Touching charity twist in destructive Glenn Maxwell innings

Glenn Maxwell was at his destructive best in Australia's do-or-die third Twenty20 against New Zealand in Wellington on Wednesday.

The Aussie batsman top-scored with a swashbuckling 70 runs off 31 balls to help the visitors set 4-208 against the Kiwis.

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Maxwell's knock included 5 sixes and 4 fours as the big-hitting batsman belted the New Zealand bowlers around the ground.

One of his enormous maximums was hit with so much ferocity that it put a hole in one of the empty seats in Wellington's 'Cake Tin' stands.

The chief executive of SKY Stadium Shane Harmon shared a photo of the destroyed seat on social media, with Maxwell's shot obliterating one half of the plastic chair.

In a superb twist, Harmon then indicated that he would be putting the seat up for auction, with proceeds to go towards a women's charity in New Zealand.

He even cheekily asked if Maxwell could sign it for good measure.

Maxwell's superb knock included a 28-run haul off one Jimmy Neesham over.

Also back in the runs for the Aussies was captain Aaron Finch, who was fortunate to survive a golden duck LBW.

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The under-pressure skipper was given not out by umpire Chris Gaffaney, despite replays showing the ball hitting the stumps.

Finch capitalised from the 'umpire's call' verdict from DRS to belt a much-needed 69 runs to get the Aussies off to a solid start.

The Aussie skipper combined with Josh Philippe (43) for an 86-run stand after Matthew Wade fell cheaply for the visitors.

Finch notched his half-century with a stunning switch-hit off Ish Sodhi.

The 34-year-old holed out from the spinner shortly after, but with his run of poor knocks firmly in the rear-view mirror.

With a platform laid for a decent total, Maxwell went to work.

The big-hitting Victorian had just five off nine but accelerated sharply, clubbing 65 off his next 20 balls.

Maxwell fell two balls after being hit on the foot, leaving Marcus Stoinis (9 n.o) and Mitch Marsh (6 n.o) to play out the innings.

Kyle Jamieson's final over prevented Australia from notching Sky Stadium's highest T20 international score but the Kiwis needed to pull off the venue's biggest chase for success.

Martin Guptill top-scored for the home side with 43 runs and Devon Conway added 38 but that's about as good as it got for the Kiwis.

Ashton Agar starred with the ball for Australia, finishing with the eye-catching figures of 6-30 as the Kiwis were all out for 144.

The 64-run win keeps Australia's hopes alive in the series, with the fourth match to be played in Wellington on Friday.

with AAP

with AAP

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