Australia opener David Warner’s rough patch with the bat continued after he was dismissed for a golden duck against New Zealand in the warm-up game in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Warner was caught by Martin Guptill off Tim Southee during Australia’s 159-run chase.
Warner has had a tough time in the recent past after he was dropped from the Sunrisers Hyderabad playing XI just after two matches in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League. The left-hander only managed to score two runs in two matches in the second phase.
The Aaron Finch-led side clinched a win by 3 wickets in the final over after Josh Inglis scored a couple of boundaries to see his side home. Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 35 off 30 deliveries.
Earlier, in the day, New Zealand began the proceedings in a decent manner after Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell put up 44 for the first wicket before Guptill was sent back in the hut for 30 off 20 deliveries by Adam Zampa.
Later, captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell helped the Blackcaps reach 93-run mark on the board in 10 overs. Mitchell then went back to the dug out and was replaced by Devon Conway.
But the Kiwis lost wickets in quick succession and were reduced to 133/4 to eventually get restricted to 158/7 in 20 overs. Kane Richardson was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 3/24 in 4 overs.
Australia will begin the campaign against South Africa in Abu Dhabi on October 23 while New Zealand will take on Pakistan in Sharjah on October 26.