Australia beat New Zealand to win T20I series, claim No. 1 ranking

Australia captain David Warner with the T20 Tri-Series trophy yesterday. Pic/AFP

Australia cruised to a 19-run victory in a rain-affected T20 tri-series final with New Zealand yesterday to claim the World No. 1 ranking in the shortest form of the game for the first time. After electing to bat, New Zealand struggled to 150-9.

Australia's bowlers avenged that pasting as they tore through New Zealand's middle order, led by spinner Ashton Agar's career-best T20 figures of three for 27. Ross Taylor's 43 of 38 balls was the highlight of the New Zealand batting.

The manner in which the victory came for Australia was anti-climatic. Persistent rain resulted Australia winning under the D/L system. It means Australia leapfrog Pakistan to become the top-rated T20 team, the first time they have held the No. 1 spot since rankings were introduced in 2011.

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