DHARAMSALA, India — Finally, after days of rain and concerns over any prospect of Super 10s action in Dharamsala, the Trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand basked in the sunshine of the HPCA Stadium.
The Kiwis eventually came out on top by 8 runs in an enthralling contest that went to the wire.
Officials on the ground talked about prayers to the Hindu sky goddess Surupa and in the home of the Dalai Lama it seemed fitting that such spirituality was rewarded.
At last the ground awoke with action on the pitch, the dreary grey skies of the past week relenting and giving way to their less intimidating blue sibling.
The media centre became more vibrant, security doubled and people milled around outside the ground with anticipation and excitement finally breaking out in what has become a forlorn setting.
While the crowd wasn’t the full house that early signs suggested, there was certainly an energy from the stands that had been lacking so far.
And as Martin Guptil launched Ashton Agar for three sixes off the slow left-armer’s first over, the Super 10s stage had arrived with a bang in keen reflection of its surrounds.
This match was meant to serve as a pre-cursor for India vs Pakistan and it was disappointing that those who had planned to take in that match didn’t pick up a ticket for this one in greater number but a 70% or so full stadium isn’t something to moan too much about.
Those that did turn up were treated to a superb game of cricket on a belting wicket that showed little sign of having been under cover and battered by rain for days prior.
It was still slow but the bounce was true, the early goings comfortable for batsmen before spin took hold.
A huge amount of credit must go to the groundstaff, who Guptil and Kane Williamson would have been itching to thank early on.
The New Zealand pair put on 61 for the first wicket before Guptil eventually fell for 39 and the team in a perfect position to kick on and post a mammoth total.
Australia hauled themselves back into it as Glenn Maxwell accounted for both Williamson and Corey Anderson as spin began to have its first say on matters.
New Zealand failed to capitalise on their fast start and it was another sign of wastefulness from a batting lineup dripping in talent.
In the 13 overs that followed Guptil’s dismissal, the Kiwis added just 81 runs as the air was let out of their innings and they finished on what looked like a below par 142-8.
“I thought 143 was a very gettable score. It’s just our batting wasn’t good enough in the middle overs,” said Australia captain Steve Smith.
“To restrict them to 143 was a very good effort. We’re still confident, we’ve obviously got to turn it around very quickly but I’m confident in the group that we can do that.”
As Usman Khawaja – who opened in the surprising absence of Aaron Finch – caressed the ball to the boundary regularly and without alarm, that total looked less and less adequate.
But as with New Zealand’s innings, Australia began to become unstuck as the Kiwis introduced the spinners that dismantled India first time around.
Australia were mirroring the Kiwi innings as they first took apart the new ball and were then drained of momentum after the powerplay.
A moment of madness saw Khawaja run-out for 38 in a headless piece of running with David Warner that left them 62-3 after 9 overs and behind the running when they should have been streaks ahead.
Always nice to beat Australia away from home. Bowlers awesome again. 2 from 2. #WT20
— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) March 18, 2016
Warner followed seven balls later and despite a brief repair job by Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, Australia were under the cosh against the Kiwi spinners.
Marsh and Agar kept their side in it with 15 off the 17th over but the wickets tumbled and the Aussies fell short by 8 runs.
“We’re growing as a team as our culture is going to new levels,” said Mitchell McGlenaghan who took 3-17 after being named in the starting XI just moments before the toss.
“We’re confident in each other, we’re confident in our own games. We just know we have a squad and the depth and just trust each other.”
Thrilling, fun and tense, it was just what the doctored ordered in Dharamsala to ease the overwhelming feeling of loss and cold.
