Guptill helps NZ clinch T20I series against Australia

NZ vs Aus, 5th T20I: Guptill helps NZ clinch T20I series against Australia

By Reuters
March 07, 2021
Guptill helps NZ clinch T20I series against Australia / Photo: Cricket Australia 

New Zealand’s opening batsman Martin Guptill led his side to a seven-wicket win over Australia to clinch the five-match Twenty20 International series 3-2 at Wellington Stadium on Sunday.

The batsman amassed 71 runs off 46 deliveries, hitting seven fours and four sixes, to help the home side bounce back after facing two successive losses against the visiting team.

New Zealand put on a 143-run target for Australia in the series decider after openers Devon Conway and Guptill gave Black Caps the perfect start scoring 106 runs for the first wicket before Conway was dismissed by Riley Meredith.

Kane Williamson was out without scoring soon after 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 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.

Read: Skipper Finch helps Australia beat NZ by 50 runs in fourth T20I

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