Australian players celebrate after winning the Twenty20 Tri Series final against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on February 21, 2018. Photo: Afp
Afp, Auckland
Australia cruised to a 19-run victory in a rain-affected T20 tri-series final with New Zealand Wednesday to claim the world number one ranking in the shortest form of the game for the first time.
New Zealand struggled to 150 for nine after electing to bat first at Auckland's Eden Park but failing to repeat the pyrotechnics that saw them score 243 against Australia at the same ground last Friday.
Australia's bowlers avenged that pasting as they tore through New Zealand's middle order, led by spinner Ashton Agar's career-best T20 figures for three for 27.
Ross Taylor's 43 of 38 balls was the highlight of a poor New Zealand batting display that included just five sixes, despite Eden Park's notoriously short boundaries......#₱
Australia never looked in danger of missing the 151-run target but the manner in which.......