AUSTRALIA has retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after completing a 3-0 series sweep over New Zealand yesterday. The nation’s 100th T20I win was rain affected, with the Auckland skies opening up to cause several delays in what ended up being a 10-over per side match.

With that forecast in mind, Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner opted to send Australia in at the toss and the tourists swung hard as a result. Dashing opener Travis Head top-scored with 33 (30), gifted a pair of reprieves after sloppily being dropped off Ben Sears on 16 and 19 runs.

Matt Short (27 off 11) shone as he was promoted to number three, belting three sixes as many of his teammates freed their shoulders. Australia’s 4-118 total was revised to 126 off 10 overs via the DLS Method, leaving New Zealand a tall order with diminished batting stocks.

In response, Glenn Phillips (40* off 24) again played a relative lone hand as gun BBL products Spencer Johnson (1-10) and Nathan Ellis (0-11) produced miserly two-over spells. Short also chimed in to dismiss opener Will Young and earn Player of the Match honours.

The series proved an ominous statement from the Aussies ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, with established and emerging names alike standing tall. Captain Mitch Marsh was named Player of the Series and looks like being the man to lead this side into the future.

The two sides will next play off in a two-match Test series, starting on February 29 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Australia def. New Zealand by 27 runs (DLS Method)
POTM: Matt Short (Australia)

New Zealand won the toss & elected to bowl.

AUSTRALIA 4-118 (10.4)
Travis Head 33 (30), Matt Short 27 (11), Glenn Maxwell 20 (9)
Josh Clarkson 1-8 (1), Mitch Santner 1-16 (2), Adam Milne 1-20 (2)

Revised DLS target: 126 off 10 overs.

NEW ZEALAND 3-98 (10.0)
Glenn Phillips 40* (24), Mark Chapman 17* (15), Will Young 14 (7)
Spencer Johnson 1-10 (2), Adam Zampa 1-20 (2), Matt Short 1-33 (2)

POTS: Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
SERIES RESULT: Australia 3-0 New Zealand