Australia have levelled the five-match T20 international series against New Zealand at 2-2 with a commanding 50-run win in Wellington.
Matt Wade Photo: Photosport
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia set the Black Caps a modest target of 157 runs, but they never came close tailender Kyle Jamieson top-scoring with 30 off 18 balls.
The Black Caps started positively when Mitch Santner, back after missing the third T20 through illness, struck early to remove Matthew Wade for 14.
Ish Sodhi snared his first wicket soon after, Tim Southee backtracking to dismiss Josh Philippe for 13 with a tricky swirling catch.
With the halfway mark approaching, Glenn Maxwell chipped Trent Boult straight to Martin Guptill at extra cover to leave Australia 70-3 with 10 overs remaining.
The visitors struggled to build partnerships, only skipper Aaron Finch providing any innings of note with 79 from 55 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
The Australians did finish their innings with a flurry, Finch and Jhye Richardson belting 42 off the last 21 balls.
Sodhi continued his excellent form in the series with 3-32 from his four overs, while Trent Boult picked up 2-27.
The Black Caps were dispatched in 18.5 overs, only three players making double figures.
Kane Richardson led the bowling with 3-19, with Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar all grabbing a brace apiece.
The Black Caps coach Gary Stead said the bowler and spin friendly pitch did catch them off guard.
"It was a tough wicket and Aaron Finch's last over swung it more in their favour, probably. We were surprised [at the pitch], no doubt about it, but we also pride ourselves on having to adapt, and I don't think we adapted very well with the bat.
"We needed to fire a few more shots at them early on and try and get on the front foot.
"The disappointing thing for me is I'm not sure we really fired a shot at them." Stead said
The fifth and final match is in Wellington on Sunday evening and crowds will be allowed with the city moving to Covid alert level 1 on Sunday morning.