On Friday, Australia successfully chased the highest T20I total after they chased down the 244-runs target that was set by the host New Zealand. It was the 5th T20I of the ongoing tri-series at Eden Park (Auckland) where both teams scored huge runs and broke a huge number of records.
After winning the toss, New Zealand decided to bat first. Their opening batsman Martin Guptill played a beast knock of 105 runs off just 54 balls. After becoming the leading run-scorer in T20I history, Guptill completed his century in just 49 balls which is the second fastest T20I century for New Zealand.
Also read: Martin Guptill becomes the leading run-scorer in T20I history
Apart from Guptill, another opener Colin Munro also played a great knock of 76 runs which helped the hosts to put a mammoth total 243/6 on the board at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, Australia began their innings in aggressive mode. It looked more dangerous after New Zealand’s bowlers and fielders massively failed on their jobs.
Left-handed opener D’Arcy Short was looking very strong while skipper David Warner comeback in the form with a brilliant furious half-century.
Also read: Rajasthan Royals bought D'Arcy Short for IPL 2018
Opener Warner completed his half-century in just 20 balls but he was sent back to the pavilion on 59 off just 24 balls. Since then, Short carried on the innings with the good help of other batsmen.
Short scored 76 runs off 44 balls and when he was dismissed Australia was in a very comfortable position to clinch a victory. Also, Glenn Maxwell (31 runs off just 14 balls) and Aaron Finch (36* runs off just 14 balls) made some good contributions to secure a memorable victory for his team.
Australia reached the target (245/5) in 18.5 overs after losing 5 wickets.
Now, watch the Twitter reactions of this memorable match:
New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill became the leading T20I runs-scorer
Martin Guptill becomes leading run scorer in T20I and He surpassed Brendon McCullum…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 16, 2018
On Martin Guptill’s second T20I century
Wow. Epic epic epic 100 from Guptill!!
— Matt Hall-Smith (@MattHallSmith21) February 16, 2018
Most T20I 100s
3 Colin Munro
2 Brendon McCullum
2 Chris Gayle
2 Evin Lewis
2 Rohit Sharma
2 Glenn Maxwell
2 Martin Guptill#NZvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 16, 2018
Watch Mark Chapman’s stunning hit-wicket
https://twitter.com/JothiBasu8692/status/964407693279547394
Guptill remains unsold in 2018 IPL Auction
Guptill unsold in ipl
— Sounder (@itz_sounder) February 16, 2018
Still can't believe Guptill was unsold in IPL Auction #NZvsAUS
— Thilak Ramamurthy (@Thilak_Rama) February 16, 2018
More on Guptill’s knock
Spectacular day for Martin Guptill scoring a flamboyant T20I 💯 and being all time leading run scorer in T20I cricket. #NZvAUS 👌👌
— Saroj Karki (@sarojkarki77) February 16, 2018
Look at the present leading run-scorers in each format of international cricket
https://twitter.com/SachinsLovers/status/964396476557176832
Praising on Short’s match-winning knock
https://twitter.com/phani98495/status/964434696145797121
On Australia’s record T20I run chase
What a Magnificent Target of 244 by NZ And what a Hilarious Chase by AUS (245).
NZ vs AUS T20.— Samir Limar (@BratvaSL) February 16, 2018
What a match #NZvsAUS That was awesome chase by aussies. Great lineup Warner, short, Lynn, Maxwell, Finch. Damn that's a solid team. Congrats aus
— Siril Mathew (@isirilpd) February 16, 2018
Highest successful #T20RunChase by #Aus 245/5 with 7 balls to spare!
Nz lost it with 18W n 2 nb with Wickets!
+ #BenWheeler costing 12 runs of 1 ball at crucial time! #NZvsAUS
Great Batting display by @davidwarner31 #Short @Gmaxi_32 @AaronFinch5— Umanng kolhe (@kolheUmanng) February 16, 2018
World record chase by the Aussies in the history of T20I's … !!!
243 chased within 19 overs … !!!
Absolutely insane … !!!
Take a bow D' Arcy Short and David Warner … !!!
— D’CENT WALLET DEV TECH (@DCENTDEVTECH) February 16, 2018
Aussies smashed it #NZvsAUS
— Loxton (@J0hnjury) February 16, 2018
A T20I classic! Australian Cricket Team pull off the biggest successful chase in T20I history, D'Arcy Short (76) and David Warner (59) leading a thrilling pursuit for a 5 wicket win over the Blackcaps in Auckland! #NZvAUS #NZvsAUS pic.twitter.com/0aDYerello
— Kamran Khan (@kamran767956) February 16, 2018
Fan moment in the match
T20 is going off! @Martyguptill made a second 100 | Chur to the young fulla who just won $50k!!! 💪🏼 #NZvsAUS #T20 #nzcricket #ANZ pic.twitter.com/pDiaYpUC9R
— Hiku_Edwards (@hiku03) February 16, 2018