New Zealand held their nerve to edge Australia by eight runs in a tense World Twenty20 Group 2 match yesterday, moving closer to a place in the semi-finals.
On a high after beating hosts India in their opening game, New Zealand posted a modest 142-8 before defending the total with disciplined bowling and tight fielding against their trans-Tasman rivals.
Australia came into the tournament with an embarrassment of top-order riches and opened with Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson.
Photo: AP
The decision meant no place for Aaron Finch, who was captain of the side barely six weeks ago and is the top-ranked batsman in this format of the game.
Khawaja (38) added 44 runs with Shane Watson (13) before Australia suffered a collapse to slump to 66-4 at the halfway mark of their innings.
Glenn Maxwell (22) and Mitchell Marsh (24) tried, but Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and needed 19 runs off the final over sent down by Corey Anderson.
Photo: AP
Anderson dismissed James Faulkner with the first ball of the final over to all but dash Australia’s slender hopes of a narrow win as New Zealand rose to the top of the group table.
Peter Nevill hit a six just over the head of Mitchell Santner at mid-wicket from the third delivery to bring the equation down to 12 from three, but Anderson bowled Nathan Coulter-Nile from the penultimate delivery to wrap things up.
Mitchell McClenaghan justified his selection at the cost of off-spinner Nathan McCullum, claiming figures of 3-17.
Earlier, Martin Guptill (39) gave New Zealand a flying start in a 61-run opening stand with skipper Kane Williamson (24) who opted to bat first on a dry track at the picturesque stadium in the north Indian hill station.
Guptill greeted Aston Agar by hitting his first two deliveries out of the ground and a third six off the final ball of the over ensured the left-arm spinner was removed from the attack.
Maxwell proved why he is such an asset for the side, taking a catch in the deep to send back the dangerous Guptill, dismissing Williamson with his second delivery and sending back Anderson in his next over.
The 27-year-old remained in the thick of things, taking another catch to dismiss Luke Ronchi and firing in a bullet throw to run out Santner.
Grant Elliot struck a quickfire 27 down the order, but New Zealand managed only 84 runs in the last 14 overs.
The total seemed insignificant with Australia getting early momentum from Khawaja and Watson.
However, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi bowled with great control, claiming 1-14 from his four overs, while spin partner Santner took two wickets.
Additional reporting by staff writer
GROUP 1
AP, KOLKATA, India
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan struck an unbeaten 83 to help Sri Lanka open their title defense with a win, beating Afghanistan by six wickets on Thursday.
Dilshan struck eight fours and three sixes off 56 deliveries to guide Sri Lanka to 155-4 in reply to Afghanistan’s 153-7.
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai produced an attractive 47-ball 62 with three fours and four sixes for his highest score in 33 games.
He added 61 off 5.3 overs for the fifth wicket with Samiullah Shenwari, who got 31 off just 14 deliveries.
Pace bowler Thisara Perera (3-33) and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (2-24) were the main wicket-takers for Sri Lanka.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely