New Zealand vs Australia 3rd T20I: Live Score And Updates

Welcome back for Australia's reply with the bat. The Kiwis spread out of the huddle. The destructive pair of Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh, walk out to open for Australia. Matt Henry to bowl the opening over. Marsh to face. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Okay then, 157 is the magic number for Australia to win the series 2-0. And to prevent that, the Blackcaps will have to produce a strong, united bowling performance, right from the start. We saw the new ball seam and bounce early doors. Hence, it is a non-negotiable for the hosts to win the Powerplay phase with as many wickets as they can snag, or else, this can be yet another stroll in the park for the Aussies. Back in a bit for the chase. Stay tuned.

New Zealand's Tim Seifert is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. He says it is tough out there with the ball seaming throughout, which is also good for their bowlers. Adds that he doesn't expect it to change much and hopes their seamers can set the tone with early wickets. Mentions that hitting the Test lengths on this wicket will be helpful and that is what he tells his bowlers. Ends by saying that he hopes they have enough runs on the board.

After Seifert’s breezy 45 came to an end, the lower order contributed valuable runs through Neesham and skipper Bracewell. However, the familiar pattern returned as promising stands once again failed to evolve into a decisive push. Despite three partnerships crossing the 30-run mark, New Zealand struggled to find that final burst in the backend, losing set batters, which prevented them from posting a huge total. Sean Abbott was relentless at the backend and finished up with three wickets and none of the bowlers, barring Stoinis, conceded over an economy of 7.5.

Seifert looked the most composed at the crease, anchoring the innings while Mitchell offered steady support from the other end, ensuring New Zealand did not slip into a defensive shell during the rebuilding phase. Yet, as has been the recurring theme of this series, just when a partnership began to promise, Australia found a way to claw back with wickets. Zampa was relentless through the middle overs, while Bartlett maintained impressive control with the ball. Still, New Zealand managed to keep the scoreboard ticking, collecting a useful 81 runs in that 7-15 over phase.

After a rain-delayed start, New Zealand’s innings began on a shaky note with Conway departing in the opening over. The surface offered just enough lateral movement and lively bounce to keep the seamers interested, making the batters tread carefully early on. Hazlewood made the most of the conditions, striking twice in his spell, including the prized wicket of the in-form Tim Robinson. By the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand had cautiously moved to 46/3.

A neat and clean bowling display from Australia. They have restricted the hosts to a fairly underpar score on a decent batting track. But to be honest, it didn't appear to be as flat as the first game, of course, due to damp conditions out there. New Zealand kept losing wickets in clusters towards the backend and could score only 29 runs in the final five overs, losing four wickets in that period. This is the joint-second lowest total for New Zealand, in T20Is, at Mount Maunganui.

A single to end the innings! Marcus Stoinis goes fuller and angling into the pads, Ish Sodhi flicks it away towards deep square leg for just one. New Zealand finish on 156/9!

Pitched up and outside off, Jacob Duffy reaches out and drills it to sweeper covers and charges in for a single. David picks the ball and fires in a flat throw at the non-striker's end, but misses to score a direct hit, allowing Duffy to slide his bat in the crease.

Slower one, miles outside off, on a fuller length. Ish Sodhi waits for it and carves it over point for a single.

A well-directed short ball, on top of off. Ish Sodhi swivels to pull that away, but the ball kicks up a bit and goes above his angled bat.

SIX! BANG! Connects well this time! Good length and on middle, angling in a bit, Ish Sodhi picks up the length early and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 150 up for the Kiwis!

Swing and a miss! Fuller and outside off, Ish Sodhi swings for the fence but misses.

Jacob Duffy is the last man in for New Zealand. Marcus Stoinis (3-1-34-1) to bowl the final over of the first inning.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sean Abbott has three now! He goes full and straight, attacks the stumps, Ben Sears moves across early for the scoop, but misses it completely as the ball disturbs the furniture behind him. New Zealand are 147/9, and Abbott finishes a superb spell with figures of 4-0-25-3.

Wow! That is a superb effort from the Aussie skipper! Hard length and on middle, Ish Sodhi tries to swat it away but mistimes it in the air just over the bowler's head. Mitchell Marsh from mid off runs to his right and dives to grab it with his outstretched right hand. The ball gets stuck between his thumb and index finger, but just pops out when his hand hits the ground. That would have been special. SIngle taken.

Beaten! Good length and on off, nips back in, Ish Sodhi swings but misses.

Ish Sodhi is in at 10.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Sean Abbott hits the length hard, targets the body of the batter, on middle and leg. Matt Henry tries to pull it again, but the ball climbs up on him, and he mistimes it in the air, getting it higher on the bat. The ball flies over the inner ring, and Marcus Stoinis at mid-wicket settles under it and takes it with a reverse cup. The Kiwis are eight down now!