Australian bowlers need to step up if they want to mount a comeback in the T20I series against NZ: Kane Richardson

Kane Richardson reckoned that the Australian bowlers need to step up if they want to bounce back in the on-going T20I series against New Zealand. Chasing a massive target of 220, the visitors fell short by just four runs in the second T20I in Dunedin on Thursday. Kane Richardson highlighted that while Jhye Richardson has bowled well, the other bowlers need to be stronger in the remaining three games. Even though Kane Richardson scalped three wickets in the second T20I against the Kiwis, he gave away 43 runs in four overs. The 30-year-old pacer was the most expensive bowler in the first game as he returned with figures of 0-42 from four overs.

New Zealand has taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series with this electrifying victory. Opening batsman Martin Guptill made a spectacular return to form, smashing eight sixes in a 50-ball inning of 97. His excellent performance with the willow lifted New Zealand to a thrilling win over Australia by four runs in the second Twenty20 cricket international.

Martin Guptill breaks Rohit Sharma's record of most number of sixes in T20Is

Guptill has jumped to the top in the elite list of most sixes in T20 Internationals. With his exceptional knock against Australia, Guptill has now smashed 132 sixes. India's Rohit Sharma has 127 sixes. Eoin Morgan (113), Colin Munro (107), and Chris Gayle (105) are the other three batsmen in the elite list. These top five batsmen are the only ones with 100-plus sixes in T20 Internationals. Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum are the next on the list with 97 and 91 sixes, respectively.

Guptill led the hosts to 219-7 as they went on to bat first after losing the toss. New Zealand's total in the second match was the third-biggest score ever tallied against Australia. The series will now resume in Wellington on March 3.

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