Live updates: Blackcaps v Australia, Third T20 at Wellington

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Blackcaps 144 Overs: 17.1

Boult (0)

Australia 208/4

Australia win by 65 runs. Click here for match wrap and highlights. 

End of match

18th over - Kane Richardson back for his third over. 

WICKET - Sodhi skies one very high and Richardson takes a easy catch to wrap up the victory for his side. (NZ 144)

Ish Sodhi c & b KW Richardson 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

17th over - Agar to bowl his final over. 

Chapan gets down on leg and sweeps Agar into the grandstand for six, what a shot.

WICKET - Chapman goes for another big sweep shot. it catches the top edge and flies to Zampa at short third-man and that's five wickets for Agar. 

Mark Chapman c Zampa b Agar 18 (10b 1x4 1x6) SR: 180

Ish Sodhi is the next man in.

Jamieson drives Agar down the ground for a single.

Sodhi's off the mark straight away with a single down the ground. 

Jamieson gives himself some room and carves Agar over the top of cover for four.

WICKET - Agar has six. Jamieson goes for the ramp and it crashes into his pads and he's been given but Jamieson has reviewed. Ball tracking shows the ball hitting the stumps with umpires call and Jamieson has to go. 

Kyle Jamieson lbw b Agar 11 (9b 2x4 0x6) SR: 122.22

Trent Boult is the last man in. (NZ 144/9)

16th over - Jhye Richardson to continue with his third over. 

Dropped. Jamieson drives Richardson high and down the ground. Finch on the full reaches out it looks likes he's taken it but he's dropped it and it rolls away for four. 

After a dot ball, Jamieson drives Richardson for a single down the ground. 

Chapman punches Rchardson down the ground back over the bowlers head for four.

Chapman goes straight back down the ground over Richardson's head and will pick up two more runs.

The last ball of the over sees Chapman flick Richardson into the leg side for a single. (NZ 132/7)  

15th over - Agar to continue.

WICKET - Agar has his fourth and it becomes mission impossible now. Lobs this loopy length ball outisde off, Southee's feet are down leg side, his bat swishing well outside off and it ends up chipping it to Maxwell at long-off.

Tim Southee c Maxwell b Agar 5 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 83.33

Kyle Jamieson is the next man in.

Champan flashes one high out to deep point and Meredith puts down a tough chance diving forward and he comes back for two runs. 

Champan turns Agar into the leg side for a single. 

The last ball of the over sees Jamieson drive down the ground for a single. (NZ 120/7)

14th over - Meredith back into the attack for his final over. 

After a dot ball to start the over, Southee tries to smash Meredith over midwicket, he doesn't get all of it and it lands safley near the midwicket boundary. 

Southee skews the next ball through to Wade and Champan scampers through for a single. 

After a dot ball, Champan gets a thickish outside and it flies on the bounce down to third-man. 

The last ball of the over sees, Southee pull Meredith out to deep square leg for a square leg. (NZ 116/6)

13th over - Ashton Agar back into the attack. 

WIKCKET - Big wicket for Australia as the dangerous Philipps has to go. Phillips to try smash Agar back over his head, he doesn't get all of it and Kane Richardson takes a simple catch. 

Glenn Phillips c KW Richardson b Agar 13 (10b 0x4 1x6) SR: 130

Jummy Neesham is the next man in. 

WICKET - Two wickets in three balls as Agar picks up the big, big wicket of Conway. Conway tries to sweep Agar over deep midwicket but holds out on the boundary as Stoinis takes the easy catch. It's starting to look very tough for the Blackcaps. 

Devon Conway c Stoinis b Agar 38 (27b 5x4 1x6) SR: 140.74

Mark Chapman is the next man. He gets off the mark straight away with a single out to deep midwicket.

WICKET - Another one goes for the Blackcap as Agar picks up his third for the over. A full yorker from Agar and all he can do is get an edge a Wade takes a good catch.  

James Neesham c †Wade b Agar 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Tim Southee is the next man in.He's off the mark straight away with a single to square leg. What an over from Agar two singles and three wickets.  (NZ 111/6)

12th over - Kane Richardson back into the attack for his second over. 

After a dot ball, Conway gets a thick outside edge that is too fine for third man and runs away for four. 

The next ball sees Conway work Richardson into the leg side for a single. 

Phillips turns Richardson into the leg side and they'll scamper through for two more runs. 

Th next ball sees great running between the two batsman to turn one into two after Phillips drive Richardson down the ground. 

The last ball of the over, sees Phillips drive Richardson down the ground for a single. (NZ 109/3)

11th over - Riley Meredith back into the attack. 

Dropped. Conway dances down the wicket and smashes at Stoinis at cover who put down a very tough chance and the batsman come through for a single. 

Phillips almost chops on to his own stumps as he gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single.

After a dot ball, Conway plays with soft hands to third man and will come through for an easy single. 

The last ball of the over sees a big shout for LBW but the umpire has given it not out. Aaron Finch has asked for a review. Ball tracking shows the ball going over the top so Phillips survives. (NZ 99/3)

10th over - Glenn Maxwell comes into the attack.

Welcome into the attack Maxwell. Conway sweeps Maxwell over deep midwicket all the for six. What a shot. 

Maxwell drifts into the pads and Conway guides him down the ground for a single. 

Maxwell drops short and Phillips takes full toll and smashes him over square leg for six. 

Phillips cuts Maxwell away through the covers for a single. 

The last ball of the voer sees Conway turn Maxwell to mdwicket for a single. (NZ 96/3)

Ninth over - Adam Zampa back into the attack for his second over. 

Conway turns Zampa into the leg side for a single to start the over. 

Guptill sweeps Zampa down the ground for another single to rotate the strike. 

Zampa falls short but Conway doesn't cash in and toes the ball down to long-on for a single. 

WICKET - Guptill looks to go over cover but it goes to straight and it flies down to wide long-off and Agar takes the simple catch. Big wicket for Australia as Guptill was looking dangerous. 

Martin Guptill c Agar b Zampa 43 (28b 2x4 3x6) SR: 153.57

Glenn Phillips is the next man in.

Conway drives Zampa through the covers for a single. (NZ 81/3) 

 

Eighth over - A change of bowling for Australia with Marcus Stoinis into the attack. 

After two dot balls to start the over, Guptill mis-times a drive down the ground and it falls just short of long-on and they'll pick up two runs. 

The next ball sees Guptill works Stoinis down to fine leg for two more runs. 

Guptill keeps the runs coming with a single out to deep midwicket off his hips. 

The last ball of the over sees Conway flick Stoinis for a single down the ground. (NZ 77/2)

Seventh over - Ashton Agar comes into the attack for his first over. 

After a dot ball, Conway crucnhes Agar through the covers for four.

After two dot balls, Conway leans back and smashes Agar through backward point for another boundary. 

Four more. Conway smashes Agar through the covers for four more to end the over. (NZ 71/2) 

Sixth over - Kane Richardson to bowl the final over of the powerplay. 

Richardson starts with a wide down the legside. 

Guptil turns Richardson down to fine leg off his pads for a single. 

Conway tries to cut Richardson away but just bunts it into the ground and the batsman will come through for a single. 

Richardson goes for a full yorker and Guptill digs it out and flicks him out to midwicket for a single. 

Conway dances down the wicket and guides Richardson out to third man for a single. 

The next ball sees Guptill drive dead straight to pick up another single. 

The last ball of the over sees Conway drive Richardson for a single to end the powerplay. They're 12 runs ahead of Australia at the same stage but the loss of one more wicket. (NZ 59/2)

Fifth over - Meredith back into the attack for his second over.

After a dot ball to start the over, Guptil works Meredith off his hips for a single. 

WICKET - Williamson plays across the line as he tries to work Meredith down to square leg. It crashes into the Blackcaps captains pads and the umpires finger goes up straight away. 

Kane Williamson lbw b Meredith 9 (6b 0x4 1x6) SR: 150

Devon Conway is the next man in. 

After a dot ball, Conway drives Meredith over the top of cover on the up and away for four. What a shot to get off the mark. (NZ 52/2)

Fourth over - Richardson back into the attack for his second over. 

Williamson guides Richardson down to third man for a single to start the over. 

Guptil is in form and here to play tonight. Richardson goes short and outisde off and Guptill carves him away through point for six.

The next ball sees Guptill work Richardon down to fine leg for a two runs. 

A full toss from Richardson and Guptill takes full toll and smashes him through the covers for four runs. 

The last ball of the over sees Guptill flick Richardson out to midwicket for a single. Good over for the Blackcaps with 14 off it. (NZ 47/1)

Third over - Leg spinner Adam Zampa is into the attack. 

The first ball sees Williamson punch Zampa down the ground for a single. 

Guptil keeps scoreboard ticking over with a single down the ground. 

What a shot from the New Zealand skipper. Williamson dances down the pitch and just punches Zampa back over his head all the way for six. 

The next ball sees Williamson turn Zampa into the leg side and they take a quick single.

The last ball of the over sees Guptil smash Zampa down the ground for four. Williamson has done so well to get out of the way of it as he ducks for cover. (NZ 33/1) 

Second over - Riley Meredith to bowl his first over in international cricket. 

After a dot ball to start his carerr, Meredith crashes into Seifert pads and there is a big shout for LBW but it's given not out and the batsman scamper through for six.

Welcome to international cricket Meredith. The big fast bowler goes full and Guptill smashes him back over his head for six. 

What a response from Meredith as he cracks the 150kmph mark as Guptil punches him down the ground for a single. 

Seifer smashes Meredith through midwicket for four. 

WICKET - Seifert tries to smash Meredith over midwicket but only gets a top edge. It goes very high and Stoinis takes a great catch a Seifert has to go. 

Tim Seifert c Stoinis b Meredith 4 (4b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100 

Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson is the next man in. (NZ 20/1)

First over - The players are back on the park. Guptil and Seifert make their way out for the Blackcaps and Jhye Richardson has ball in hand.

After a dot ball to start the innings, Guptil threads the field at point to pick up two runs to open his account. 

After three dot balls, Richardson goes short and Guptil smashes him over midwicket for six into the grandstands. (NZ 8/0)

Innings break

The Blackcaps bowlers took a hammering thanks to a masterclass inning from Glenn Maxwell and Australian captain Aaron Finch. That took advantage of some poor bowling from the Blackcaps as they smashed 21 fours and eight sixes. 

It was a welcome return to form for Finch who smashed 69 off 44 balls to guide his side to a massive total. The Blackcaps will need a fast start if they want to chase down this massive total. 

20th over - Jamieson to bowl the final over.

A great yorker first up from Jamieson sees Marsh skew him out to a cover for a single.

Dropped. Stoinis skews one high off the bat and Conway sprinting in off the cover boundary diving forward can't take a tough chance.

The next ball sees Marsh punch Jamieson to cover for a single. 

A lucky break for Stoinis who gets an outisde edge and it flies down to third man for four. 

The last ball of the innings sees a perfect yorker from Jamieson and Stoinis can only keep it out and scamper through for a single. (AUS 208/4)

19th over - Boult to bowl his final over. 

Stoinis starts with a single out to point off the opening bowl of the over. 

After two dot balls, Marsh skews Boult down to deep fine leg and they'll pick up three runs. 

The next ball sees Stoinis guide Boult to point for a single. 

The last ball of the over sees Marsh smash Boult down the ground for a single. What an over from Boult just six off it. (AUS 200/4)

18th over - Southee to bowl his final over. 

The first ball sees Stoinis guide Southee down to third man to get Maxwell back on strike. 

Southee goes for the slower ball bouncer and Maxwell guides him over the top for four. 

The next ball is a yorker skews Southee out to deep midwicket for two more runs. 

What a shot from Maxwell. Southee goes full and he smashes him into the grand stand for six. 

WICKET - A tame end to a destructive innings. Maxwell tries to ramp Southee but it catches the pad a floats to Seifert wo takes a simple catch.  

Glenn Maxwell c †Seifert b Southee 70 (31b 8x4 5x6) SR: 225.81

Mitch Marsh is the next man in. (AUS 194/4)

17th over - Jimmy Neesham is back into the attack for his final ovr with figures of 0/32.

Maxwell carves Neesham through backward point for four. 

The runs keep flying for Maxwell as he smashes Neesham over midwicket for six into the grand stand and has broken one of the yellow seats. 

Another boundary for Maxwell who is in the mood. Neesham goes full and Maxwell smashes back down the ground for four.

Four more. A full toss from Neesham and Maxwell smashes him back over his head for four more. 

Maxwell is on fire and brings up his ninth T20 50 what an innings from the 'Big show'. Neesham goes full and he smashes Neesham through point for four. 

Wow what an over from Maxwell. Neesham goes short and Maxwell pulls him all the way for six. Six boundaries from the over and 28 runs. (AUS 181/3)

16th over - Ish Sodhi is back into the attack. 

Finch swats Sodhi out to deep midwicket for a single. 

After a dot ball, Maxwell switch-hits Sodhi over the top of backward point and it flies all the way for six. 

Maxwell goes for another switch-hit but this time doesn't make contact and the batsman come through a leg bye. 

WICKET - Big wicket for the Blackcaps. Finch goes for another switch-hit but doesn't get all of it. It flies straight to Jamieson who takes a simple catch at third man. What an innings for the Australian captain who produced his best innings in a long time. 

Aaron Finch c Jamieson b Sodhi 69 (44b 8x4 2x6) SR: 156.82

Marcus Stoinis is the next man. 

15th over - Southee back into the attack for his third over. 

Maxwell switch hits Southee through backward point for four. What a shot from the crafty Australian batsman. 

Maxwell is getting crazy with these shots. Southee goes short and Maxwell reverse ramps him over the keeper for four what a shot. 

After a dot ball, Southee falls down the leg side and it'll be a wide to rbing up the 50-partnership for Maxwell and Finch. 

The last ball of the over sees Southee go with a slowler ball bouncer and Maxwell pulls him into the stands for six. (AUS 145/2)

14th over - Kane Williamson has gone back to his strike bowler in Trent Boult as he looks for a wicket. 

Boult goes short and at the body and Finch just ramps him over backward point for four. 

Back-to-back boundaries for Finch. Boult goes short and he gets pulled away for four, great shot. 

After a dot ball Finch drops Boult at his feet and the batsman scamper through for a single. That single brings up Finch highest score in international T20 cricket since January 2020.

Maxwell screws Boult into the leg side for a single.

The last ball of the over sees Finch guide Boult between the two fielders at point and away for four. (AUS 130/2)

13th over - Neesham returns to the bowling crease for his third over. 

Finch drives Neesham down the ground for a single down for a single. 

The next ball sees Maxwell mis-time Neeham down the ground for another single.

After three dot balls, the last ball of the over sees Maxwell get an inside edge and it slices down to fine leg for four. 

What an over from Neesham who stalls the Australian momentum slightly just seven off it. (AUS 116/2) 

12th over - Sodhi to continue with his third over.

Finch cuts Sodhi out to deep cover for a single to start the over. 

The next ball sees Maxwell go for the reverse sweep but he misses it and it fools Seifert and the batsman come through for a bye. 

Finch keeps the scoring going with a single to cover. 

A full toss from Sodhi and it's to high so it'll be a free hit and Maxwell guides him down to long on for a single. 

The free hit sees Finch go for the reverse sweep and he gets all of it and it sails all the way for six to bring up his half century. The Australian captain is back, what a knock his 13th in his career. 

The next ball sees Finch cut Sodhi away through backward point for two runs. 

The last ball of the over sees Finch swat Sodhi down the ground for a single. (AUS 109/2)

11th over - Jamieson continues with his third over.

Maxwell is off the mark straight away as he guides Jameison down to third man for a single. 

The next ball sees Finch cut Jamieson down to third man for a single. 

After a dot ball, Maxwell guides Jamieson through midwicket for a single. 

Another ball fall safely for Australia. Finch drives Jamieson but he's early on it and it falls just short of Boult at mid-on. He mis-fields and allows Australia to come through for two runs. 

The last ball of the over sees Finch flick down to fine leg for a single. (AUS 95/2)

10th over - Sodhi continues with his third over.

Finch comes down the pitch and cuts Sodhi out to cover for a single. 

The next ball sees Philippe drive Sodhi down the ground for a single.

Finch keeps the runs with a slog sweep out to deep midwicket for a single.

Phillipe gets another let off. He tries to smash Sodhi down the ground and it goes straight up but again it lands safely. 

WICKET - Philippe chances finally come to an end. He dances down the wicket and tries to drive Sodhi for six. He doesn't get all of it and Guptil takes a low running catch on the slide. Big wicket for the Blackcaps to break that partnership that was looking very dangerous. 

Josh Philippe c Guptill b Sodhi 43 (27b 3x4 1x6) SR: 159.26

Glenn Maxell is the next man in. (AUS 89/2)

 

Ninth over - Kyle Jamieson comes back into the attack. 

Jamieson starts full and at the stumps and Finch drives him through midwicket and it races away for four. 

How about that, what a shot. That was crunched by Finch who dances down the wicket and drives Jamieson over extra-cover for four.  

Finch tries to go big again and gets a bit of luck. He slogs it across the line and he inside edges it and it just misses his leg stump and he'll get two runs. 

The next ball sees Finch turn Jamieson into the leg stump for a single. 

Philippe gets another let off. Jamieson goes short and Philippe pulls him away. It slices off the bat but lands safely in front of deep midwicket.

The last ball of the over, sees Philippe whip Jamieson in the air over midwicket, lands just out of reach of long-on coming around. (AUS 84/1)

Eighth over - Ish Sodhi is into the attack.

Finch drives Sodhi down the ground for a single. 

The next ball sees Philippe inside edge Sodhi down to fine leg for a single.

Finch keeps the scoreboard ticking over with a single through the covers.

Sodhi offers Philippe width and he takes advantage with a single out to deep point. 

Finch guides Sodhi through backward point and the batsman will pick up two runs. 

The last ball of the over sees Finch guide Sodhi out through the covers for a single. (AUS 69/1)

Seventh over - Neesham to continue. 

Philippe cuts Neesham out to deep point for a single to start the over. 

After a dot ball, Finch cuts Neesham out to point and the third umpire has informed the umpire it's a no ball so it'll be a free hit. 

Philippe pulls Neesham away down to fine leg for a two runs off the free hit. 

A shortish ball from Neesham and Philippe has smashed him through backward point and its flown like a rocket.

Philippe gives himself some room and drives him through the covers for four. 

A lucky moment for Philippe who french cuts Neesham down to fine leg for  single.(AUS 62/1)

Sixth over - Another bowling change for the Blackcaps with Kyle Jamieson bowling the last over of the powerplay.

Philippe drives Jamieson on the up through the covers and the batsman will come back for three runs. 

Finch is here to play tonight. Jamieson pitches it up looking for swing and Finch punches him back over his head for four. 

After a dot ball, Finch drops Jamieson at his feet and the Australian batsman scamper through for a tight single. 

Philippe looks to be aggressive but it goes straight up. Seifert and Boult who is coming in from third man look at each other and it lands safely. Big let off for Australia. 

That brings to an end the powerplay. Australia are going at 7.83 runs per over with five fours and two sixes. (AUS 47/1)

Fifth over - A change of bowling for the Blackcaps with Jimmy Neesham into the attack. 

He starts full and Finch launches him back over his head all the way for six. Finch looks settled and dangerous tonight. 

Finches launches Neesham back down the ground. It goes very high and it lands just short of the rope and trickles for four. 

Neesham responds well with three dots balls. 10 runs from Neesham's first over. (AUS 38/1)

Fourth over - Boult to continue. 

Boult starts short and Philippe pulls him away over midwicket but doesn't get all of it and he'll get two runs. 

Boult goes full but on the pads and Philippe launches it high over square leg and into the stands for six. 

Philippe drives Boult in the air down the ground but doesn't get all of it and will pick up two runs.

Boult continues to go full and swing the ball back into Philippe but the Aussie batsman flicks him through wide mid-on for four more. Great over for Australia 14 off it. (AUS 28/1) 

Third over - Southee to continue to Philippe.

His first ball is a peach who plays an misses. Southee is on fire with the ball swinging and making life difficult for the batsman. Kane Williamson has put three slips in with so much swing around. 

After two dot balls, Philippe drives Southee to wide mid-off for a single. 

Finch uses his feet and punches Southee down the wicket and it races away for four. 

The next ball sees Finch again walk at Southee and just punch him to mid-off for a quick single.

The last ball of the over sees Philippe guide Southee down to fine leg for a single. (AUS 13/1) 

Second over - Trent Boult to bowl the second over to Wade.

Boult over pitches and gives Wade some width and he crunches him through the covers for four.

What a reply from Boult. He goes a little shorter and it swings away late and Wade plays and misses. 

WICKET - Boult has his man. Boutl draws Wade forward onto the drive and it catches the edge and it flies to Guptil at first slip who takes a smart low catch. 

Matthew Wade c Guptill b Boult 5 (6b 1x4 0x6) SR: 83.33

Josh Philippe comes in a No.3.  

Philippe drives in front of his body and it flies just past cover and he'll get a single to get off the mark. What a start for the Blackcaps senior bowlers. They are on fire at an empty Sky Stadium. (AUS 7/1)  

First over - The players are on the field and captain Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade have made their way out for the Aussies and Tim Southee has ball in hand. 

Southee starts with a wide down the leg side to Wade.

After two dots, Wade guides Southee down to Kyle Jamieson at third man and they'll pick up one run to bring the under-fire Australian captain Aaron Finch on strike. 

Big shout for LBW on Aaron Finch and it's given not out with the ball slidding down the leg slide, but Kane Williamson will review. Ball tracking shows its crashing into leg stump but it's umpires call so Finch surives by the skin of his teeth. 

Another big shout for LBW on Finch but it's going down the leg side and Williamson deciedes not to review. What a first over from Southee (AUS 2/0)

*****

6:37pm - Australian captain Aaron Finch said if he had won the toss he would've bowled as well but happy to put a score on the board first.

The team news for Australia sees them make one change with Riley Meredith coming in for his T20 international debut in place of Daniel Sams. 

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Philippe, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Riley Meredith and Adam Zampa

6:33pm - The Blackcaps have won the toss and elected to bowl first. 

Team news for the Blackcaps with Mark Chapman coming in for Mitch Santner who is out with sickness. 

Blackcaps: Martin Guptil, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

4:45pm - All-rounder Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of tonight's match after waking up this morning with a head-cold.

He is self-isolating as a precautionary measure while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. 

Wellington based Adam Milne will join the team for today's match at Sky Stadium as squad cover.

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Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the third T20 international between the Blackcaps and Australia at Wellington's Sky Stadium.

With the Government moving Auckland into COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country into Alert Level 2, all three matches will be played behind closed doors with no spectators. 

The home side have started the series in red-hot form, with two impressive victories over the visitors. 

The Blackcaps dismantled Australia in Christchurch to open the series, before a nail-biting victory in Dunedin, where the batsmen stole the show. 

The Kiwis will look to wrap up the series at the first time of asking and improve their record this summer to 11 out of 12 in all formats, with their only loss coming at the hands of Pakistan in the final T20 of that series. 

The visitors have had six days to prepare for this sudden-death encounter, with most of the attention on under-fire skipper Aaron Finch, who is one of the world's best players on his day, but has looked out of touch in New Zealand. 

The Australian media has questioned his place in the World Cup squad, so he'll be out to silence his critics, just like New Zealand opener Martin Guptil did in Dunedin.

TAB odds: Blackcaps $1.78 Australia $1.95

Aussies get their way with NZ T20 series relocation

Australia's T20 cricketers enjoyed Wellington's sunny weather on Monday and they'll be hoping for more of it over the next week, with the final three games against the Blackcaps to be held at Sky Stadium.

And while the New Zealand squad are disappointed they won't be heading to Tauranga and Auckland, they are pleased that New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia agreed to continue the tour.

Reports surfaced on Sunday that the Aussies considered returning home, after Auckland was plunged into COVID-19 Alert Level 3, but cooler heads have prevailed and the teams will remain in the capital for the next seven days.

New NZ batting star Devon Conway is relieved the series can still be decided over five games. 

Martin Guptill in action against Australia
Martin Guptill in action against Australia. Photo credit: Photosport

"It's a little bit disappointing that we can't go to Auckland or the Mount, but at the same time, we are grateful that we can still play these final games," Conway says. 

A statement by NZC says "logistical complications from the transfer of Friday's doubleheader from Auckland to Wellington" mean Sunday's game at Bay Oval is no longer feasible.

But Newshub understands the touring Aussies played a significant role in the change.

Sources have confirmed the team strongly indicated they were no longer willing to travel around New Zealand in light of the latest COVID-19  developments.

"The right decision has been made," says all-rounder Ashton Agar.

Players are especially keen to avoid any unnecessary risk of exposure that could jeopardise their lucrative Indian Premier League contract commitments, which commence next month.

Australia will now remain in Wellington for the rest of the tour, before heading home on a charter flight next Monday. 

"Assessing the situation with what's happening in Auckland, we are confident both NZC and Cricket Australia have made sure they look after the players' mental and physical well-being," Agar says. 

The series - as well as the England v White Ferns T20 series - will no conclude behind closed doors in Wellington.