Mitchell McClenaghan came close to losing an eye when a high five with Kane Williamson went wrong in the Black Caps' eight-run win over Australia at the World T20.

The near poke in the eye came in the penultimate over as a fired-up McClenaghan claimed the wicket of Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

In the heat of the jubilation as players rushed to celebrate with McClenaghan, New Zealand captain Williamson mis-cued his high five, striking the surly fast bowler in the face.

ADNAN ABIDI/ REUTERS Black Caps allrounder Grant Elliott shows he can hit the mark in a high five with fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan.

Williamson appeared on TV footage to utter an apology.

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McClenaghan has just returned to play on the international stage after suffering a facial injury in the Black Caps' summer home series against Pakistan.

In the first ODI of the series in January, McClenaghan was struck in the face by the ball while batting. The delivery, bowled by Anwar Ali, left McClenaghan with a fractured eye socket. He described the injury at the time as a "few broken bones".

The injury kept McClenaghan out of international cricket for a month, forcing him out of the squad for Australia's tour in February.

ICC Man of the match Mitchell McClenaghan talks about that winning feeling at the Black Caps, and doing it without Brendon McCullum.

He returned for the Island of Origin T20 match between the North Island and South Island before joining with the Black Caps for the T20 World Cup.

McClenaghan sat out the first World T20 match against India, earning a recall to the team in match two against Australia in Dharamsala. He learned of his selection in the playing XI when he went to the toilet soon before the toss, seeing his name on a whiteboard.

"It was quite late doors. But that's the nature of our team − everyone is ready to go, and everyone knows their role in the side," McClenaghan said.



The Black Caps are undefeated at the World T20 after two matches; beating host India and world No 1 Australia. Their next match is against Pakistan on Wednesday (NZT).