T20 World Cup: How NZ put Aussie in a spin

Mitchell Santner of New Zealand celebrates after taking the wicket of Steve Smith of Australia. Photo / Getty Images.

The new generation of Black Caps spin is again earning praise after toppling Australia by eight runs at the World Twenty20 in Dharamsala.

Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi took a combined three wickets from their eight overs, conceding just 44 runs in a spell that choked the Australians.

Steve Smith's side did well to restrict NZ to a total of 8-142 following a quick-fire 39 from opener Martin Guptill, who powered his team to 0-58 after six overs.

Australia's response was initially convincing, especially when Usman Khawaja was at the crease. But momentum shifted in a collapse of 4-22 and they finished 9-134 in the eight-run defeat.

Radio Sport's Matt Brown talks to Grant Elliott:

Santner, man of the match in NZ's tournament-opening win over title favourites India, again turned the tide.

"As we saw against India, a total of around 140 is difficult to get here especially when the ball is turning as much as it does on these pitches," Black Caps batsmen Grant Elliott told Radio Sport's Matt Brown on the Hash Brown breakfast.

"They batted well for the first five overs, as did we, but you can see that the ball is probably easier to strike when it's new here and as it gets older it gets tougher and tougher.

"In the end our spinners just showed what sort of quality bowlers they are. They really pegged them back during those middle stages.

Sodhi conceded just 16 runs off his four overs while picking up one wicket.

"I think the way he (Sodhi) started against India was just a boost of confidence because he hasn't played many T20 games. The pitches here do suit his bowling but he's bowling an attacking line and length and looking to get wickets.

New Zealand have virtually assured themselves of a semi-final berth having defeated India in their first match, and only need to beat qualifiers Bangladesh to book their place in the knock-out stage.

Australia on the other hand can hardly afford to drop another game - and that will entail beating sub-continental kings India, Pakistan as well as Bangladesh in Bangalore on Monday.

According to captain Steve Smith, it's not panic stations. "We're still confident," said Smith. "We've obviously got to turn it around very quickly, with our next game at Bangalore. But I'm confident in the group that we've got, that we can do it. Hopefully we come out and win in a couple of days' time.

New Zealand's next match is against Pakistan on Wednesday morning.