SUDDEN DEATH AFTER A SUPER SUMMER
New Zealand ended Australia's winning run in a most remarkable Twenty20 international in Christchurch, winning a super-over "shootout" in front of 26,148 spectators.
New Zealand posted 6-214 from their 20 overs, with Brendon McCullum lashing the tourists' bowlers for a remarkable 116 off 56 balls as the Black Caps posted the equal-sixth highest team score in Twenty20 internationals - and the highest against Australia.
Australia captain Michael Clarke and Cameron White then powered the tourists to 4-214 from their 20 overs to force the one-over "bowl-off", White particularly impressive in making 64 not out from 26 balls, hitting five fours and five sixes.
The Black Caps were proved too cool under the pressure of a “super over” playoff after both teams scored 214.
Captain Michael Clarke was forced to defend Shaun Tain, who bowled two wides to give New Zealand a simple task of scoring the winning runs, but it was the inability of the Australian’s to socre off Tim Southee in their super over that led to defeat.
Man-of-the-match Brendon McCullum clubbed an unbeaten and memorable 116 for New Zealand. Needing 12 to win from the final over by Southee Australia scored 11 with Clarke run out for a career-best 67 chasing a third run at long-on.
It was Australia’s first defeat this summer, after going unbeaten at home in six Tests, 10 one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games against the West Indies and Pakistan.
Clarke said that the super over eliminator was all new to him.
“I didn’t know that was the case that we had that super over,” he said.
“We’ll learn. We’re getting better all the time.”
Fast Fact
While women’s test matches are played over four days rather than the standard five, they can still manage the same number of overs as men ...
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