AUCKLAND: Australia completed the highest run chase in Twenty20 history tobeat New Zealand by five wickets and maintain their unbeaten record in theT20 tri-series in Auckland on Friday.
In a roller-coaster match, the Black Caps set an imposing target of 244 onthe back of opener Martin Guptill´s century but the Australians overhauledit with seven balls to spare.
A combination of Eden Park´s short boundaries and a flat pitch produced abatsman´s paradise that frustrated bowlers from both sides and set recordstumbling.
Australia´s total of five for 245 exceeds the previous record chase of 244scored by India against the West Indies in 2016.
The unlucky Guptill also become international T20´s highest run scorerafter making 105 off 54 balls.
It took his international T20 career total to 2,188 runs, surpassingcompatriot Brendon McCullum´s 2,140, with India´s Virat Kohli the nexthighest on the all-time list with 1,956.
Guptill´s 49-ball century was New Zealand´s fastest T20 ton and the teamtotal of 243 equalled the highest posted by the Black Caps.
The match also had its share of bizarre moments, including New Zealandbatsman Mark Chapman´s dismissal, when a fizzing Billy Stanlake ballknocked off his helmet and sent it rolling into the stumps.
The umpires also ordered Black Cap seamer Ben Wheeler out of the attackafter two high no-balls, with the unfortunate bowler conceding 64 runs off3.1 overs. -APP / AFP