1 Mar 2010

T20 win lights fuse for one day series

6:23 am on 1 March 2010

The New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori says his side's dramatic win in extra time in the final Twenty20 match against Australia gives the Black Caps a running start for the upcoming one-day series.

The 26-thousand plus fans in Christchurch's AMI stadium erupted as the Black Caps outplayed Australia in the "super over" decider with three balls to spare, after the scores had been tied on 214.

It was Australia's first loss in any form of the game this summer.

New Zealand's heros were the opening batsman Brendon McCullum whose 116 was one run short of West Indian Chris Gayle's T20 world record, and the 21 year old pace bowler Tim Southee who pinned down the Australian batsmen in the final over, and bowled a superb "super" over which conceded only six runs.

Game one in the 5-match one day series is on Wednesday in Napier.