New Zealand beat Australia by eight runs

McClenaghan revels under pressure to seal win for the Kiwis

NZ 142/8 (20.0 Ovs) AUS 134/9 (20.0 Ovs) New Zealand won by 8 runs PLAYER OF THE MATCH Mitchell McClenaghan

New Zealand, so far in the ICC World Twenty20 2016, have ticked the right boxes and are sitting pretty on top of the Super 10 Group 2 with two wins in two. A lot of credit has to go to Kane Williamson and the think-tank. In the first game, they left out Tim Southee and Trent Boult to play three spinners.

In the second game against Australia, they played only two spinners in an abrasive Dharamsala surface but instead of bringing in either Boult or Southee, they went in with Mitchell McClenaghan, another move that worked tremendously well.

The New Zealand innings made it pretty clear that Australia had to make use of the new ball if they wanted to chase down 142. McClenaghan (3 for 17 in three overs) started well, giving away just 15 runs in his first two overs and picked up the wicket of Shane Watson.

However, he came into his own at the very end. Brought into bowl in the 18th over, with Australia needing 22. McClenaghan had made up his mind that he's going to bang it in and offer no pace at all. He brought out the cutters, the other variations to ensure Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner had to bring in the power.

The match was tilting towards New Zealand but the pacer ensured he did his bit, more than that in fact, to make his team favourite to seal a win. He picked up both Marsh and Ashton Agar in that over to ensure New Zealand sealed an eight-run win, their first over Australia after eight Twenty20 Internationals.

The periods he bowled - in the Powerplay and at the death - in were crucial in New Zealand's chances. It needed some flair if New Zealand wanted to topple Australia. McClenaghan certainly did have that and that's why he emerged as our Style icon of the match.

World Twenty20: New Zealand defend 142-run total against Australia, go top of groupNew Zealand are now top of their group with two wins in two games.

New Delhi: New Zealand pulled off another stunning win in the ICC World Twenty20, beating Australia by eight runs in Dharamsala.

ICC World Twenty20 2016: Australia Vs New Zealand

Batting first, the Kiwis posted a tricky total of 142 on the board. Considering they were 58 for no loss after the power play, Steve Smith's men did a commendable job to restrict the New Zealand batsmen.

Martin Guptill top scored for BlackCaps with a 39-run knock. Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner grabbed two wickets each for the bowling side.
Usman Khawaja looked in supreme touch at the top of the Aussie innings, scoring 38 off 27 deliveries.
However, star players Shane Watson, Steve Smith and David Warner got out in quick succession to give New Zealand the edge.
Despite the stand between Maxwell and Marsh threatening to take the game away, Williamson's side stuck to their plans and were rewarded,
Man-of-the-match Mitchell McClenaghan bowled the 19th over of the match and sealed the fate of the Aussies.
The left-arm pacer conceded just 3 runs and took two wickets in that over to virtually end Australia's hopes of a win.
New Zealand are now top of their group with two wins in two games.