Australia sweep NZ in T20s but Smith fails again

Australia have swept New Zealand 3-0 in their T20 series after a comfortable 27-run game three win. (AP PHOTO)

Australia have endured three rain delays on their way to a 27-run win and a clean sweep of their T20 series in New Zealand.

However, former skipper Steve Smith suffered another setback on Sunday as he attempts to make the squad for June's T20 World Cup, failing to deliver once more.

Australia posted 4-118 from 10.4 overs in an innings interrupted twice by Auckland showers.

A third rain delay brought the Black Caps to the crease with a revised total of 126 to chase.

Without four top batters, the understrength Kiwis were well held to 3-98 by Australia's bowlers at Eden Park.

With little on the line in the dead rubber, most attention centred on the performance of Smith.

The 34-year-old has been reinvented as a top-order option late in his career, and with David Warner absent, was given another shot at opening.

He departed meekly for four after three balls to damage his chances of a fourth World Cup.

The 34-year-old got off the mark with a textbook pull to the boundary, but two balls later was caught behind when half-heartedly cutting a rising Adam Milne delivery.

Smith was the only Australian batsman dismissed without making an impression.

Matt Short (27 off 11 deliveries) and Glenn Maxwell (20 off nine) played explosive hands, with Travis Head (33 off 30) accumulating well.

Josh Inglis (14 off eight) and Tim David (eight off three) were left in the middle when the rain ended their stint.

New Zealand, understrength again with key absences including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, never looked likely.

The early dismissals of Will Young and Tim Siefert brought key Kiwi duo Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips to the crease, with the Black Caps needing 96 from 43 balls.

Steve Smith.
Steve Smith remains under pressure after falling for just four.

Phillips fumed as Nathan Ellis produced four straight dot balls with outswingers in an over which pushed the required run-rate out from 12 to 15 an over.

The total was soon out of reach when Allen holed out off the bowling of Adam Zampa soon afterwards.

Phillips was New Zealand's best with an unbeaten 40 off 24, but unable to find partners able to go with him. 

Spencer Johnson (1-10 off two overs) impressed with the ball, as did Ellis (0-11 off two).

Marsh, skipped for the opening two matches, was named player of the series.

"To win three nil is a fantastic effort," he said.

"Coming here to New Zealand, it's always been a tough challenge ... especially their T20 side, it's a tough unit."

Australia made three changes for the match, with Marsh, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood rested ahead of the Test series beginning at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Thursday.

Black Caps captain Mitch Santner rued missed opportunities in the field - counting seven dropped efforts - but said the losses wouldn't hurt confidence for the Tests.

"The series didn't go as well as we wanted but we can park that ... and move onto the Tests," he said.

"Playing Australia at home is always a massive occasion."

The result means Australia retains the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, which was previously contested only in ODIs, but is now in play during all short-form series.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store