The Black Caps have been beaten by Australia by three wickets in their T20 World Cup warm-up match in Abu Dhabi.
The Black Caps have been beaten by Australia in their T20 World Cup warm-up match. Photo: Photosport.NZwww.photosport.NZ© Photosport Ltd 2021
After being asked to bat first New Zealand made a 158 for seven.
Openers Martin Guptill made 30 and Daryl Mitchell 33 with the Black Caps getting through to 114 for one.
Captain Kane Williamson top scored with 37 and all-rounder James Neesham made 31.
Pace bowler Kane Richardson took three wickets for Australia.
In reply Australia lost opener David Warner off the very first ball of their innings when he was caught off the bowling of Tim Southee.
However they recovered from the golden duck to be 40 for 1 after four overs and while they lost regular wickets, including Steve Smith for 35 and Marcus Stonis for 28 in the middle of their innings, they timed their chase well, eventually finishing on 159 for 7.
Wicket-keeper Josh Inglis hit back to back boundaries in the final over off Kyle Jamieson to seal the win with one ball to spare.
Mitchell Santner was the pick of the Black Caps bowlers, taking three wickets for 22 runs off four overs.
Trent Boult finished with two for 13 from three overs.
New Zealand's next warm-up game is against England on Wednesday night.
Their opening World Cup game is against Pakistan next week.
Meanwhile India beat England by seven wickets in their warmup game in Dubai.
England scored 188 for five with Jonny Bairstow top scoring with 49.
In reply Indian openers KL Rahul made 51 and Ishan Kishan 70 as they reached their target with an over to spare.
