Adam Zampa took 4/34 as Australia bundled out New Zealand for 102 in 17 overs to win the second T20I by 72 runs on Friday and take an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
Australia won the first match in Wellington by six wickets with a last-ball boundary. The third match is at Eden Park on Sunday.
“It was a great win for Australia,” captain Mitch Marsh said. “Our backs were against the wall and we thought we were probably 50 runs short.
“But, the way our bowlers came out and performed was outstanding. All of our teams over the last 12 months have been backed into a lot of corners and we’ve managed to find a way to get out of them. Tonight (Friday) was another example of that.”
Australia looked to have fallen short of a competitive total when they were bowled out for 174 in 19.5 overs after being 72/1 at the end of the six-over Powerplay.
Opener Travis Head blasted 45 from 22 balls, including five sixes, to give Australia a fast start. They lost six wickets for 59 runs in the last 9.5 overs.
Brief scores: Australia 174 in 20 (Travis Head 45, Pat Cummins 28; Lockie Ferguson 4/12). NZ 102 in 17 (Glenn Phillips 42; Adam Zampa 4/34). Australia won by 72 runs.
