Australia defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first Twenty20 match at Bay Oval on Wednesday, despite an unbeaten century from Tim Robinson. Captain Mitchell Marsh scored 85 runs off 43 balls, leading Australia to 185-4 in just 16.3 overs after New Zealand posted 181-6. Marsh hit nine fours and five sixes before being caught in the 15th over, falling short of his first T20 international century.
Robinson scored 106 not out off 66 balls after New Zealand collapsed to 6-3 when asked to bat first. Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Devon Conway and Mark Chapman with consecutive deliveries in the second over. Robinson and Daryl Mitchell recovered with a 92-run partnership off 55 balls, and the 23-year-old Robinson became the second-youngest New Zealander to score a T20 century.
Travis Head contributed 31 runs in an opening partnership of 67 off 5.3 overs with Marsh. Both teams lost key players to training injuries on Tuesday, as Rachin Ravindra suffered facial cuts from a fence collision, and Glenn Maxwell broke his arm. The remaining matches will be played on Friday and Saturday at Mount Maunganui.
Robinson scored 106 not out off 66 balls after New Zealand collapsed to 6-3 when asked to bat first. Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Devon Conway and Mark Chapman with consecutive deliveries in the second over. Robinson and Daryl Mitchell recovered with a 92-run partnership off 55 balls, and the 23-year-old Robinson became the second-youngest New Zealander to score a T20 century.
Travis Head contributed 31 runs in an opening partnership of 67 off 5.3 overs with Marsh. Both teams lost key players to training injuries on Tuesday, as Rachin Ravindra suffered facial cuts from a fence collision, and Glenn Maxwell broke his arm. The remaining matches will be played on Friday and Saturday at Mount Maunganui.
