Australia inflicted a series whitewash on New Zealand with a win in the third and final T20I in Auckland on Sunday (Feb 25). In a rain-hit match at Eden Park, Australia beat the hosts by 27 runs after the Kiwis failed to achieve the revised target inside ten overs while chasing.

Matthew Short won the Player of the Match award for his quick-fire 27 off 11 balls.

Australia batted first in the final T20I, with Travis Head opening with Steve Smith. Adam Milne dismissed Smith early, but Short and Head had Australia on the front foot with a brilliant start. After adding 49 runs for the second wicket, Ben Sears got rid of Short before Josh Clarkson had the big fish Glenn Maxwell out on 20.

Travis Head was the last wicket to fall for the visitors, as Australia scored 118 for four in 10.4 overs, with multiple rain delays hampering their momentum throughout.

Kiwis falter again

In Devon Conway's absence, who is out with a thumb injury, New Zealand openers tried going hard from the word go but lost Will Young early inside the second over. Keeper-batter Tim Seifert departed next as Spencer Johnson picked his first wicket of the match.

Finn Allen fell soon after, derailing New Zealand's chances of registering a consolation win.