jhye Richardson (1-39) was the most economical among all the Australian bowlers while Kane Richardson claimed 3 wickets by conceding 43 runs in his four overs.

In reply, the visitors almost pulled off an extraordinary run chase thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ 37-ball 78. Josh Philippe (45 off 32 balls) and Daniel Sams (41 off 15 balls) also showed their brilliance with the bat as Australia finished with 215/8 in 20 overs.

For New Zealand, Neesham took two wickets in the final over when a rampant Australia needed 15 runs for victory. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner also shone amid the batting fireworks, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 219/7 in 20 overs (Martin Guptill 97; Kane Richardson 3-43) beat Australia 215/8 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 78; Mitchell Santner 4-31) by 4 runs.

By Salman Anjum - 25 Feb, 2021

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