A heroic knock from captain Mitchell Marsh and a late assault from Tim David have steered Australia towards a thrilling six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Wellington.
The Australians, who at one stage required 32 runs from nine balls for an unlikely win, reeled in the 216-run target on the final delivery to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The tourists needed four runs from the last ball for victory, but David held his nerve by picking out a gap at deep mid-wicket to seal a remarkable win for Australia. It was the team’s third-highest successful run chase in T20Is.
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“That was incredible,” Marsh said during the post-match presentation.
“That’s exactly why he’s in this team. He’s been incredible over the last two years in all T20 tournaments around the world.
“It was a pleasure to watch.”
During the tense final over, delivered by Black Caps veteran Tim Southee, one of David’s sixes landed on the boundary rope, which proved a decisive moment in the series opener.
Marsh, later named player of the match, was the anchor of Australia’s innings with 72 not out from 44 balls, while David finished unbeaten on 31 (10), which included three sixes.
“It was a hell of a game of cricket,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said after the match.
“We’ve just got to reflect and move on.”
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Earlier, New Zealand posted 3-215 after a ruthless 113-run partnership between Black Caps opener Devon Conway and rising star Rachin Ravindra, who each scored fifties. It was the seventh-highest score Australia has ever conceded in the format, with the innings featuring 13 sixes.
After a slow start, Ravindra feasted on Australia’s world-class bowling attack following the drinks break, clobbering a trio of sixes against leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the 15th over. The 24-year-old fell victim to Pat Cummins a few minutes later, picking out the square leg boundary rider for 68 (35).
Conway departed the next delivery for 63 (46) after top-edging a slower ball from Marsh, caught at short third man by Mitchell Starc.
New Zealand’s seamers were hooping the ball around corners early in the run chase, with Australian opener Travis Head trudging off for 24 (15) after a scratchy start, caught at mid-on by Southee.
David Warner was handed a massive reprieve during the Powerplay, dropped by Ravindra on 18, but the missed chance didn’t prove too costly, departing the following over for 32 after holing out towards deep-mid wicket. The Wellington crowd booed the 37-year-old opener as he walked off.
Black Caps speedster Lockie Ferguson produced an absolute seed to knock over Glenn Maxwell after the drinks break, bowled for 25 (11) before Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis combined for a 61-run partnership, which set up the thrilling finale.
“GOT HIMMM!” – NZ froth Maxwell wicket | 00:36
Ferguson was undeniably the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, conceding just 23 runs from his four overs, while snared claimed two crucial wickets.
Earlier, Santner won the toss and elected to bat first, with all-rounder Josh Clarkson making his T20I debut. Black Caps opener Finn Allen got the hosts off to a flying start, blasting three sixes during the Powerplay before chipping towards mid-wicket in the sixth over for 32 (17).
The second T20 between New Zealand and Australia gets underway at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 5.10pm AEDT.
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Source Agencies
