Australia sweep series against New Zealand with 27-run victory in 3rd T20I

The Australia cricket team won the third T20I by 27 runs and went on to win the series by 3-0 on February 25 at Eden Park in Auckland. Speaking about the game here, it was New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner who won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first in the game.

Notably, after being sent to bat first, Australia had posted 118/4 before rain played spoilsport in the game. However, New Zealand could only manage to get 98/3 while chasing 126 runs in the ten overs of the game due to rain and failed to win a single game out of three matches in the T20I series.

Meanwhile, Australia’s stand-in skipper, Matthew Wade, expressed his happiness after his side won the game. The 36-year-old cricketer lauded their bowlers, who easily defended their target and didn’t give New Zealand a single chance to win the game. In addition, the wicketkeeper batter feels they stand in the dominant position ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to take place on June 1 in the West Indies and USA.

We have a good batting line up and the bowlers are doing a good job: Matthew Wade

“Our bowlers were unbelievable, was a clinical bowling performance. The way Short batted, it was fantastic. Everyone is enjoying their cricket. However, everyone knows the World Cup’s coming up. We have a good batting line up and the bowlers are doing a good job, it’s nice to see the depth in the side. Credit goes to the support staff for their homework. Meanwhile, this venue wasn’t a happy hunting ground for us before today, but the bowlers got some help, it was a really good performance,” Matthew Wade said in the post-match presentation.

Here are the Playing XI for the 3rd T20I:

Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Steven Smith, Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w/c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson