Australia’s Tim David scored 31 not out off 10 balls against New Zeland in first T20I.© X (formerly Twitter)
Tim David and Mitchell Marsh starred in Australia’s nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20I in Wellington on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 216, Australia needed 12 runs off the final three balls. David smashed New Zealand pacer Tim Southee for a six to fine leg. On the next delivery, the right-handed batter managed to steal a couple. Australia needed 4 runs to win off the final ball and David took them home by whipping the ball between the deep mid-wicket and long-on fielders for a boundary.
Watch the thrilling finish from 15:23 –
Having been set 216 to win, Australia skipper Marsh hammered 72 off 44 balls before batting partner David (31 not out off 10) sealed a thrilling last-gasp victory.
The three-match series is the last for both teams before the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June.
Rachin Ravindra had earlier put New Zealand in the driving seat by hitting 68 runs off 35 balls to claim his first half-century in the format as the hosts finished on 215 for 3.
Marsh finished with best bowling figures of 1 for 21 before leading the charge with the bat, hitting seven sixes and two fours in his unbeaten knock.
The captain steadied his side after they lost openers Travis Head and David Warner early on.
Marsh built a partnership of 42 for the third wicket with Glenn Maxwell, who was clean-bowled by Lockie Ferguson on 25 to leave Australia 111-3 after 10 overs.
New Zealand’s fielding let them down in the 12th over as Southee missed a catch off Josh Inglis, then Phillips dropped Marsh next ball on the boundary.
Inglis was dismissed with three overs left and Australia on 172-4 when he skied his shot to Ravindra at deep backward square leg. Inglis made 20.
The game went to the wire after New Zealand seamer Adam Milne was smashed for 19 runs in the penultimate over.
Australia needed 15 from the last six balls, but David held his nerve by smashing a six before sending the final ball of the night to the boundary past a diving Phillips.
(With AFP Inputs)
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