Australia created history as they chased down the highest ever Twenty20 International run-chase. The Kangaroos thrashed New Zealand by five wickets at the Eden Park in Auckland on February 16.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 243 for six in their quota of 20 overs. Opener Martin Guptill smashed his second T20I ton.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Well, hosts made complete use of the conditions as their opening batsmen were involved in a 132 runs opening wicket partnership.
Colin Munro and Martin Guptill were right into the attacking mode against Australian fast bowlers.
Munro played whirlwind innings of 76 runs off just 33 deliveries while Martin Guptill scored his second T20I hundred and was dismissed for 105. Ross Taylor then played handy innings of 17 runs of just six balls.
Andrew Tye was the most expensive Australian bowler. He gave away 64 runs in four overs and picked up two wickets.
Australian started the run chase with some hard hitting as David Warner and D’arcy Short were involved in a 121 runs partnership. However, Warner fell in the ninth over. Warner scored his first score of over 50 for the first time in the limited overs format this season.
Glen Maxwell and Aaron Finch then came in and played quickfire innings of 31 and 36 respectively. Australia chased down the target in just 18.5 overs.
The Australian batsmen took the attack to Kiwi bowler Ben Wheeler, who gave away 64 runs in 3.1 overs.
D’Arcy Short was adjudged the Man of the Match for scoring 76 off just 44 deliveries.
Twitter erupted as Australia chased down a record-breaking target.
Here are some of the Tweets which saw Australia setting up a new record:
What a game we've had at Eden Park! Australia pull off the biggest successful run chase in T20I history to beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in a classic! #NZvAUS scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/Cidk6uRryy pic.twitter.com/RQm52tEXev
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2018
What a remarkable chase from @CricketAus, yes small ground but same size for both sides! #NZvAUS #T20triSeries
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 16, 2018
#NZvAUS Auckland T20I
488 runs – Second highest match aggregate after 489 in WI vs Ind in Lauderhill, 2016
32 sixes – Joint most no. of sixes in T20Is alongside the above WI vs Ind T20I
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
Most runs in…
Tests: Sachin Tendulkar 15921 runs
ODIs: Sachin Tendulkar 18426 runs
T20Is: Martin Guptill 2141* runs#NZvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 16, 2018
WORLD RECORD
Australia chase down 244 with 7 balls to spare.
Highest successful run chase in T20 international history.
Result means @englandcricket can still qualify for the Tri-series final. #bbccricket #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/xB5jKe8E6R
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) February 16, 2018
Australia's second innings total 245 is the highest ever successful chase in T20 history, including all the leagues and domestic matches. There have been 6800+ T20 games! #NZvAus
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 16, 2018
Most T20I 100s
3 Colin Munro
2 Brendon McCullum
2 Chris Gayle
2 Evin Lewis
2 Rohit Sharma
2 Glenn Maxwell
2 Martin Guptill#NZvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 16, 2018
✔32 sixes
✔World record run chase.
✔Fastest NZ 100.
✔Highest score ever put on AUS.
✔Helmet wicket.
✔1 over = 2 bowlers, 25 runs, 3 catches, 1 wicket.
✔50k tui catch.
✔Broken corporate window.@BLACKCAPS have I missed anything???? #NZvAUS— Caitlin Boyd (@c_itlinalice) February 16, 2018
Highest T20 chase by Aus – regardless of the boundaries size this is one extraordinary effort!! #NZvAUS
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) February 16, 2018
Highest successful run chases in
Tests: 418/7 – by West Indies beat Australia at St John's 2003
ODIs: 438/9 – by South Africa beat Australia at Jo'burg 2006
T20Is: 245/5 – by Australia beat New Zealand tonight #NZvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 16, 2018
ALL OVER! Australia remains unbeaten in the #T20 triangular series after reaching a record run chase target against NZ at Eden Park. Winners by five wickets with seven balls to spare. #NZvAUS
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) February 16, 2018
Australia's 245/5 today is the highest successful chase in all Twenty20 cricket and not just Twenty20 internationals.
A total of 6800+ Twenty20 matches have been played till date.#NZvAUS— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) February 16, 2018
Spare a thought for Guptill. Breaks McCullum's record with his 100 off 49 balls, and still not on the winning side!!! My head's still reeling???? #NZvAUS
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) February 16, 2018
If you're looking for balance between bat and ball, stop looking at the regulations…bat size and ground size. The buck stops with the curators. Prepare a pitch that allows bowlers to compete…and not just participate. #NZvAUS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 16, 2018
119 more runs scored tonight than when Aus and NZ played in the 2015 50-over World Cup final.#NZvAUS
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 16, 2018