Australia’s bowlers sliced through some reckless New Zealand batting on Friday to win the second T20I by 72 runs here and clinch the three-match series.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa knocked over the middle order to finish with 4-34 as the home side were skittled for 102 in 17 overs at Eden Park.
New Zealand lost early wickets and always looked unlikely to match the visitors, who were dismissed for 174 in the final over.
Only Glenn Phillips provided resistance with 42 but New Zealand’s hopes were buried when he was caught at long-on off Zampa in the 14th over.
The Black Caps’ cause wasn’t helped by a thumb injury suffered in the field by Devon Conway, which prevented the opener from batting.
The injury, sustained while he was wicket-keeping, may place Conway in doubt for Sunday’s third match in Auckland.
Earlier, opener Travis Head blazed 45 runs off 22 balls after Australia were sent in but they stumbled through the middle stages in the face of brilliant bowling from pace man Lockie Ferguson.
Ferguson claimed 4-12 from 3.5 overs as Head’s dismissal sparked the loss of five quick wickets after Australia had been 84-1 in the seventh over.
Other notable scores were 26 from March and a late 28 from player of the match Pat Cummins.
Santner, Adam Milne and Ben Sears all took two wickets each for the hosts.
New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd T20I brief scores:
Australia-174 in 1905 overs (T. Head 45; L Ferguson 4-12, B. Sears 2-29) vs New Zealand-102 in 17 overs (G. Phillips 42; A. Zampa 4-34, N. Ellis 2-16). Australia won by 72 runs.