Australia 174 (Head 45, Ferguson 4-12, Sears 2-29) beat New Zealand 102 (Phillips 42, Zampa 4-34, Ellis 2-16) by 72 runs
While their thrilling victory in the first game was highlighted by a magnificent chase, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack shone here with Hazlewood’s terrific opening spell setting the tone. Zampa then took over with four wickets as Australia clinched the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a thumping victory, with a match to spare.
It was a stellar comeback for Australia, who were staring down the barrel at 138 for 7 after being sent in at Eden Park.
The series finale will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Hazlewood stars early, Zampa bounces back
Australia were seemingly defending a sub-par total, but Hazlewood was on the money with trademark accurate line-and-length bowling. After being carted by Finn Allen for a six on his third delivery, Hazlewood exacted revenge when Allen unluckily played on.
Hazlewood relished the surface’s bounce and zeroed in on a nervy New Zealand top order with his initial three-over burst capped by a maiden. Astonishingly he bowled 15 dots in his first 18 deliveries. It was an important hit-out for Hazlewood, who won’t be playing in the IPL due to the birth of his first child.
Zampa slammed the door shut on New Zealand with the wickets of Josh Clarkson and Adam Milne on successive deliveries. It was a relief for Zampa, who had been pummelled for 107 runs across his last two T20Is.
Australia’s strong performance in the field was highlighted by returning wicketkeeper Matthew Wade sprinting towards fine leg and completing a fine diving catch to remove opener Will Young.
New Zealand struggle without Conway
Without opener Conway, who returned to form with a half-century in game one, New Zealand’s batting order was out of sync as they crashed in the powerplay.
Skipper Mitchell Santner promoted himself to No. 3, but it backfired and their hopes rested on Clarkson and Glenn Phillips.
Clarkson could not get going in his first T20I innings before being bowled by Zampa, who ripped apart New Zealand’s middle order, including Phillips for 42.
Smith fails to impress, Australia’s hard-hitting backfires
With Australia trialling their line-up, Smith was given an opportunity at the top of the order while David Warner was rested.
After not scoring off his first two deliveries against Milne bowling over 140kph, Smith decided to go for broke. He carved a cut over backward point then scooped a six over fine leg in an audacious manner reminiscent of the stroke he unfurled in the waning moments of the thrilling Gabba Test against West Indies.
Tim David, Australia’s hero at the death in the first game, came out at the halfway point and he was clearly not as comfortable coming to the crease earlier than expected.
David made just 17 off 19 balls, but a handy late knock from Pat Cummins kick-started Australia’s comeback.
Boult cops early punishment, Ferguson and Sears restrict Australia
Boult, however, had a torrid first over when he leaked 20 runs, including unluckily being hit for two sixes that flew off Head’s outside edge. Things didn’t improve much for Boult, who finished with 0 for 49 off four overs.
But Boult played his part with tough catches at long-on to dismiss Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. New Zealand clawed back with Ferguson backing up his impressive performance in the first game to finish with 4 for 12 – the best T20I figures for a New Zealand bowler against Australia.
He bowled mostly a tight length to restrict Australia’s power-hitters with his bowling effort marked by 13 dot balls.
Ferguson was well supported by fellow speedster Ben Sears, who proved an inspired selection with 2 for 29 from four overs. He mixed his pace superbly with numerous slower deliveries frustrating Australia’s batters in the middle overs.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
