NZ vs AUS: Australia win the 1st T20I in a last ball thriller

Mitchell Marsh's stellar performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award, courtesy of his unbeaten 72 runs and a wicket in the first innings.

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Tim David and Mitchell Marsh enabled Australia achieve a stunning last-ball victory over New Zealand, by chasing 16 in the final over in Wellington.

Fifties from opener Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra set the tone for New Zealand, who chose to bat first against Australia. The Kiwis’ consistent hitting carried them to 215/3 in 20 overs.

In pursuit of a target of 216 runs for victory, the Australian batters aggressively went for their shots, resulting in frequent dismissals. Despite a promising start from Travis Head (24) and David Warner (32), who were eventually ousted by Adam Milne and Mitchell Santner respectively, the team found itself in a precarious position.

However, skipper Mitchell Marsh (72*) anchored the innings brilliantly, forging crucial partnerships with Glenn Maxwell (25) and Josh Inglis (20). Tim David (31*) provided crucial support towards the end, ensuring Australia secured a six-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Mitchell Marsh’s stellar performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award, courtesy of his unbeaten 72 runs and a wicket in the first innings. On the bowling front for New Zealand, Mitchell Santner claimed two wickets, while Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne chipped in with one each.

In the first innings, New Zealand posted a challenging total of 215/3 at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, marking their second-highest score at the venue. Devon Conway and Finn Allen laid a strong foundation for the Kiwis before Allen departed for 36 runs. Conway then combined with Rachin Ravindra to build a century partnership, pushing New Zealand past the 150-run mark. Contributions from Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips further bolstered their total.

Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins each picked up a wicket for Australia in the first innings.

Mitchell Santner won the toss earlier in the day and opted to bat first, setting the stage for the encounter at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. Both teams are gearing up for three T20 clashes, their final matches before the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Australia enters the contest with momentum, having recently clinched a 2-1 series victory against the West Indies. The team, led by a youthful squad, is eager to bid farewell to David Warner in his final bilateral T20 series.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is riding high after securing a convincing 4-1 series win against Pakistan in their last T20 outing. They are determined to assert their dominance in the lead-up to the World Cup.

With star players from both sides in the fray, the first T20 encounter between New Zealand and Australia promises to be a high-scoring spectacle. The pitch at the Sky Stadium is expected to offer some assistance to the bowlers but is largely favorable for batting, setting the stage for a potentially substantial total.

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