NZ vs AUS, Australia in New Zealand, 3 T20I Series, 2024: New Zealand vs Australia, 1st T20I Squad Updates and Match Summary

nd Innings Australia

Right then, that is it from this absolute nail-biting contest where Australia takes an early lead in the series but only just, they will look to seal it in the next game while New Zealand will be hoping to fight back and level it. The 2nd T20I will be played on 23rd February, Friday at 11.40 am IST (6.10 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Mitchell Marsh is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant all-round performance.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand posted the highest T20I total at this ground courtesy of a couple of brilliant half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. They were also helped with some quick-fire cameos from Finn Allen at the start along with Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips at the death. Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh chipped in with one wicket each for Australia, but except for the skipper, every other bowler was quite expensive. While chasing, it was the skipper who played the anchor, but they could not have done it without that special cameo from Tim David at the death.

New Zealand, on the other hand, knew that defending this one would not be easy at all. Southee started well conceding just 4 runs in the first over, but after that, the Aussies picked up the pace and started scoring freely. Adam Milne got them the first breakthrough inside the Powerplay while Mitchell Santner after getting hit for two sixes removed the dangerous David Warner in the same over. In the middle overs, they took a hammering from the visitors, but in between all of that Lockie Ferguson got rid of Maxi to settle some nerves for them. Santner was expensive but in his last over conceded just three runs and picked up a wicket while Ferguson followed it up with an 8-run over to shift the momentum back towards them. However, Milne went for 19 in the penultimate over and it was all on the shoulders of Southee. Tim Southee put in an excellent effort to defend 15 runs, but the hosts faced defeat on the very last delivery.

Australia needed a quick start in this big run chase, but Travis Head struggled to find the timing right. However, he still managed to score 24 off just 15 before holding out. David Warner was looking decent and he along with the skipper made sure to utilise the Powerplay and added 40 runs together, but the former just went for a big shot too many and lost his wicket. The 'Big Show' couldn't hang around for long but he did play a quick-fire cameos to keep the Aussies in the chase. Mitchell Marsh continued with his aggressive approach that did not let the asking rate go over the limit and notched up a brilliant half-century as well. He also found good support from Josh Inglis and they built up a partnership of 71 runs to take them closer to the total. The skipper remained unbeaten on 72 off just 44 balls but took a back seat at the death as it was all about Tim David. He smashed 31 runs off just 10 balls, they needed a 4 in the last ball, and he managed to hit that to take the Aussies home.

Tim David, you beauty! A fantastic finish to an extraordinary game of cricket. It all went to the 240th ball of the match, but Australia have just managed to get over the line here and take a 1-0 lead. This is only the first T20I of the series, and if this is anything to go by, we are surely in for some thrilling encounters. It is heartbreak for the Kiwis, but they gave their all on the field and it was just not meant to be for them.

over

20 | 16 Runs | HH: 216/4

19.6

Tim Southee to Tim David, FOUR! TIM DAVID, TAKE A BOW! Australia win by 6 wickets and it took the last delivery to decide the winner of this nail-biter. Pin-drop silence in the crowd. The Kiwis are in absolute disarray and why not? They were sniffing a win but David has just robbed it from them in the very last delivery. Not a bad delivery at all from Southee, as he bowls it fuller, and on the middle stump line, attempting to cramp him for room, but Tim David clears his front foot and smacks it hard past the gap between the long on and deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. Glenn Phillips slides to the left but cannot fetch it before the ropes. Australia win a thrilling match. What an initiation to this Trans-Tasman series. A good game of cricket overall but Australia ended up on the winning side courtesy of Tim David's 31 off just 10 rocks in the backend. Australia take the lead by 1-0 in the series.

19.5

Tim Southee to Tim David, Excellent comeback this from Southee! Using all his experience! A precise yorker on off, Tim David drives it though covers and scampers back for the double. 4 needed from the final ball now. Can Tim David finish off in style for Straya?

19.4

Tim Southee to Tim David, SIX! Just over the ropes and now the Aussies are just a hit away! Low full toss on offer down leg, Tim David bends a bit low and flicks it over deep square leg for a maximum. 6 needed of the last 2 balls.

19.3

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Misses out the connection again! Full toss on the pads, Mitchell Marsh misses to pull and it runs a leg bye to the on side. 12 needed off the last 3 balls now.

19.2

Tim Southee to Tim David, A gutsy delivery from Southee. A yorker on the middle, Tim David outside edges and squeezes it to the off side and takes a single.

19.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, An adamant appeal for LBW! But turned down. Southee fires a precise yorker on the leg stump line, Marsh misses to connect and it thuds his back boot. New Zealand take a review for LBW. The UltraEdge comes up and shows that no bat is involved. Ball Tracker confirms it is pitching outside leg. A desperate review though. They do cross for a leg bye.

Is that out? New Zealand goes upstairs for a LBW decision, but it looks like a desperate review. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking clearly indicates it is going down the legs side. Marsh survives.

19.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Down leg and on a fuller length, Marsh misses out on the flick but it is a Wide anyways. 15 runs from the last 6 balls now.

Tim Southee (3-0-39-0) to bowl the last over. Can he defend 15 runs here?

over

19 | 19 Runs | HH: 200/4

18.6

Adam Milne to Tim David, SIX! Clears the fence again! What a finish to the over. On the fullish length and around the middle and off channel, Tim David again swings it hard and clears the deep mid-wicket for a maximum. 16 needed now off the final over.

18.5

Adam Milne to Tim David, SIX! Oh, my word! That's been hammered by David! He is on a mission here. Milne offers a half-volley on off, Tim David clears his front foot and bangs it over long on for a maximum. That flew 98 meters away. The biggest of the night.

18.4

Adam Milne to Tim David, FOUR! A pressure-releasing boundary! Edgy but they will take it. Too full and outside off, even away from the tramline, Tim David throws his bat at it and squeezes it with a thickish outside edge which guns down to deep third man for a boundary.

18.3

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, On the back of a length around the off stump, Mitchell Marsh pulls straight to deep mid-wicket for just a single. 21 the required rate now.

18.2

Adam Milne to Tim David, Swing and a miss but a bonus Bye. Full, wide of off, David swings and misses. Also, the keeper fails to collect it cleanly and it trickles behind. They cross for a Bye.

18.1

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, An attempted yorker on off, Mitchell Marsh squeezes it through cover-point for a single. Allen does well to just keep it to a single with a slide to his left.

Adam Milne (3-0-35-1) to bowl the penultimate over. Australia needs 35 runs in the last two overs.

over

18 | 8 Runs | HH: 181/4

17.6

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, On the back of a length and angles into the batter, Mitchell Marsh goes for a pull but he is too early on the shot and mistimes it over the bowler's head. Just a single then. What a terrific spell from Lockie Ferguson he ends up with (4-0-23-1).

17.5

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Just inside the tramline. Excellent response from Lockie Ferguson! Wide of off and full, Mitchell Marsh thinks it's a wide and lets it go but it's well inside the tramlne.

17.4

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Important six and this has been smoked away! Short and on the top of off, Mitchell Marsh clears the shorter boundary with a pull shot over deep square leg.

17.3

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Excellent stuff! Lockie Ferguson nails the yorker this time, on middle, Mitchell Marsh only manages to dig it out back to the bowler.

17.2

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Another crucial dot! Mitchell Marsh would have been in trouble if there had been a direct hit. Ferguson bowls it on the stumps and on a length, Mitchell Marsh attempts to smoke it over mid-wicket but ends up wearing on his body. He shoots off to sneak a single but gets a send-back from Tim David as the ball is too close to run. Lockie Ferguson kicks the ball to the stumps but has a shy.

17.1

Lockie Ferguson to Tim David, On the back of a length and angling in from off, Tim David sways away and guides it to deep backward point for a single.

Lockie Ferguson (3-0-15-1) to finish his spell now.

over

17 | 3 Runs | HH: 173/4

16.6

Mitchell Santner to Tim David, What a phenomenal over from Santner. Just three from it and a crucial, crucial wicket. Length ball just outside off, David uppishly drives it to long off for a single to end the over. 43 runs required of the last 18 deliveries. This is going down to the wire. Buckle up, folks.

Tim David is the next man in.

16.5

Mitchell Santner to Josh Inglis, OUT! TAKEN! Rachin Ravindra has been electrifying in the field tonight! What a sensational catch! Santner drops a looped up delivery around the off and middle channel, Josh Inglis looks to slog it over the deep mid-wicket region but does not get enough timing on that one. The ball balloons up in the night sky and Rachin Ravindra settles himself underneath the ball at deep mid-wicket and takes a brilliant catch to dismiss the dangerous Josh Inglis.

16.4

Mitchell Santner to Josh Inglis, Slower and spinning away from outside off, Josh Inglis drives it straight to cover.

16.3

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Full and outside off, Marsh gets an inside edge to backward square leg for a single.

16.2

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, A crucial dot. Swing and a miss! Just around off from around the wicket on a length, Mitchell Marsh goes to pull but misses out on connecting it. That went past the off stump by just a few centimeters.

16.1

Mitchell Santner to Josh Inglis, Just around off and on a dragged length, Josh Inglis looks to smoke it over the fence on the leg side but mistimes it to deep square leg for a single.

over

16 | 13 Runs | HH: 170/3

15.6

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Does not get the timing right on this one. Outside off and short, Mitchell Marsh looks to clear the fence again but mishits it down the ground to the left of mid on and runs a brace to end the over. 46 runs needed off the last 24 balls. It's pretty neck and neck here at the moment as the worms are on top of one another after the 16th over.

15.5

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! The Bison looks unstoppable! Six written all over it. This is the 25 the six combined both innings. Flighted delivery on off and full, Mitchell Marsh sits on his knee and drags the slog sweep over cow corner for a huge six.

15.4

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, Full, outside off, Josh Inglis prods ahead and drives it straight to Mitchell Santner at cover who stops it diving to his left. Only a single then.

15.3

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, Slower and wide outside off on a length, Josh Inglis looks to smack it hard but misses again.

15.3

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, WIDE! Oh dear, too many extras! Wide of off and short, Josh Inglis lets it go. Wide. With that, the 50-run partnership comes up between these two batters.

15.2

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, Straighter and just around off, Josh Inglis looks to go over the off side but misses.

15.1

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, A sensational chase from Rachin Ravindra in the deep. Slower and wide of off, Mitchell Marsh slashes hard but splices it past short third man for three runs. Rachin Ravindra saves a run with the timely dive and keeps the ball before the fence.

Ish Sodhi (3-0-30-0) to bowl out here.

over

15 | 12 Runs | HH: 157/3

14.6

Tim Southee to Josh Inglis, Southee ends the over with a dot ball! He once again gives it no pace at all, short of a length and outside off, Josh Inglis tries to cut it away but fails to connect. Australia needs 59 runs in the last 5 overs!

14.5

Tim Southee to Josh Inglis, Nice change of pace! Tim Southee takes pace off, lands this on a hard length and on middle, Josh Inglis backs away but is early through his shot and misses.

14.4

Tim Southee to Josh Inglis, SIX! BOOM! Josh Inglis connects this time alright! Tim Southee goes for the short one again, on middle, this one sits up nicely for the batter, Josh Inglis gets on top of it and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

14.3

Tim Southee to Josh Inglis, In the air...safe yet again! This is banged into the pitch and around middle, Josh Inglis tries to pull it away but gets a top edge that flies behind the keeper, Devon Conway runs backward but the ball splits third man, fine leg and keeper, and lands safely in the middle. Two runs taken.

14.2

Tim Southee to Josh Inglis, Tim Southee lands this on a good length and angling into leg, Josh Inglis tries to heave it to the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball goes nowhere.

14.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Tim Southee nails the yorker this time, on middle, Mitchell Marsh digs it out down the pitch, Southee gets a hand but parries it towards long off. A single is taken.

14.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Three wides in a row now! Tim Southee loses his line and bowls this way outside off again, Mitchell Marsh lets it go to the keeper.

14.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Touch fuller and well outside off again, Mitchell Marsh tries to smack it over extra covers but misses. The umpire calls it a wide. This is a really close call.

14.1

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Tim Southee lands this on a good length but way outside off, Mitchell Marsh takes a couple of steps forward but leaves it alone. Wided.

A bit of a halt in the proceedings as Mitchell Marsh called to exchange his gloves. He selects a pair and goes back to the crease. Also, it will be Tim Southee (2-0-26-0) to bowl now.

over

14 | 4 Runs | HH: 145/3

13.6

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, FIFTY FOR MARSH! A powerful half-century from the skipper, but he knows the job is not done yet. This is flighted, full and outside off, Mitchell Marsh forces it towards long off for one.

13.5

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Slower through the air, outside off, Mitchell Marsh leaves it alone thinking it will be a wide but no signal from the umpire.

13.4

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Quicker, short and on off, Mitchell Marsh punches it straight to short covers.

13.3

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, Floated, full and on off, Josh Inglis goes inside out and lofts it towards sweeper covers for another run.

13.2

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Tossed up, full and on middle, Mitchell Marsh drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

13.1

Ish Sodhi to Josh Inglis, A googly, full and on middle, Josh Inglis swipes it through mid-wicket for a single.

Ish Sodhi (2-0-25-0) is back into the attack replacing Mitchell Santner.

over

13 | 18 Runs | HH: 141/3

12.6

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, SIX MORE! 18 runs off the over! Adam Milne goes full and well outside off, Mitchell Marsh somehow manages to reach it and carves it away, he times it so well that it goes over the deep point fence for another maximum.

12.5

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, DROPPED AND SIX! Adam Milne bangs this short and on middle, Mitchell Marsh tries to pull but mistimes it off the upper half of the bat, the ball goes flat and in the air towards deep square leg, Glenn Phillips gets behind the line of it, but instead of grabbing it tries to parry it back inside, but only manages to deflect ot over the fence for a biggie.

12.4

Adam Milne to Josh Inglis, DROPPED! A fine effort though! This is pitched up and around off, Josh Inglis lifts it aerially wide of mid off, Tim Southee dives to his left, gets both hands on it but just spills it out. They cross. Southee is not happy with himself.

12.3

Adam Milne to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Nicely played! Adam Milne serves this one full and on middle, Josh Inglis stays back in his crease and lofts it wide of mid on for a boundary.

12.2

Adam Milne to Josh Inglis, BEATEN! Adam Milne lands this on a hard length and on off, shaping in, Josh Inglis tries to guide it away but gets beaten on the inside edge to the keeper.

12.1

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, Back of a length and around off, Mitchell Marsh punches it through covers for a single.

over

12 | 10 Runs | HH: 123/3

11.6

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Quicker one, full and on off, Mitchell Marsh drills it through covers for one. Australia 93 runs in 48 balls now.

11.5

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Fires this one full and outside off, keeps low too, Mitchell Marsh stays back to steer it away but misses.

11.4

Mitchell Santner to Josh Inglis, Another short delivery around off, Josh Inglis punches it through cover-point for one.

11.3

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter, full and on middle, angling in, Mitchell Marsh stays back to drive but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg for a run.

11.2

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Just over! Mitchell Santner drags his length back now, on middle, Mitchell Marsh rocks back and heaves it towards the deep mid-wicket fence, Mark Chapman leaps up but it bursts through his hands over the fence for a biggie.

11.1

Mitchell Santner to Josh Inglis, Slower through the air, short and on off, Josh Inglis moves back and punches it through covers for a single.

Mitchell Santner is back into the attack.

over

11 | 3 Runs | HH: 113/3

10.6

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Short and outside off, Mitchell Marsh slashes at it but fails to connect.

10.5

Lockie Ferguson to Josh Inglis, Lockie Ferguson bangs this into the pitch and on the body of the batter, Josh Inglis clips it through square leg for a run.

10.4

Lockie Ferguson to Josh Inglis, Short of a length and around off, Josh Inglis stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

10.4

Lockie Ferguson to Josh Inglis, Back of a length but angling down the leg side, Josh Inglis misses his flick. Wided.

Josh Inglis is in at number 5.

10.3

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Lockie Ferguson strikes! A massive wicket for New Zealand as they see the back of the dangerous Glenn Maxwell. This one is on a good length and on off, nips back in sharply, Glenn Maxwell gets stuck in his crease and tries to push it away, but misses as the ball brushes against his pads and rattles the stumps. The Drinks break once again brings a wicket for the fielding side and Australia lose their third now. Glenn Maxwell departs after a quick-fire 25.

10.2

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Short of a length and on middle, Mitchell Marsh this time connects with his pull towards deep square leg for a single.

10.1

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Lockie Ferguson bangs in a sharp bouncer now, on middle, Mitchell Marsh goes for the pull but misses it.

Drinks! At the halfway mark, nothing really separates these two sides. Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are going nicely here and they have just started to change gears now. The Aussies will hope that this pair can take this game deep. New Zealand will be hoping to pick up a few wickets to stop the run flow here. An exciting second half of the chase it coming up.

over

10 | 10 Runs | HH: 110/2

9.6

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! He will punish every short ball thrown at him! Poor conclusion from Sodhi after a decent over. Just short and a wrong'un on offer which turns back in from off, Glenn Maxwell detects the googly and rocks back before pulling it over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a six. 10 runs from it.

9.5

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, Oh...this one keeps low on the bounce. Outstanding comeback from Sodhi. This one grips on a fuller length outside off, Glenn Maxwell gets deceived by the low bounce and misses to connect the sweep.

9.4

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Wide of off on a short length, Mitchell Marsh cuts it well through point for a single.

9.3

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Flighted wrong'un on offer on a tad short length, Mitchell Marsh gets beaten on the inside edge trying to whack it over the bowler.

9.3

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Oh dear, they cannot afford too many extras. Slower and outside off, the umpire signals for a Wide.

9.2

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, Slower and outside off on a length, Glenn Maxwell cuts it somehow past the cover-point gap for just one.

9.2

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! Maxi has made them think too much! Too wide of off. Wide given.

9.1

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, Flipper outside off on a length, Glenn Maxwell shuffles way across off to ramp it weirdly and wears it on his pads.

over

9 | 16 Runs | HH: 100/2

8.6

Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell, Sluggish delivery on off and short in length, Glenn Maxwell guides it to the off side and sneaks a single. Also, brings up 100 for Australia.

8.5

Mitchell Santner to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! A gift from Santner and Maxwell says thank you! Full toss on the off stump line, Glenn Maxwell simply lofts it over Santner for a boundary down the ground. No chance for the fielder running from long on to stop it.

8.4

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Low full toss on offer on the middle, Mitchell Marsh drives it to long on along the ground for a single.

8.3

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Full and on off, driven to the covers with no real timing on it.

8.2

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! No mercy whatsoever. Offers too much of width on a length, Mitchell Marsh throws his at it and places it in the gap at deep point for a boundary.

8.1

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! This is TONKED! Too slow and too short on off, Mitchell Marsh rocks back and clears the deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

over

8 | 15 Runs | HH: 84/2

7.6

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! Sodhi Overcompensates and pays the price! Short and down leg, Glenn Maxwell helps it with the pull and deposits it in the crowd clearing the deep square leg fence.

7.5

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, Sodhi bowls it wide outside off on a fuller length after seeing Maxwell readying himself for another reverse sweep. He gets no real connection and hits it to widish short third man for a brace.

7.4

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! Maxwell won't stay still for long. Sodhi bowls a bit wide of off on a length, Glenn Maxwell employs his famous reverse sweep and hits it over the backward point region for a four.

7.3

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Slides it into the stump line on a fuller length, Mitchell Marsh steers it along the grass to long on for a single.

7.2

Ish Sodhi to Glenn Maxwell, Slower and outside off on a tad fuller length, Glenn Maxwell cuts it past cover-point and jogs a single.

7.1

Ish Sodhi to Mitchell Marsh, Full and on the stumps, Mitchell Marsh runs it to deep square leg for a single.

'The Big Show', Glenn Maxwell comes out to the middle now. Also, Ish Sodhi replaces Lockie Ferguson.

over

7 | 13 Runs | HH: 69/2

6.6

Mitchell Santner to David Warner, OUT! TAKEN! A big, big blow for Australia and the Kiwi skipper makes a solid comeback in the over. Santner drops a flighted delivery on off and fuller in length, David Warner sits on his knee and again attempts to clear the fence for a maximum, but ends it hitting with the toe-end of the bat with no real timing on it. The ball spoons up in the air and carries straight to Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket. Santner has the last laugh and the crowd sends off Warner with a roar.

6.5

Mitchell Santner to David Warner, Flat and on off, David Warner digs it out to the bowler.

6.4

Mitchell Santner to David Warner, Slow and short, inviting Warner to repeat and make a mistake, but he improvises it to the off side.

6.3

Mitchell Santner to David Warner, SIX! Same result. It's not a good night for the turners it seems like! Flighted short-pitched delivery on off, David Warner rocks back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for another biggie.

6.2

Mitchell Santner to David Warner, SIX! Warner takes on the charge. Drops it full and on off, David Warner sits on his knee and slogs it over cow corner for a biggie.

6.1

Mitchell Santner to Mitchell Marsh, Just short. Around the wicket on a fuller length, Mitchell Marsh mistimes the drive trying to overhit it in front of the cover. Single taken.

New Zealand going with spin now as Mitchell Santner comes into the attack now.

over

6 | 5 Runs | HH: 56/1

5.6

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, A dot to end the over. 52/1 in the Powerplay for Australia. Lockie Ferguson serves a low full toss, on off, David Warner pushes it straight to extra covers.

5.5

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, In the air...but safe! Rachin Ravindra just lost it in the lights. But a top effort. Ferguson bangs in short and across off, David Warner miscues his pull behind mid-wicket. Rachin Ravindra runs backward keeping his eyes on the ball but shells it without getting any fingertips on it diving to his front. Two runs taken.

5.4

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, Just on top of off on a hard length, David Warner flat-bats it along the ground behind mid off for a brace.

5.3

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, At 150 clicks on the nagging length across off, David Warner rides on the bounce and finds the fielder at point.

5.2

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, Steams in and follows the batter and bowls it fuller and wide of off, David Warner shuffles wide across off but misses to connect the drive, as the ball slants across his outside edge.

5.1

Lockie Ferguson to Mitchell Marsh, Angles in down leg on the pads on the length, Mitchell Marsh goes to flick but wears on the pads and it trickles to short fine. They cross for a leg bye.

Lockie Ferguson replaces Adam Milne.

over

5 | 22 Runs | HH: 51/1

4.6

Tim Southee to David Warner, SIX MORE! 22 runs off the over! Tim Southee lands this short and on middle, takes pace off, David Warner has all the time in the world to rock back and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for another maximum. 50 up for Australia!

4.5

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, Back of a length and on leg, Mitchell Marsh works it through square leg for one.

4.4

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! BANG! Oh...wow this is a big one! Tim Southee tries to target the pads, on middle, shaping away, Mitchell Marsh picks it up, and uses the flick of the wrists to whip it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

4.3

Tim Southee to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Nice shot! Tim Southee serves this a bit fuller and around off, Mitchell Marsh takes a couple of steps forward, throws his hands at it and slices it over covers for a boundary.

4.2

Tim Southee to David Warner, On a length and on middle, slower too, David Warner clips it towards square leg for a single.

4.1

Tim Southee to David Warner, FOUR! A bit lucky for Warner! Tim Southee bangs this short and around middle, David Warner goes for the pull shot but only manages to glove it, the ball goes well over the keeper's head and to the fence for a boundary.

Tim Southee (1-0-4-0) to bowl now as he replaces Lockie Ferguson.

over

4 | 8 Runs | HH: 29/1

3.6

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, Short of a length and outside off, Mitchell Marsh leaves it alone.

3.5

Adam Milne to Mitchell Marsh, A huge shout for LBW, but turned down! Milne looks confident and Tim Southee also convinces Mitchell Santner to go for the review. This one is pitched up around middle, swinging in sharply, Mitchell Marsh tries to work it away but misses getting hit on the pads. It looks like going down the leg side. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows it is missing leg. New Zealand lose a review!

Mitchell Marsh the skipper is in at number 3.

3.4

Adam Milne to Travis Head, OUT! TAKEN! An excellent running catch from Tim Southee! Travis Head swings his way back to the hut now as Adam Milne draws first blood. This is full and around off, Travis Head steps across to slog it across the line but gets it from the toe-end of the bat, the ball goes high in the air behind mid on, Tim Southee runs backward, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fine catch diving forward. Australia lose their first wicket!

3.3

Adam Milne to Travis Head, FOUR! Not a bad delivery, but a fine shot! Adam Milne lands this on a good length and just around off, jags back in sharply, Travis Head gets hurried, loses his bottom hand again, but manages to get enough bat on it to guide it past point for another boundary.

3.2

Adam Milne to Travis Head, Full again and well outside off, angling away again, Travis Head loses his bottom hand trying to swipe at that, and misses.

3.1

Adam Milne to Travis Head, FOUR! Up and over! Adam Milne serves this full and angling away from the left-hander, Travis Head goes down and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary.

over

3 | 8 Runs | HH: 21/0

2.6

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, On a length and around off, David Warner steers it towards point and sends his partner back.

2.5

Lockie Ferguson to Travis Head, Goes fuller this time, on leg, follows the batter well, Travis Head gets cramped and nudges it towards mid-wicket for just one.

2.4

Lockie Ferguson to Travis Head, SIX! BANG! First one for Australia! Lockie Ferguson bangs this short again and on middle, Travis Head does well to get on top of the bounce and pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Finally, he gets one from the middle of the bat.

2.3

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, Good bowling! Lockie Ferguson bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, and takes off sharply, David Warner gets surprised, takes his eyes off it but manages to fend it down towards square leg for a single.

2.2

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, Lockie Ferguson sees the batter back away and lands this short of a length, well outside off, David Warner tries to reach for it but fails to do so. He looks at the umpire but no signal is given.

2.1

Lockie Ferguson to David Warner, Lockie Ferguson starts with a pitched-up delivery, on off, David Warner drills it straight to mid off.

Lockie Ferguson to operate now and he replaces Tim Southee.

over

2 | 9 Runs | HH: 13/0

1.6

Adam Milne to Travis Head, FOUR! A streaky one! Adam Milne continues with his fuller length, on the middle, angling away, Travis Head tries to push it away but gets an outside edge that flies past the short third man for a boundary.

1.5

Adam Milne to Travis Head, In the air...safe! Adam Milne pitches this one up on off, Travis Head tries to go for the slog again but mistimes it high in the air, Rachin Ravindra from mid-wicket runs after it but fails to reach it. Two more runs added to the total. Head is not timing the ball at all here.

1.4

Adam Milne to Travis Head, Pulls his length back a bit now, on off, shaping away, Travis Head tries to guide it away but gets beaten by the pace.

1.3

Adam Milne to Travis Head, Swing and a miss! Adam Milne goes full again and on off, angling away, Travis Head once again tries to go leg side but only connects with thin air.

1.2

Adam Milne to Travis Head, Just wide! This is full and on off, Travis Head tries to slog it across the line but hits it from the bottom half of the bat, the ball flies in the air and goes just wide mid on who collects it afterward. Two runs taken.

1.1

Adam Milne to David Warner, Adam Milne begins with a fuller one as well, on off, shaping away, David Warner pushes it through covers for a single.

Adam Milne to operate from the other end.

over

1 | 4 Runs | HH: 4/0

0.6

Tim Southee to Travis Head, Slower one, on a length and on off, Travis Head dabs it straight to point. Just 4 runs off the first over.

0.5

Tim Southee to David Warner, Touch fuller and on middle, David Warner tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a run.

0.4

Tim Southee to David Warner, Short of a length and around off, David Warner hops up and steers it through backward point for a couple of runs and gets off the mark.

0.3

Tim Southee to Travis Head, Travis Head and Australia are underway! This is pitched up and on middle, Travis Head swipes it off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

0.2

Tim Southee to Travis Head, Back of a length and on middle, shaping in again, Travis Head backs away but mistimes his heave straight to short mid-wicket.

0.1

Tim Southee to Travis Head, Oh...close! Tim Southee starts with a full delivery, on middle, shaping in sharply, Travis Head tries to play at it but just manages to get an inside edge onto his pads. That saves him otherwise he was plumb in front.

st Innings New Zealand

We are back for the run-chase to begin here at Sky Stadium. The two Umpires make their way out to the middle and so do the players of New Zealand who spread out to their respective fielding positions. David Warner and Travis Head are the two openers for Australia. The leading wicket-taker in all men's T20Is, Tim Southee has the new ball in his hands and is all in readiness to bowl the first over of the chase. Let's play...

...The Run Chase...

Right then, Australia must need to get out of the blocks early to chase a mammoth total of 216. They do have an explosive batting order that can take any bowling line-up to the cleaners. New Zealand have enough runs on the board but surely they won't be at ease and would aim to pick quick wickets inside the Powerplay and exert pressure right on. An engaging run-chase is up on the cards. Stay tuned.

Rachin Ravindra is down for a quick chat for his phenomenal batting (68 runs off 35 balls - 2 fours and 6 sixes). Ravindra says that he has watched a lot of cricket growing up here and playing for New Zealand for the first time here is surreal. Adds that he took some time early but Conway going after the bowlers helped him settle down and the partnership gave them a good platform. Praises Allen for his batting and says that he tried to knock it around, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Mentions that 200 is a par score here as the wicket is good with short boundaries and the Aussies are a good batting side. He hopes that the Kiwis can defend it. Ends by saying that as a spinner you have to be unpredictable and mix your lengths and see how it goes.

Australia on the other hand, did not start off as intended as Glenn Maxwell was taken to the cleaners in his first over. He was too ordinary with the ball and offered Allen to free his arms and get into the groove. He was followed by Pat Cummins, who was playing his first T20I after the last T20 World Cup. He too, went for too many runs in his first. Mitchell Starc contrastingly bowled a good couple of overs conceding just a run-a-ball and also got rid of the dangerous-looking aggressor Finn Allen which slowed down the scoring rate considerably. They failed to exert the pressure further as every single bowler was being hit out of the park, courtesy of some really ordinary bowling, especially by Zampa and Maxwell. Even the pacers like Cummins and Hazlewood weren't spared in the onslaught. Pat Cummins then broke the most important partnership by dismissing Rachin Ravindra, and he was followed by Mitchell Marsh sending back Devon Conway in the very next over. Mitchell Starc was a busy man in the field as he grabbed two catches as well as picked a crucial wicket. After a decent couple of overs in the slog, Australia did not finish up cleanly as they conceded 31 runs off the last two overs. And with that, Australia conceded four consecutive 200-plus scores in T20Is.

10 Fours 13 Sixes, and 47 runs off the last five overs. Phew, what an engaging and breathless first half we have had at the Sky Stadium, in Wellington. The hosts elected to bat first and they right on fired on all cylinders as Finn Allen took on the charge. Devon Conway, who was in search of runs, too joined him taking the aggressive route. New Zealand were 50 in no time as Finn Allen struck some brutal boundaries inside the Powerplay before perishing on a quickfire 32 off just 17 rocks. But, he and Conway provided a solid foundation for New Zealand. But the departure of Allen put some brakes on the scoring rate as despite New Zealand being 68/1 after the end of the Powerplay, they struggled to find boundaries with Rachin Ravindra starting off on a sedate note. But, they continued to pinch in singles and doubles and rotated the strike without eating too many deliveries. But once he got into the groove, Rachin Ravindra smoked every poor delivery thrown at him with ease and cleared the fence. He struck 6 sixes and 2 fours in his inning. Devon Conway too, batted aggressively and the two southpaws zoomed up the scoring rate. But the two departed in the span of just two balls scoring 62 and 63 respectively. The two tailored a marvelous 113-run stand and provided a strong platform for the Kiwis to finish on a high. Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips, were new to the crease without facing a delivery, but they didn't let the pressure creep in. And their valuable contributions in the backend helped them mount 215 runs, making it New Zealand's second-highest score in T20Is.

over

20 | 15 Runs | HH: 215/3

19.6

Pat Cummins to Mark Chapman, Only a single to end the innings then! Another slower one, back of a length and around off, Mark Chapman goes through his pull shot early and toe-ends it to the off side for one. 15 runs off the last over. New Zealand finishes on 215/3!

19.6

Pat Cummins to Glenn Phillips, Pat Cummins goes for the slower one, but bowls this full and way outside off, Glenn Phillips fails to reach. The batters steal a bye and it is called a wide.

19.5

Pat Cummins to Glenn Phillips, Pitches this one up around off, Glenn Phillips drags it towards wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

19.4

Pat Cummins to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Unlucky for Pat Cummins! He bangs in a good bouncer here, on middle, Glenn Phillips goes for the pull but gets a top edge that flies well over short fine leg for a boundary.

19.3

Pat Cummins to Mark Chapman, Good fielding! Pat Cummins serves this in the blockhole, outside off, Mark Chapman manages to squeeze it past short third man, David Warner gives chase and puts in a excellent dive just in time to push it back inside. Three runs taken.

19.2

Pat Cummins to Mark Chapman, Short of a length and around off, takes pace off, Mark Chapman pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

19.1

Pat Cummins to Glenn Phillips, Fuller one and outside off, Glenn Phillips backs away and drives it through extra covers for a single.

Pat Cummins (3-0-28-1) to bowl the final over of the first innings.

over

19 | 16 Runs | HH: 200/3

18.6

Mitchell Starc to Glenn Phillips, A full toss now, on middle, Glenn Phillips lofts it on the bounce to long on for one. 16 runs off this over. Also, 200 up for New Zealand!

18.5

Mitchell Starc to Glenn Phillips, SIX! This one has wings on it! Mitchell Starc lands this back of a length and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips shimmies to the leg side and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence and into the second tier for his first maximum of the game.

18.4

Mitchell Starc to Mark Chapman, Overpitched and around off, Mark Chapman drills it hard but straight to sweeper covers for just a single.

18.3

Mitchell Starc to Mark Chapman, Mitchell Starc tries to the yorker but bowls a high full toss, on middle, Mark Chapman gets hurried by the pace but manages to bunt it down to long on for a brace. The crowd thinks that it should be a No Ball but it is just under the waist height.

18.2

Mitchell Starc to Mark Chapman, Good comeback from Starc! He goes full and outside off, shaping away, Mark Chapman goes down to lift it over covers but misses.

18.1

Mitchell Starc to Mark Chapman, SIX! BOOM! There she goes! Mitchell Starc misses his length and serves this in the slot, on middle, Mark Chapman picks it up early, clears his front leg and smokes it way over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Mitchell Starc (3-0-23-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

over

18 | 6 Runs | HH: 184/3

17.6

Josh Hazlewood to Glenn Phillips, Pitched up and on middle, Glenn Phillips swipes it off the inside half of the bat wide of deep square leg, Travis Head runs to his right and slides to make a fine stop saving a couple of runs.

17.5

Josh Hazlewood to Mark Chapman, Touch fuller and on off, Mark Chapman stabs it out in front of covers for one.

17.4

Josh Hazlewood to Glenn Phillips, Josh Hazlewood bangs this onto the pitch and on middle, Glenn Phillips pulls it away aerially towards deep mid-wicket, Tim David stays back and collects it on the bounce. Hazlewood is not happy with the effort as he thinks David should have attacked that one.

17.3

Josh Hazlewood to Mark Chapman, Short of a length and outside of, Mark Chapman slaps it towards sweeper covers just for a run.

17.2

Josh Hazlewood to Mark Chapman, Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and just around off, Mark Chapman goes for the pull too close from his body and misses.

17.1

Josh Hazlewood to Glenn Phillips, Back of a length and on off, slower too, Glenn Phillips waits for it and punches it through covers for a single.

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-30-0) replaces Pat Cummins.

over

17 | 4 Runs | HH: 178/3

16.6

Mitchell Marsh to Glenn Phillips, Pitches this one up, on middle, Glenn Phillips drills it towards long on for one.

16.5

Mitchell Marsh to Glenn Phillips, Back of a length and on of, Glenn Phillips pats it down to short covers.

16.4

Mitchell Marsh to Mark Chapman, Short and on the body, Mark Chapman waits and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

16.4

Mitchell Marsh to Mark Chapman, WIDE! Back-to-back extras. Wide of off on a fuller length, even wide of the tramline. Wided.

16.4

Mitchell Marsh to Mark Chapman, Way too outside off on a length, Mark Chapman lets it go. The Umpire gives Wide.

16.3

Mitchell Marsh to Mark Chapman, Slower one this time, full and outside off, Mark Chapman tries to drive it away but misses again.

16.2

Mitchell Marsh to Mark Chapman, On a length and around off, angling away, Mark Chapman tries to guide it away but misses.

Mark Chapman is in at number 5.

16.1

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, OUT! TAKEN! TWO IN TWO FOR AUSTRALIA! The skipper gets one now and removes Devon Conway. This is on a good length and around off, slower too, Devon Conway tries to drag it form there and go over mid-wicket but loses his shape and goes through his shot early too. As a result, the ball goes off the top edge towards short third man where Mitchell Starc takes another good catch. New Zealand lose both set batters in quick succession now.

Glenn Phillips walks in at number 4.

over

16 | 9 Runs | HH: 174/2

15.6

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Finally one carries to the fielder here, and Pat Cummins gets the crucial breakthrough. He pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Rachin Ravindra once again tries to go for the big swipe and connects well too, but unfortunately hits it flat and straight into the hands of Mitchell Starc who moves to his left swiftly and pouches it safely. Rachin Ravindra goes back after a smashing knock and the crowd has really enjoyed it.

15.5

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! SMASHED! Pat Cummins pitches this one up around middle, Rachin Ravindra clears his front leg away and smacks it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

15.4

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Uppish but safe! Pat Cummins bangs in a sharp bouncer now, on middle, Rachin Ravindra gets hurried on his pull and the ball flies off the top edge, but lands safely in the vacant mid-wicket region, the batters turn around for the second as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. A direct hit and Conway was a goner.

15.3

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Swing and a miss! Pat Cummins goes a bit full, on off, angling away, keeps really low, Rachin Ravindra tries to slog it away but this one sneaks under his bat to the keeper.

15.2

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, Loopy one now, low full toss, outside off, Devon Conway reaches out for it and forces it through covers for a single.

15.1

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, A slower delivery, on a length and on middle, Devon Conway tucks it with soft hands in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes back for the second run. Excellent running!

Pat Cummins is back into the attack.

over

15 | 24 Runs | HH: 165/1

14.6

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! This is some brutal hitting from the local boy! Flighted up around off on a fuller length, Rachin Ravindra accepts the dolly and sweeps it before clearing the deep mid-wicket boundary. 24 runs from it. Ravindra moves into the 60s in no time.

14.5

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! He is clearing the fence with ease now! Drops a juicy half-volley on the middle, Rachin Ravindra slogs it over cow corner for a biggie. He has been so precise with his shots today. Too good from him.

14.4

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, On a dragged length outside off, Devon Conway sweeps and misses towards the off side. A leg bye is taken.

14.3

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, FIFTY for Rachin Ravindra. Another special moment in his very young career. Full and wide of off, Rachin Ravindra slaps it down to long off for a single. He started off on a sedate note but now he is dumping each and every ball being thrown at him.

14.2

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! He is on fire! This is fuller and flatter on the middle, Rachin Ravindra picks his spot and sweeps it through the gap at deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

14.1

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! That's gone a long, long way! TONKED! Drops a loopy delivery right in the slot of Ravindra, Rachin Ravindra sits on his knee and deposits it into the stands clearing deep mid-wicket.

Adam Zampa to bowl his third over now. He has conceded 19 runs in his first two overs.

over

14 | 10 Runs | HH: 141/1

13.6

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, FOUR! This is a fine knock from Conway! Bowls it short does Hazlewood from around the wicket on top of off and pace-off, Devon Conway waits and pulls it over the mid-wicket and it races away to the fence towards deep mid-wicket. He has been so precise with his pull shot today. Another 10-run over for the Kiwis.

13.5

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Angles it way into the batter from middle on a length, Devon Conway glances it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

13.4

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Around the wicket to Conway and guns a toe-crushing yorker, but down leg. It brushes off Conway's boot and carries to the keeper.

13.3

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, On a length on the middle, Rachin Ravindra slaps it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.2

Josh Hazlewood to Rachin Ravindra, Short and on the middle from over the wicket, Rachin Ravindra splices it over the short cover fielder towards deep extra cover for a brace. Didn't go exactly where he intended to hit. Good running.

13.1

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Hazlewood bowls it from around the wicket angling in from off, Devon Conway swings to clear the deep mid-wicket fence but inside edges to the off side and hurries for a quick single.

Josh Hazlewood (2-0-20-0) is back on.

over

13 | 10 Runs | HH: 131/1

12.6

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, Up in the air...but safe. Short and angling into the southpaw from outside off, Devon Conway mihits the pull which falls ahead of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a single to end the over. Another over that went for double-digits. 10 runs from it.

12.5

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, Across off on a length, Rachin Ravindra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Ravindra wants the second but gets a send back from Conway in time.

12.5

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, WIDE! Length ball and too wide of off. Wide given.

12.4

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! Oh, my goodness! Impeccable timing there. Short and pace on from Marsh on off, Rachin Ravindra stays on the crease and pulls it over deep square leg for a huge half a dozen. He is striking the ball pretty well now.

12.3

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, Over the wicket and slants this off-cutter across off on a nagging length, Rachin Ravindra looks to clear the on side but misses.

12.2

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, Around the wicket and slower again on the hips, Devon Conway pulls it with the inner half of the blade to deep square leg for a single.

12.1

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, Marsh bowls a pace-off around off on a length, Devon Conway swings hard to pull but misses as he gets deceived with the slow pace.

Mitchell Marsh comes back into the attack now. He conceded seven runs in his first over.

over

12 | 11 Runs | HH: 121/1

11.6

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, Bangs in short and outside off, Devon Conway rides on top of it and drags his pull towards widish long on for a single to end the over. 11 runs from this Starc's over.

11.5

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, Didn't time this one at all. On a fuller length around off, Rachin Ravindra lofts it with no timing on it towards the front of long off for a single.

11.4

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, FIFTY up for Conway! He was hunting runs desperately and he did the job pretty well this time. Much needed for him. Short and on the body, pulled away by Devon Conway to deep square leg for a single.

11.3

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, On the back of a length and outside off, Rachin Ravindra slashes it to deep point for a single.

11.2

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! Rachin Ravindra gets into the act now! What a brutal hit! Just full and on the middle, Rachin Ravindra swings his bat before lofting it over long on for a huge six. He hold the pose after smashing a biggie.

11.1

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, Starc comes into the attack from over the wicket and pitches it on top of off on a hard length, Devon Conway tucks it with soft hands to the cover-point region for a single. Also, this brings up the 50 runs stand among these two.

over

11 | 13 Runs | HH: 110/1

10.6

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, Down leg and fuller length, Devon Conway sweeps it to deep backward square leg and collects another single to end the over. 13 runs from it.

10.5

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, Full and wide of off, Rachin Ravindra throws his hands towards deep point for a single.

10.4

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! Oh, my word! This is launched! Tad short from Zampa on the middle, inviting Rachin to attack. He rocks back and pulls it over the deep mid-wicket boundary before depositing it into the stands. Outstanding shot.

10.3

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, Looped up ball on the pads, this is tucked by Devon Conway to square leg for one.

10.2

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, Excellent comeback from Zampa there. Brings in the slower leg-spinner on the top of middle, Devon Conway looks to sweep again but misses as he is too early on his shot.

10.1

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, FOUR! Conway now decides to break the shackles! Zampa drops it on the leg stump line on a fuller length, Devon Conway sits on his knee and sweeps it through deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Time for a Drinks, the first of the game! New Zealand started off flying high with Finn Allen the aggressor taking on the Aussie bowlers mercilessly. But since his departure falling prey to Mitchell Starc, the scoring rate has slightly come down but still, they are hovering over 10 runs per over. Devon Conway is unbeaten on 42 along with Rachin Ravindra. The Aussie bowlers will aim to break this brewing partnership as soon as possible. Let's see how the next half of the play pans out...

over

10 | 12 Runs | HH: 97/1

9.6

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, Darts this one full and outside off, Devon Conway reaches for it and drills it towards deep point for one.

9.5

Glenn Maxwell to Rachin Ravindra, Quicker, full and on leg, skids through, Rachin Ravindra backs away to swipe it away but gets another inside edge towards short fine leg. They cross.

9.4

Glenn Maxwell to Rachin Ravindra, Short again and on middle, Rachin Ravindra quickly moves back and heaves it towards wide of deep mid-wicket for brace.

9.3

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, Short and around off, Devon Conway bunts it through covers for a run.

9.2

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, SIX! Up, up and away! This is tossed up, full, and on middle, Devon Conway goes down on one knee and nails his slog-sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A boundary after a long time for the Kiwis!

9.1

Glenn Maxwell to Rachin Ravindra, Flatter, full and around off, Rachin Ravindra tries to stab it away but gets an inside edge past the leg pole and towards short fine leg. A single is taken.

Spin from both ends. Glenn Maxwell (1-0-20-0) replaces Pat Cummins.

over

9 | 6 Runs | HH: 85/1

8.6

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, Another single to end the over as this short delivery is flicked to deep square leg by Ravindra. Six single in the over then!

8.5

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, A bit short and around leg, Devon Conway stays back and clips it towards short fine leg for one more.

8.4

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, Darts this one in the blockhole, on off, Rachin Ravindra backs away and squeezes it towards deep point for one.

8.3

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, Flighted, full and around middle, Devon Conway goes down and sweeps it through square leg for another run.

8.2

Adam Zampa to Rachin Ravindra, Tossed up, full and on leg, Rachin Ravindra eases it towards long on for a run.

8.1

Adam Zampa to Devon Conway, Adam Zampa begins with a floated delivery. full and on middle, Devon Conway uses his feet and drills it towards long on for a single.

Time for some spin now. Adam Zampa replaces Mitchell Marsh.

over

8 | 4 Runs | HH: 79/1

7.6

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Just short! Fuller delivery this time, on off, Rachin Ravindra once again tries to slog it over mid-wicket but this time gets an inside edge that falls just short of Josh Inglis behind the stumps.

7.5

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, Pat Cummins continues to take pace off here, this is on a good length, on middle, Devon Conway gets deceived and swipes it off the inside half of the bat towards short fine leg for a one.

7.4

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, Short of a length and on off again, no pace at all, Devon Conway chops it down straight to point.

7.3

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Change of pace again from Cummins, back of a length and on off, Rachin Ravindra dabs it towards point for a run.

7.3

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Pat Cummins goes for the bouncer now but serves this a bit too high, Rachin Ravindra tries to pull it away but misses. Wided.

7.2

Pat Cummins to Rachin Ravindra, Swing and a miss! Pat Cummins goes a bit fuller this time, on the sixth stump line, angling away, Rachin Ravindra has wild swing across the line but fails to connect.

7.1

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, Slower one, on a length and around off, Devon Conway runs it down to third man for a single.

Pat Cummins (1-0-15-0) is back into the attack and he replaces Mitchell Starc.

over

7 | 7 Runs | HH: 75/1

6.6

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, Another full delivery to end the over, on middle, Rachin Ravindra drives it nicely with a straight bat wide of long off and collects two more runs.

6.6

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, This is pitched up but way, way outside of, Rachin Ravindra leaves it alone. Wided.

6.5

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, Oh...close! Mitchell Marsh bowls this on a good length and on off, Devon Conway tries to guide it away but gets an inside edge just past the stumps and to the right of the keeper. The batters get across for one.

6.4

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, In the air...safe again! Mitchell Marsh lands this back of a length and around off, slower too, Rachin Ravindra goes through his pull shot early and gets a top edge, but the ball lands well in front of the incoming deep mid-wicket fielder. They cross.

6.3

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, Fuller once more, on off, Rachin Ravindra pushes it straight to short covers.

6.2

Mitchell Marsh to Devon Conway, Full again and outside off this time, Devon Conway carves it towards deep point for a run.

6.1

Mitchell Marsh to Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Marsh starts with a full delivery, on middle, Rachin Ravindra drills it towards mid off for a single.

The skipper, Mitchell Marsh brings himself into the attack now and will bowl the first over after the mandatory Powerplay. He replaces Josh Hazlewood.

over

6 | 9 Runs | HH: 68/1

5.6

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, Another full delivery, on off, Rachin Ravindra bunts it down to mid on for one more. New Zealand are 68/1 at the end of the Powerplay. This is their highest against Australia in T20Is.

5.5

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, Overpitched and around off, Devon Conway drives it through covers for one.

5.5

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, Mitchell Starc errs in his line again and pitches this way down the leg side, Devon Conway fails to work it away, Josh Inglis dives to his right but only manages to parry it towards the third man region. It is called a wide and two byes are taken.

5.4

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, Risky single! This is the slower again, on a length and on ff, Rachin Ravindra pushes it on the up wide of covers and sets off for the run, the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. It would have been really close if it was direct hit.

5.3

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, Back of a length and around off, Rachin Ravindra stabs it towards cover-point.

5.3

Mitchell Starc to Rachin Ravindra, Goes fuller but down the leg side, Rachin Ravindra misses his flick. Wided.

Rachin Ravindra is in at number 3.

5.2

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, OUT! TAKEN! Mitchell Starc draws first blood! Finn Allen tries the same shot once again but holes out this time. This one is on a good length and around middle, angling in, Finn Allen tries to heave it across the line again, but the ball lobs up off the splice of the bat towards mid-wicket where David Warner takes a dolly. Allen goes after a fiery cameo.

5.1

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, In the air...safe! Mitchell Starc rolls his fingers and takes pace off, full and on off, Finn Allen is early into his slog across the line, and gets it from the toe-end of the bat, the ball flies in the air and lands safely over the mid-wicket fielder. Two runs taken.

Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack now.

New Zealand are up and running, firing on all cylinders with Devon Conway finding his nick in time and also Finn Allen who looks aggressive. Will they end up the Powerplay on a high?

over

5 | 8 Runs | HH: 59/0

4.6

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, Goes full and outside off just near the tramline, Finn Allen gets low and squeezes it towards gully and point but finds the fielder. They do cross for a single.

4.5

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Tad short in length on the middle and leg channel, Devon Conway is early on the shot and miscues his pull to square leg for a single.

4.4

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, On the back of a length angling across off, Finn Allen rides on the bounce off the back foot and cuts it to deep point for one.

4.3

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, FOUR! Classic textbook straight drive! Hazlewood pitches it fuller and on off, Finn Allen presents the full face of the bat before driving it crisply past the left of mid on for a boundary.

4.2

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Aims the pads on a tad fuller length, it hits the abdomen area of the southpaw and he runs a leg bye to the leg side.

4.1

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Cuts the batter on off on a length, Devon Conway looks to slash it but it passes below his inside edge and then to the keeper.

Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood.

over

4 | 15 Runs | HH: 51/0

3.6

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, A brave pace-off from Cummins on a length on top of off, Devon Conway waits and cuts it to gully for a single to end the over. Another expensive over. 15 runs from it.

3.5

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, FOUR! The ball is just racing away to the fence. 50 up for the hosts in no time. Cummins intentionally bowls it short and angles into the batter, Devon Conway pulls it from the crease through the gap between deep square leg and mid-wicket for a boundary.

3.4

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, FOUR! That has been mercilessly struck by Conway! On a nagging length outside off, Devon Conway drags the pull over mid on for a boundary towards long on.

3.3

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, On the back of a length angling into the middle and leg channel, Devon Conway tucks it to short mid-wicket off the back foot.

3.2

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, SIX! EDGED AND ALL THE WAY INTO THE STANDS! On a hard length around off, Devon Conway swivels hard to pull but takes the leading edge that clears the deep third man fence for a biggie.

3.1

Pat Cummins to Devon Conway, Around the wicket on a fuller length, which angles in from off, Devon Conway pushes it to mid off getting on his front foot.

Change from both ends as Pat Cummins comes into the attack now.

over

3 | 20 Runs | HH: 36/0

2.6

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, Fractionally short in length on off, Devon Conway knocks it to mid off and sneaks a quick single to end the over. Expensive from Maxwell.

2.5

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, Slows the pace and keeps it outside off on a length, Devon Conway swings and misses. Josh Inglis collects it and quickly flashes off the sticks in a blink. The TV Umpire checks and confirms that Conway's foot is way inside the crease when Inglis disrupts the sticks. Not Out then.

2.4

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, FOUR! Class from Conway! Drags his length on outside off, Devon Conway rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary.

2.3

Glenn Maxwell to Finn Allen, Full, on the stumps, Allen flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

2.2

Glenn Maxwell to Finn Allen, SIX! Poor and rightly punished! Offers too much of width outside off on a shortish length, Finn Allen flat-bats it over the long off fence for a six.

2.2

Glenn Maxwell to Finn Allen, SIX! Allen has his intentions pretty clear! Touch short and outside off, Finn Allen waits and thumps it over the sightscreen over the bowler's head for another maximum. Uh oh, Maxwell has overstepped here and it's a No Ball. Free Hit to follow now.

2.1

Glenn Maxwell to Devon Conway, Maxi starts from around the wicket on a fuller length around off, Devon Conway covers the off stump and leans ahead before driving it with the spin, and through the covers for a single.

First bowling change and we will see some spin now as Glenn Maxwell replaces Mitchell Starc.

over

2 | 13 Runs | HH: 16/0

1.6

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, Sneaks back into the batter from off on a length, Finn Allen charges down the track to whip it over cow corner but misses out on connecting it. End of the over. 13 runs from it.

1.5

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, On the back of a length angling into the batter on the middle and off-channel, Finn Allen blocks it off the back foot.

1.4

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, FOUR! On the charge now Finn Allen! On fuller length offering a lot of width outside off, Finn Allen lofts it over covers with a still head position towards deep extra cover for a boundary on a couple of bounces.

1.3

Josh Hazlewood to Finn Allen, SIX! Monstrous and the first biggie of the innings! Full and on the stumps, Finn Allen advances a couple of steps ahead and lifts it over the deep mid-wicket for a huge six. What a shot!

1.2

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Finds the gap but a fantastic effort in the deep by Starc. This is on a fullish length just around off, Devon Conway slices it through the cover-point gap. Mitchell Starc sprints from the deep third-man region and slides to his left. Keeps it to two.

1.1

Josh Hazlewood to Devon Conway, Over the wicket on a fuller length, Devon Conway inside edges to the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.

over

1 | 3 Runs | HH: 3/0

0.6

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Oh, that would have been trouble for Allen! Starc guns it on the middle and leg channel with an inward movement, Finn Allen flicks it to short mid-wicket and is already halfway down the track for sneaking a single but Devon Conway sends him back on a sharp call. The fielder there fumbles a bit which saves Allen as he gets back safely to the striker's end. Not a bad over from Starc at all.

0.5

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, This is a vicious short-pitched delivery on the bodyline of Allen, Finn Allen swivels across to pull but misses as the ball further shoots up after pitching. He is getting a good carry.

0.4

Mitchell Starc to Devon Conway, On a nagging length around off, Devon Conway gets off the mark by dabbing it late to deep third man for a single.

0.3

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, First runs with the bat and Finn Allen is off the mark! On a fullish length around off, Finn Allen whips across the angle to short mid-wicket where Matthew Short misfields and the ball trickles to the deep. They cross for a single.

0.2

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Cannons it on a length on the middle, Finn Allen swings hard but meets only thin air on that one wearing on his body.

0.2

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, WIDE! A bit of inward movement which slides the ball down leg. Wide given.

0.1

Mitchell Starc to Finn Allen, Starts off with a peach of a delivery right on! Good seam and good carry! Starc steams in from over the wicket and slants it across off on a hard length, Finn Allen looks to poke but misses.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Australian players spread out and take their fielding positions. Finn Allen and Devon Conway are the two openers for New Zealand. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of the game, but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Australia's first followed by the national anthem of New Zealand.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Matthew Short, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Devon Conway (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (On Debut), Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson.

Toss Update: New Zealand won the toss and elected to BAT first.

Meanwhile, led by Mitchell Marsh, Australia enters the contest on the back of a triumphant streak against the Windies in both ODIs and T20Is. The team flaunts a formidable batting unit spearheaded by the dynamic openers David Warner and Travis Head. The middle order is fortified by the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Josh Inglis, Tim David, and the in-form Glenn Maxwell. The seam bowling attack comprises Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and the very impressive Spencer Johnson, while the spin duo of Adam Zampa and Matthew Short adds depth to the bowling arsenal, with Short also providing aggressive batting prowess when needed. The squad remains largely unchanged from their recent encounter against the Windies and would want to continue their dominance over their neighbors now. Who will take the first match? Will the Kiwis assert their dominance over 'Straya'? Or will the tourists upset the hosts? We shall find out as we bring you the Toss and Team Updates shortly. Stay tuned.

New Zealand, playing on home turf, has enjoyed a stellar home season thus far, triumphing over Bangladesh initially and recently dominating South Africa in a thrilling two-match Test series. Under the leadership of Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis boast a formidable batting lineup characterized by a blend of aggression and finesse. The opening pair of Finn Allen, who has been in a sublime touch lately in the shortest format, and Devon Conway, with the latter aiming to break free from a recent batting slump, will set the tone for the Kiwi innings. Joining the ranks are Will Young and the promising batting sensation Rachin Ravindra. The middle order comprises Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, and the skipper Mitchell Santner himself. The bowling department features the pace trio of Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, and Adam Milne, supported by Josh Clarkson and Ben Sears, with Ish Sodhi and Santner providing the spin options. While Trent Boult will join the squad in the second and third T20Is.

Hello, and a very warm welcome to our coverage of the First T20I of the 3-match T20I in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, as New Zealand are all in readiness to host their big daddy Tasman neighbors Australia, at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. This match ignites the flames of the renowned Trans-Tasman rivalry. The first game will be played in Wellington and the rest two are scheduled to be played in Auckland.

...MATCH DAY...

A new chapter is about to be written in the Trans-Tasmanian rivalry as the men from Down Under have set foot on New Zealand shores for a multi-format series. The two Trans-Tasman rivals, Australia and New Zealand will first lock horns in a three-match T20I series for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy before the attention turns to the two-match Test series. The T20I series kicks off at the Sky Stadium in Wellington before the caravan shifts to Auckland for the next two games. Both sides will have one eye on the T20 World Cup as they look to fine-tune their preparations for that mega event in the Caribbean and the USA. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, enter the series with confidence after a convincing 4-1 victory over Pakistan. In the batting department, the onus will fall on Devon Conway to hold the innings, with the likes of Finn Allen and Will Young expected to perform the aggressor role. As for Rachin Ravindra, he will be keen to stake a claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips will be relied upon for quick runs, with the latter more than handy with his off-breaks. Ish Sodhi and skipper Mitchell Santner will shoulder much of the burden in the spin department for the hosts. New Zealand's squad announcement was headlined with the return of Trent Boult to the T20I setup after 15 months. However, he will be available only for the last two T20Is. Tim Southee, Adam Milne, and Lockie Ferguson are the pace bowling options Santner will have at his disposal in the series opener. On the other hand, Australia arrive at near full strength, fresh from a series win over the West Indies. Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead the side and will play a key role, more importantly with the bat. Other than him, David Warner and Travis Head are the other usual suspects at the top of the order. There will be no shortage of firepower in the middle order with the presence of Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Tim David, and Matthew Wade. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc form the crux of the pace department. Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson are the other seam options, whereas leggie Adam Zampa will spearhead the spin attack. As the Trans-Tasman rivals renew their age-old rivalry, the stage is set for a cracker of a series. Who will land the first punch? We shall find out.

New Zealand

Finn Allen

Bat/Bow

Devon Conway

KEEPER/Bat/Bow

Rachin Ravindra

Bat/Bow

Glenn Phillips

Bat/Bow

Mark Chapman

Bat/Bow

Josh Clarkson

Bat/Bow

Mitchell Santner

CAP/Bat/Bow

Adam Milne

Bat/Bow

Ish Sodhi

Bat/Bow

Tim Southee

Bat/Bow

Lockie Ferguson

Bat/Bow

Australia

Travis Head

Bat/Bow

David Warner

Bat/Bow

Mitchell Marsh

CAP/Bat/Bow

Glenn Maxwell

Bat/Bow

Josh Inglis

KEEPER/Bat/Bow

Tim David

Bat/Bow

Matthew Short

Bat/Bow

Pat Cummins

Bat/Bow

Mitchell Starc

Bat/Bow

Adam Zampa

Bat/Bow

Josh Hazlewood

Bat/Bow

New Zealand vs Australia, Australia in New Zealand 3 T20I Series 2024, 1st T20I - Full Squad