The BLACKCAPS suffered a 56 run loss to Australia in their first warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Having held Australia to 139 for six, the BLACKCAPS lost early wickets and were unable to recover from their slow start.
Rob Nicol, Martin Guptill and BJ Watling were all dismissed within the first three overs of the run-chase, leaving New Zealand at eight for three.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor worked hard to get their side back on track, but runs were hard to come by and the required run-rate began to grow. In the end the pressure told, with Taylor falling for 22 off 20 balls, while trying to find the boundary.
From there Australia continued to pick up regular wickets and when Williamson went for 17 after 12.4 overs the game was effectively over.
Bracewell put up some resistance at the end, but was left stranded on 10* after 17 overs. The BLACKCAPS finished 83 all-out.
Earlier the New Zealand bowling attack had restricted their neighbours well, but some late big hitting from the Australian lower-order ensured a competitive total would be posted.
Opening batsman David Warner got off to a fast start with 24 off 14, before being caught by Williamson off Vettori’s bowling.
Adam Milne then got amongst the wickets, seeing the end of Michael Hussey (5) and Cameron White (8) in quick succession. The BLACKCAPS continued to get on top and after 11.1 overs had Australia 71 for five.
Glen Maxwell and Matthew Wade went about rebuilding their innings, before looking to find the boundary in the final overs.
With nine balls remaining Maxwell was dismissed for 24, bringing number eight batsmen Dan Christian to the crease. Christian hit a single, a four and six in his unbeaten three ball innings and along with Wade (25*) carried Australia to 139 from their twenty overs.
Two for 27 from four overs saw Milne pick up the BLACKCAPS best figures, while Doug Bracewell also collected two wickets during his four overs for 31 runs.
The BLACKCAPS second warm-up match is against South Africa on Monday.
