Lynn primed for 'special' final knock

Twenty20 dynamo Chris Lynn believes New Zealand may be "deflated" after Australia's record-breaking run-chase on Friday and has backed himself to pull out a "special" innings in the trans-Tasman tri-series final.

After conceding their highest-ever T20 total, Australia defied history and continued the six-hitting bonanza by reeling in the Black Caps' mammoth 244 with more than over to spare in a breathtaking clash at Eden Park on Friday.

David Warner's new-look T20 outfit are undefeated from their four matches and will await the result of the tri-series' last group-stage clash between New Zealand and England on Sunday to see who they'll play in Wednesday's final.

The decider will again be played at Auckland's pocket-sized Eden Park with Lynn suggesting the Black Caps, should they qualify, will have their last encounter with Australia fresh in their minds.

"It's hopefully taken a little bit of gas out of the Kiwi line-up," Lynn said on Sunday.

"They might be a little bit deflated about us chasing down that total.

"But we know they're so skilful and classy that they're going to bounce back. We're going to have to be on our game … if we play them in the final."

"It's Twenty20 – it takes one match-winning performance to win the game so that can come from anyone. You look at the line-ups – anyone can win the game with the bat or the ball."

England, who Lynn suggested may have "tired legs" after a long tour of Australia and now New Zealand, will need to win by about 20 runs or with two or three overs to spare (the exact margins will depend on how high-scoring the match is) to jump the Kiwis on net run-rate.

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New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, who became the leading all-time international T20 run-scorer after peeling off a 52-ball 105, admitted Friday's defeat to Australia had been "disheartening".

This tri-series has seen Lynn string together his longest run of games in national colours, contributing with knocks of 44 off 33 balls against New Zealand in Sydney and 31 off 19 against England in Hobart.

While both were important innings, the explosive right-hander is itching to put together the type of breathtaking innings he's treated KFC Big Bash audiences to time and again.

"I haven't exactly taken off in this series yet but the boys are playing shots around me," Lynn said.

"I'm still getting starts, I'm not hitting the ball badly or anything but I think I can really pull something special on Wednesday night.

"I'm just happy playing in the green and gold. I say it time after time that it's such a great environment to be around and I want to be a part of it moving forward. There's plenty of opportunities there."

Lynn returned to play in this summer's KFC BBL ahead of schedule after undergoing shoulder surgery over the off-season and battled hamstring and calf niggles during the tournament.

He conceded his selection in Australia's Gillette one-day international squad may have been premature after suffering another setback that ruled him of the 50-over campaign last month.

As the Brisbane Heat did during the BBL, Australia have stashed Lynn away in low-traffic areas of the field given he's still hesitant to dive and remains "six to 12 months away" from throwing with his preferred left arm. 

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old is gaining more confidence in his physical capabilities with each match he gets through unscathed.

"The body is feeling, touch wood, the best it has in a long time," Lynn said. "That's a good sign.

"These last four games that I've played, my confidence has gone through the roof with my physical preparation and intensity out on the field.

"The start of the series was a bit daunting for me, taking off for running and diving, whether I can dive or not. Now every game I'm getting less apprehensive and more confident."

Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series

First T20I Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets. Scorecard

Second T20I Australia beat England by five wickets. Scorecard

Third T20I Australia beat England by seven wickets. Scorecard

Fourth T20I New Zealand beat England by 12 runs. Scorecard

Fifth T20I Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets. Scorecard

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21

Australia squad: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler.