T20 Tri-series 1st Match: Stanlake, Tye blow New Zealand away in rain-affected showdown

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Billy Stanlake three wickets Australia New Zealand T20 tri-series Sydney cricket

Billy Stanlake was named Man of the Match for his career-best figures of 3-15

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Billy Stanlake and Andrew Tye combined to take seven wickets as Australia cruised to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the opening game of the T20 tri-series in Sydney.

Choosing to bowl first, Stanlake struck twice in two balls in the second over of the match as Colin Munro was caught by debutant Alex Carey for three runs before Martin Guptill, who scored five runs, had his stumps rattled.

Stanlake struck again in his next over as Tom Bruce was caught by Kane Richardson at long leg for three runs.

New Zealand continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as Tye took out captain Kane Williamson before carving through their lower order.

Since Tom Blundell, who made 14, Ross Taylor, who scored 24 and Colin de Grandhomme, who accumulated 28 runs, were the only three batsmen to reach double figures, the Black Caps were restricted to 117/9 off their 20 overs.

Tye was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Stanlake snapped up three. As for Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, they chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Since there was a rain delay during the innings break, the match was reduced to 15 overs and Australia were subsequently given a revised target of 95 to win.

However, they didn’t get off to a good start as debutant D’Arcy Short was caught by Taylor at midwicket off the bowling of Tim Southee for four runs.

Stand-in captain David Warner fared no better as he was dismissed by Trent Boult for six runs.

Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell stabilised the innings with a 77-run partnership and also put Australia within touching distance of victory. However, they were unable to finish things off as Lynn was caught by Ish Sodhi at fine leg off the bowling of Boult for 44, which came off 33 balls and included six boundaries and a six.

Despite losing Lynn, Australia reached their target with 21 balls to spare. Maxwell finished unbeaten on 40 off 24 deliveries, which included five boundaries and a six.

Boult was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Southee claimed one.

Stanlake was named Man of the Match.

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