Mitchell McCelnaghan steers NZ to 8-run victory over Australia

World T20, 17th Match, Super 10 Group 2: Australia v New Zealand at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, Mar 18, 2016.

New Zealand 142/8 (20/20 ov) MJ Guptill 39 off 27 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes, GD Elliott 27 off 20 balls 3 fours, KS Williamson 24 off 20 balls 4 fours, JP Faulkner 18-2, GJ Maxwell 18-2, SR Watson 22-1, MR Marsh 26-1

Australia 134/9 20/20 ov) UT Khawaja 38 off 27 6 fours, GJ Maxwell 22 off23 balls 2 fours, MR Marsh 24 off 23, 2, sixes, MJ McClenaghan 17-3, MJ Santner 30-2, CJ  Anderson 29-2

New Zealand won by 8 runs.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat and recorded two wins from two matches with an eight-run victory over Australia. Having spun India out in Nagpur they brought in fast bowler Mitchell McCelnaghan who took 3 for 17 and derailed Australia’s innings. Agar was sent in ahead of James Faulkner with 43 needed off 30 balls and five wickets in hand. Agar scored only 9 off eight balls as Faulkner did not get a chance to face a ball until there were 21 needed off 10 balls, in the penultimate over of the chase of 143, McClenaghan took two prized wickets of Agar and Mitchell Marsh for 24.

From 22 needed off 12, Australia needs 19 off the last over. Corey Anderson trapped Faulkner caught in the deep first ball.

New Zealand had enough runs  with two wins from two matches and games against Pakistan and Bangladesh to come, they are well placed to reach the semi-finals.