The three-match T20I series between New Zealand and Australia kicked off with the opening T20I at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Wednesday. It is the last T20I battle for both sides before the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June. The opening match turned out to be a high-scoring affair which ended up being a nail-biter where the Aussies eventually registered a thrilling win by 6 wickets.
Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway blow away Australia
Opting to bat first, the Black Caps went on to post a massive total of 215/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Devon Conway and Finn Allen took their side off to a flyer with a stunning opening partnership. The duo added 61 runs in 5.2 overs before Mitchell Starc drew first blood by dismissing Allen for 32.
Conway continued attacking the Aussie bowling attack and was very well supported by young batting sensation Rachin Ravindra. The pair completely demolished the opponents with their explosive batting display, forming a breathtaking 113-run partnership for the second wicket.
Conway was dismissed after scoring 63 from 46 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Ravindra, on the other hand, smashed 68 off just 35 deliveries with the help of 2 fours and 6 humungous maximums.
Also READ: New Zealand vs Australia 2024, T20I Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, USA & other countries
Mitchell Marsh keeps Australia in the game
In pursuit of the target, Australia came out with a strong batting performance. Travis Head provided a quick start with 24 runs off 15 balls along with David Warner, who smashed 32 off 20.
Captain Mitchell Marsh unleashed his power hitting and kept his team in the contest despite falling of wickets at the other end. Marsh stayed unbeaten on 72 off 44 with the help of 2 fours and 7 huge sixes. He was well supported by Tim David, who turned out to be the real finisher in the game.
Tim David takes his team over the finish line
New Zealand had pulled things in their favour when Australia needed 35 runs off the final two overs. That’s when David unleashed his explosive batting display and helped Australia collect 19 runs from the penultimate over bowled by Adam Milne.
With 16 to win off the last 6 balls, New Zealand’s experienced campaigner Tim Southee did his best to contain the run flow by conceding only 3 runs off the first three deliveries. However, David yet again ruined hosts’ plans and smashed 6, 2, and 4 off the final three balls to take Australia over the finish line.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Man. What a game!!!
Going to be a seriously good month of cricket in New Zealand.
Unreal from Tim David + Mitch Marsh 🤯#NZvAUS
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) February 21, 2024
Australia won a high-scoring thriller in Wellington to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series 👌#NZvAUS 📝 : https://t.co/rqwX3jLtZU pic.twitter.com/QszL57qDUc
— ICC (@ICC) February 21, 2024
Great chase. Terrific game of T20 cricket.#NZvAUS
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) February 21, 2024
Australia needed 12 runs from 3 balls, Tim David on strike:
6, 2, 4 and finished the match in style – the finisher of Australia ⭐🔥 pic.twitter.com/5ewVQz33x9
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 21, 2024
Devon Conway & Rachin Ravindra 💛🔥
They Are Back !!!pic.twitter.com/41EsyGFNrj
— Mugil (@YelloveVersions) February 21, 2024
Mitchell Santner for Tim Southee #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/z3QWBLpmn0
— Dexter↗️ (@MunnaKaTunna) February 21, 2024
Devon Conway – Rachin Ravindra Show Takes New Zealand To 215 . pic.twitter.com/B0aBMFKDMz
— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) February 21, 2024
Generational Talent Rachin Ravindra has arrived in T20i 🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/p4gNwhxFLs
— Beast (@Beast_xx_) February 21, 2024
Tim David finished the game with a 6,2,4 in the last 3 balls.
– The finisher, Tim David…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tQ7d9bwSaX
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 21, 2024
Tim David takes Australia over the finish line#NZvsAUS #cricket #TimDavid #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/d4uPfreYCf
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 21, 2024
Fifty For Rachin Ravindra. Really Excited To See Him In IPL 🤩. pic.twitter.com/gRCpy1zNjM
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) February 21, 2024
Rachin Ravindra sends Adam Zampa to Dinda Academy 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/L6UUoc0pco
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) February 21, 2024
TIM DAVID – WHAT A PLAYER…!!!!
Australia needs 32 of 9 balls and then Tim David hits – 4,6,6,1,6,2,4 and he won the 1st match for Australia.
– TIM DAVID YOU BEAUTY. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lCAPcJWzgv
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 21, 2024
Australia defeated New Zealand when they required to chase 46 in 15 balls.
The Hero of the match is Tim David#NZvsAus pic.twitter.com/hdrzRYvKCh
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) February 21, 2024
Tim David recreated Virat Kohli’s 28 Runs Off 8 Balls Run Chase ..🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/grTlu9kxRS
— ShivX (@ShivX45) February 21, 2024
Tim David is a monster 🔥while chasing#AusvNZ #NzvsAus pic.twitter.com/Hc66WXXcbw
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) February 21, 2024
Tim David finishes off it in style , What a chase lads 🔥🔥🔥
Some t20i batters from Asia can’t relate to this 🥱
Exams over and What a time to be back on this App🔥🔥💥#AUSvsNZ #INDvsENG#CricketTwitter #ktwitter #NZvsAUS pic.twitter.com/ss8qpRjmxE
— paRaY_YasiR ✍️ (@ParayYasir2) February 21, 2024
TIM DAVID DOES IT! AUSTRALIA WIN ON THE LAST BALL OF THE MATCH!#NZvAUS #NZvsAUS #AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/oLJWuD6OjO
— Abdullah Neaz (@Neaz__Abdullah) February 21, 2024
What a match it was Tim David you beautyyy❤️❤️#AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/fGlcz2LFsA
— Himayy Batra (@BatraHimat) February 21, 2024
Tim david 🫡
What a player!
31 runs in just 10 balls !!
Done and dusted ✅#AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/0RwIHgXPeM
— KrrishnaTweets (@KAakrosh) February 21, 2024
Tim david!!!!
Watch out for him in T20 worldcup!!!
31 of 10 balls to finish the match! pic.twitter.com/skUVFro4bK
— Shahzeb (@confesspain_) February 21, 2024
Tim David you beauty! 4 needed of the last ball & he did it for Australia. Told you this team is the strongest contender for T20 WC this year. 👏 #AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/CNukmQrDTY
— Cric Basheer (@basheer_699) February 21, 2024
AUSTRALIA WINS!
Tim David the hero of the Night!👊
#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/8WifxQhItv
— Aussies Army🏏🦘 (@AussiesArmy) February 21, 2024
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