NEW DELHI: In a thrilling encounter, Australia secured a dramatic six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international in Wellington on Wednesday.
Chasing a formidable target of 216, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh played a crucial role, scoring 72 off 44 balls. The match reached its climax when Tim David, with a brilliant unbeaten knock of 31, hit a four off the last ball to seal the nail-biting win.
arlier, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra had set the stage with an impressive innings, scoring 68 runs off 35 balls and claiming his first half-century in the T20 format. Despite this strong performance, Australia managed to chase down the target in a tense finish.
The victory in the three-match series holds significance for both teams as it serves as the final preparation before the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June.
Marsh not only excelled with the bat but also showcased his bowling skills, finishing with figures of 1-21.
The match featured some key moments, including the early dismissals of openers Travis Head and David Warner, and Warner's reaction to the crowd after his departure.
The series now moves to Auckland for the next two T20 internationals at Eden Park, followed by a two-Test series.
(With AFP inputs)
