NZ vs AUS 1st T20I: Mitchell Marsh smashed a rapid half-century to guide Australia to a comfortable six-wicket win over New Zealand in the first T20I at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday. Mitchell Marsh’s innings overshadowed a brilliant century from home batter Tim Robinson, who fought hard but couldn’t stop the visitors from taking an early lead in the three-match series.
Mitchell Marsh lights up Bay Oval
Mitchell Marsh was in destructive form, hammering five sixes and nine fours on his way to 85 off just 43 balls. Australia made light work of New Zealand’s 181 for six, wrapping up the chase with 21 balls to spare in front of a lively Bay Oval crowd.
“It’s a nice entry, obviously really important in a three-match series to start off with a win,” said Mitchell Marsh.
Mitchell Marsh added: “Tonight was a lot of fun … We do have a lot of power in our batting lineup (and) hopefully it can continue.”
Hosts missing key players
This series marks the earliest start to an international summer in New Zealand, but the home side was without some big names. Regular skipper Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra were all sidelined, along with several injured bowlers.
Kyle Jamieson did return from paternity leave, joining Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, and Jacob Duffy in the pace attack. But the group struggled against Marsh and opener Travis Head, who smashed 68 runs during the powerplay alone.
Henry did provide a couple of bright moments, dismissing Head for 31 and later removing Marsh, who holed out to Robinson at deep cover. By then, though, Australia was firmly in control.
Matt Short chipped in with 29, while Tim David and Alex Carey added a useful 24-run stand. Marcus Stoinis, recalled to the side, needed only one ball to finish the job, pulling Foulkes to the rope for the winning runs.
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Australia is also not at full strength
The visitors were missing key men, too. Pat Cummins sat out with an injury, and Cameron Green opted to skip the series to prepare for the upcoming Ashes. Even so, it didn’t slow them down.
Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis ripped through New Zealand’s top order early, grabbing three wickets in the first two overs to leave the hosts in trouble.
Robinson’s century stands tall
The one shining light for New Zealand was 21-year-old Tim Robinson. Called into the squad after Ravindra picked up a facial injury at training, he made the most of his opportunity with a superb unbeaten 106 from 66 balls.
Despite his effort, Hazlewood and spinner Adam Zampa kept the rest of the batting lineup quiet, restricting the hosts to a total that always looked within reach for Australia’s powerful hitters.
Bracewell admits the game slipped early
Reflecting on the loss, stand-in skipper Michael Bracewell pointed to the powerplays as the turning point.
“In the powerplays in both innings we got a little bit behind the game,” he said.
“We did well in the batting unit to be able to put a competitive total on the board.
“(But) when Mitch and Travis came out the way they did, they took the game away from us – and we were fighting for a bit of momentum after that.”
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