NZ vs AUS 1st T20I: Mitchell Marsh,Tim David heroics help Australia clinch last-ball thriller in Wellington

Tim David and Mitchell Marsh were the stars of the show as Australia secured a thrilling last-ball win in Wellington to beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series.

The Sky Stadium was the stage for this high-octane encounter, where New Zealand, opting to bat first, set a formidable target of 215-3.

Their innings was a display of sheer power-hitting, with the batters smashing 13 sixes and 10 fours across their innings.

The partnership of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra was particularly noteworthy, combining for 113 runs and propelling New Zealand to their competitive total.

Conway, breaking free from a series of underwhelming performances, struck a much-needed 63 off 46 balls. Rachin, who had come in place of Kane Williamson, would continue his fine form against Australia with a 35-ball 68.

After having started off slowly, Rachin would slowly start to strike the ball sweetly as he took the attack to the Aussie bowlers.

Australia's run chase received an early jolt as Travis Head was dismissed with just 29 runs on the board. David Warner and Marsh would slowly rebuild things with the opener being the aggressor and scoring 32 off 20 balls.

Glenn Maxwell provided



some entertainment with his 11-ball 25, but it was ultimately down to Marsh and David to steer the ship home for the Aussies.

Australia's run chase was perfectly anchored by Captain Marsh, whose unbeaten 72 off 44 balls earned him the man of the match title. However, it was Tim David who stole the limelight towards the end.

With Australia needing 44 runs from the last 19 balls, David unleashed his fury, blasting two sixes and a four in the penultimate over. The drama peaked in the final over bowled by Tim Southee. After a couple of wides and a leg bye, David managed a miraculous six, leaving Australia with six runs needed off the last two deliveries.

The penultimate ball saw Marsh and David scampering for two, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

With four runs required off the final delivery, David faced Southee. The delivery, aimed full, was met with a powerful strike from David, sending the ball through mid-wicket and narrowly evading Glenn Phillips' dive to reach the boundary.

David's unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls and his partnership with Marsh helped Australia secure their third-highest successful run chase in T20s at 216-4.

The second match of the series will take place in Auckland on Friday, February 23.