On This Day 2005 – First-ever T20 International was played in Auckland

Feb 17, 2023

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T20 cricket has completely revolutionised the cricketing world with the inception of various T20 leagues across the globe. It has become an integral part of the game as it provides maximum entertainment to the fans in the shortest time possible. When the first-ever T20I was played on February 17, 2005, little did anyone know that it will turn out to be such a colossal phenomenon in the coming years.

It was Australia and New Zealand, the two teams that were selected to introduce this latest addition of international cricket to the world. Having ruled the existing two formats of international cricket for a number of years, the mighty Australians had a new assignment waiting for them. 

Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the first-ever toss in T20Is and elected to bat first at the Eden Park, Auckland. The stage was set and the eyes of fans from all around the globe were waiting in anticipation of how this format was going to make a name for itself.

The Australian innings got off to the worst possible start as Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds were all back in the pavilion within the first six overs leaving Australia at 54/4 in 5.1 overs. The onus was once again on the Australian captain Ricky Ponting to take his team out of trouble and he didn’t disappoint as he ended up scoring a magnificent 98* off just 55 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes.

Courtesy of Ponting’s breathtaking knock, Australia posted a massive 214/5 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, New Zealand’s chase never got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Only Scott Styris stood up to the challenge posed by the strong Australian bowling attack as he scored a brilliant 66 of 39 balls. 

Apart from him, only Brendon McCullum crossed the 30-run mark scoring 36 off 24 balls. Michael Kasprowicz was the pick of the bowlers for Australia who dismissed four batters while giving away 29 runs in four overs. As a result, Australia emerged victorious in the first-ever T20I by 44 runs and laid the foundation for this exciting format to take over the cricketing world in the coming years.

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