Australia smashed the T20 record on Friday when they posted 245-5, beating New Zealand by five wickets in Auckland.
The match saw almost 500 runs being scored on what was clearly a batting track, with only two bowlers – one from each team – going for under 10 an over.
New Zealand would have felt comfortable with their total of 243-6, which was helped by an impressive 105 off 54 balls by opener Martin Guptill, but the pitch was as kind to the Australians as it was to the Kiwis.
Durban-born Colin Monro was in equally-impressive form with the bat, and scored 76 off just 33 balls. Guptill and Munro laid the foundation for the Black Caps as they scored 132 for the first wicket.
That was it for the New Zealanders, though, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Spinner Ashton Agar was the pick of the Australian bowlers as he went for just 24 runs in his three overs, and managed to take the wicket of Tim Seifert.
Australia started the chase as impressively as New Zealand did, as openers David Warner and D’Arcy Short put on 121 for the first wicket.
Although skipper Warner was removed for 59 from 24 balls, Australia were able to maintain their run rate. Glenn Maxwell scored 31 off 14 balls, and Aaron Finch chipped in with a useful 36 not out from 14 balls.
In the end, Australia reached the target with seven balls to spare, and strengthened their position at the top of the Trans-Tasman Twenty20 Trophy table, which also features England.
Photo: @CricketAus/Twitter
