NZ vs AUS 1st T20 Reactions: Mitch Marsh 72 (44) & Tim David 31 (10) seals thrilling win for Australia – CricBlog

Cricket News: NZ vs AUS 1st T20 Reactions: Mitch Marsh 72 (44) & Tim David 31 (10) seals thrilling win for Australia

The three-match T20I series between New Zealand and Australia got off to the most thrilling of starts. The visitors, courtesy of an unbelievable finish from Tim David, achieved their third-highest successful chase in T20Is, running down New Zealand’s 215 thanks to a four off the very last ball.

Australia kept up with the rate for the most part after a few slow overs to begin with. Mitchell Marsh, who played superbly for his 44-ball 72*, took control after Travis Head and David Warner struggled to find early momentum. Then, Glenn Maxwell (25 off 11 balls) kept things ticking.

However, Maxwell’s dismissal in the 11th over brought about a change in momentum. Josh Inglis supported Marsh, but the rate ballooned to over 14 an over with three left. A few deliveries later, Australia found themselves needing 32 off nine balls and were quickly heading into miracle territory.

But Tim David delivered. The right-hander has made a name for himself around the world thanks to his magnificent finishing ability and sent a timely reminder to those who continue to doubt his place in the Australian T20I lineup. He hit Tim Southee for a four and two sixes to bring the equation down to 16 to win off the last over, before holding his nerve to hit six off the final two balls – including a last-ball four past a full-length Glenn Phillips – to seal a memorable win.

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 Reactions: Australia chase 216 in front of big Wellington crowd

Earlier, New Zealand would have thought they had enough, ammassing their second-straight 200+ score against Australia in T20Is. Finn Allen (32 off 17) set the tone, before Rachin Ravindra overcame a scratchy start to post 68 off 35 balls.

Devon Conway (63 off 46) returned to form, before Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman took the Black Caps to 215 with a 41-run stand in 23 balls. But, it was to no avail in the end, with the Australians pulling off what seemed to be an improbable win.

Here is a look at some of the reactions to what was a thrilling T20I between the trans-tasman rivals.