T20I

Well, the captains shake their hands after a short chat with the umpires. That's it then. So, from 20 to 18 and eventually 9 overs per side, we just got 2.1 overs of cricket after waiting for 2.30 hours. It was certain, THE MATCH HAS BEEN CALLED OFF! More importantly, Australia have retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, having also claimed victory in the previous series. New Zealand still have one opportunity to level it up, as that will be the best outcome from this series for the hosts. Right then, one final game remains in this series. These two will meet again within 24 hours from now, on Saturday, 4th October, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 6.15 am GMT. Let us all hope that the weather doesn't spoil the party in the third and final T20I. Do join us earlier for the build-up. Till then, cheers!

UPDATE - 8.42 am GMT - HALT! Hello, unwelcomed rain gods! The players are running off the field while the groundsmen are running in with the covers. We are in for yet another delay. There is a strong breeze flowing across, hopefully it will brush the rain away as well. Stay tuned. The live visual shows spectators leaving the ground, they have lost hope for anymore cricket to be seen. We have not though. We do have a few minutes of window left before the cut-off time for a 5-over contest. We will keep you posted.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Had to really hurry there! Ben Sears is into the attack now. Hits the hard length, slanting into the batter. Matthew Short forces it towards the right of mid off and calls Marsh through for a single. Michael Bracewell from mid off runs to his right and releases a quick flat throw towards the bowling end and scores a direct hit, while Short skates through and slides his bat into the crease to get home. Oh, hang on, Bracewell actually strikes the microphone placed behind the stumps at the non-striker's end. A nervous single taken as the ball ricochets towards the mid-wicket region where the backup fielder mops it up.

Outside off, on a good length. Mitchell Marsh swooshes at it and lofts it over extra cover for a couple of runs to end the over. 13 runs and a wicket off Duffy's first.

Bangs one into the pitch, outside off. Mitchell Marsh sees it pass all the way to the keeper.

SIX! That is a clean hit! The first of the evening! Touch fuller from Duffy this time, nibbling away from the batter. Mitchell Marsh plays through the line and with no intentions to keep it down, sails it over the bowler's head for a massive six downtown. Marsh holds the pose as well after completing the shot.

Hard length, on top of middle. Short mistimes it with a flat batted angle. Luckily for him, the ball lands in the safe zone wide of mid off. A single taken.

Matthew Short is the new man in.

OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Duffy provides the first breakthrough for New Zealand! Hits the length hard, angling it into the batter off the pitch. Travis Head creates room by backing away, and plays from the crease and has a huge waft at it. But only manages to slice it off the outside half of the bat. The ball dips in front of Devon Conway at point. Conway dives forward and scoops it cleanly before the grass.Travis Head departs for 5 (3) and Australia are 6/1 after 1.2 overs.

OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Duffy provides the first breakthrough for New Zealand! Hits the length hard, angling it into the batter off the pitch. Travis Head creates room by backing away, and plays from the crease and has a huge waft at it. But only manages to slice it off the outside half of the bat. The ball dips in front of Devon Conway at point. Conway dives forward and scoops it cleanly before the grass.Travis Head departs for 5 (3) and Australia are 6/1 after 1.2 overs.

EDGED AND FOUR! Fortuitous! Swings into the batter, full and on middle and leg. Travis Head swings across the line with all his might, but all he manages is a thick inside edge. The ball shoots past the leg stump and races to the right of the diving Tim Seifert for a boundary at deep fine leg.

Jacob Duffy to share the attack.

A big shout by Tim Seifert for LBW, but not given! Skidding through the surface, on a good length, nipping in from the off stump line. Mitchell Marsh plays from the crease and tries to heave it across, but misses and is rapped on the thigh pad. Probably the height is the factor here. An excellent start by Henry! Just 2 off the over.

Head is off the mark as well! Hard length at 135.1 kph, angling around off. Travis Head stands tall and cuts it over backward point for an easy single.

Marsh and Australia are underway! Back of a length, snaking away from the off pole. Mitchell Marsh tries to smash it through cover but gets no timing whatsoever, and toe ends it to the left of mid off. Michael Bracewell moves to that direction and dives to intercept the ball. They cross.

That in-between length, curving gently away from off. Marsh hangs back and dabs it to backward point with soft hands.