Worcestershire Rapids 2016 NatWest T20 Blast overseas player Mitchell Santner made another key contribution for New Zealand as they defeated Australia by eight runs in a ICC World T20 Super 10 Group Two match in Dharamsala today.
Santner had returned New Zealand's best ever figures by a spinner in T20Is with 4-11 in the opening win over India.
And he followed that up with the key wickets of former Worcestershire T20 player Steve Smith and big-hitting Dave Warner as the Black Caps defended their total of 142-8.
Ex New Road paceman Mitchell McClenaghan was also a Kiwi hero with two wickets in the penultimate over and overall figures of 3-17 from three overs.
Australia reached 50-1 in the initial six over power-play but then Santner put them on the back foot.
A beautifully flighted delivery accounted for Smith (6) who was lured out of his ground and stumped by Luke Ronchi.
Then Warner (6) went for a big blow and holed out to Martin Guptill at deep mid wicket.
Santner was struck for two sixes by Mitchell Marsh – the first of them a massive 101 metres – but still finished with 2-30 from his four overs.
Then McClenaghan, who had a spell at Worcestershire during the 2014 season,dismissed Marsh and Ashton Agar in the 19th over and Australia closed on 134-9.
