Agar stars as Australia claim tri-series honours

A splendid slow-bowling performance from Ashton Agar helped Australia beat New Zealand by 19 runs (D/L method) in the T20 tri-series final at Eden Park on Wednesday.
Left-arm spinner Agar returned figures of 3-27 in four overs as the Aussies restricted the Kiwis to a modest total of 150/9 in their 20 overs after home captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first.
The hosts got off to a fast start with the willow as openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro put on 48 inside the first five overs.
But the wheels came off as seamer Billy Stanlake made the breakthrough, removing Guptill for 21, while Kane Richardson took care of Munro, for 29, before the Powerplay was over to leave the Black Caps still in a decent position of 63/2 after six overs.
Agar though put the visitors on top with the wickets of Williamson (9), Mark Chapman (8) and Colin de Grandhomme (10) to break the back of the home side’s middle-order.
Ross Taylor hit a few boundaries with the tail-enders at the other end to finish with 43 not out to at least give the Kiwis something to bowl at.
Australia got off to a good start in the run-chase, with skipper David Warner and D’Arcy Short adding 72 for the first wicket with Short the more aggressive of the two going to his fifty in just 30 balls.
However, the hosts hit back with three quick wickets of their own as Short (50), Warner (25) and Agar (2), who was promoted to number three after Chris Lynn injured his shoulder in the field, fell within three overs of each other.
At 84/3 in the 11th over, New Zealand sniffed a chance but Glenn Maxwell (20 not out) and Aaron Finch (18 not out) batted with care to take the Aussies to 121/3 after 14.4 overs.
The rain then came and the umpires called the game off to give Australia victory and the T20 tri-series, which also involved England, trophy.
Latest
-
News
It was nice to bat on – Rohit Sharma defends pitch after India seal two-day win
The hosts thrashed England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Charlotte Edwards elected as first female president of the PCA
The former England captain takes over from Graham Gooch at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
-
News
Joe Root refuses to blame pitch for England’s quickfire defeat in Ahmedabad
It was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled.
-
News
7 Tests with the most premature endings since 2000
A turning wicket caused chaos for batsmen on both sides as England’s first-innings collapse for 112 set the tone.
-
News
Pundits criticise pitch and England selection policy after heavy defeat to India
There were 17 wickets inside two sessions on the second day of the Test as Joe Root’s side suffered defeat.
-
News
India v England, Day 2: The hosts put Joe Root’s side in a spin
England slipped 2-1 down in the series.
-
News
England slump to two-day Test defeat against India in Ahmedabad
Spinner Axar Patel took five for 32 to finish with a match haul of 11 wickets.
-
News
England on course for defeat inside two days after collapse against spin
England were bowled out for 81.
-
News
Warwickshire bolster batting with signing of Pieter Malan
Paul Frabrace hopes Pieter Malan will help mentor Warwickshire’s young batsmen.
-
News
How Joe Root’s five-for-eight compares to England’s best Test bowling figures
The part-time off-spinner ripped through India’s tail in Ahmedabad.