Brief scores:
New Zealand 156/9 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 48, Michael Bracewell 26; Sean Abbott 3/25, Xavier Bartlett 2/25) lost to Australia 160/7 in 18 overs (Mitchell Marsh 103*, Mitchell Owen 14; James Neesham 4/26, Jacob Duffy 2/29) by three wickets.
Mitchell Marsh's brilliant century saved Australia's batting department from the blushes in the third T20I against New Zealand on Saturday, October 4, as they retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the ninth successive time.
Marsh won the toss at the Bay
Oval in Mount Maunganui and opted to field first. Josh Hazlewood vindicated the move by dismissing Devon Conway in the first over. Tim Robinson and Tim Seifert added a 34-run stand off 21 balls before the former was sent packing by Hazlewood.
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell failed to get into double figures, while Seifert had to drop anchor. The latter was dismissed two runs short of a half-century. Inside 13 overs, the Kiwis lost half their side with just 99 runs on the board.
Michael Bracewell and James Neesham scored 26 (22) and 25 (18), respectively, to resurrect the ship. Their 39-run partnership off 25 balls helped New Zealand regain hopes of a decent first-innings total. However, Australia bowled superbly in the death overs, giving away just 29 runs in the last five. New Zealand finished on 156/9 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Marsh played flamboyantly even as Travis Head was dismissed in the fourth over. The Aussie skipper single-handedly kept his team in the hunt, with the middle-order batters failing to get into double figures. Mitchell Owen contributed with a handy 14 off 10 balls as New Zealand fought tooth and nail for a series-levelling win. James Neesham led the fight for the BlackCaps with a sensational spell.
In the end, Sean Abbott, who had bagged a three-for with the ball, gave good company with an unbeaten seven-ball 13 as Marsh took Australia over the line. Marsh finished on 103* off 52 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes. Australia reached the target in 18 overs with three wickets to spare. The Aussies won the series 2-0.
