New Zealand vs Australia - 1st T20I

That is it from this game! New Zealand has completely decimated Australia and taken a 1-0 lead in this 5-match series. Australia will look to put this loss behind them and come back stronger to level the series. The second T20I will be played on Thursday, 25th February 2021. That game begins at 1400 local (0100 GMT). Make sure to join us for that one. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson starts by praising the incredible knock that Devon played and adds those partnerships in the middle order were wonderful and that it was a great effort by them to get to the 180-run mark. Says that there were a lot of breaks and there was excitement as they wanted to come back and play and it was an outstanding effort from the boys, with the ball especially. Talking about the Christchurch earthquake that occurred 10 years ago, Kane shares that it is a significant day for them and several players came to the memorial before the match and it was great to see the growth that happened in the city. Ends by saying that the fans love coming here to the Hagley Oval. 

The Australian skipper, Aaron Finch says that it feels like it has been a long time since they played in front of fans. Admits they did not play well and New Zealand did well. Credits Conway for his innings and feels that he deserved his 100. Finch believes the partnership between Phillips and Conway was the turning point. Adds that the Powerplay when they batted took the game away from him. Finch says it is good to have debutants but is disappointed not to get the win for the new boys. 

Devon Conway is the Player of the Match! He says that he just played strong shots and just wanted to run hard between the wickets. Says that there are nerves in every game but it was a great opportunity to build an innings for him. Feels that he is very happy and wants to keep the momentum going and is glad that they have started off with a win. Opines that he wants to just maintain the same momentum and he just tries to play his strong shots. Shares that he is slightly disappointed as he did not get his 100 but also says that he was feeling sad for Ish Sodhi as he did not get his fifer.

Earlier in the evening, New Zealand were asked to bat. They were off to a horrible start but Australia were treated to a Conway show. His unbeaten 99 with some solid support from Phillips and Neesham saw the hosts finish with 184. A score that was too good for the tourists to scale.

Excellent bowling display from the Kiwis. They were right on the money from the get-go as their swing kings, Southee and Boult got them off to a perfect start with 2 wickets each in the Powerplay. Jamieson was a little expensive for his wicket. Sodhi and Santner came in at a very good time to bowl and the Ish finished with 4/28 from his 4. Overall, it was a brilliant bowling display all around.

Chasing 185, Australia needed a solid start but what they got was anything but a solid start. They lost 4 wickets inside the Powerplay with very few runs on the board and when that happens in a big chase it is difficult to fightback. No one except Marsh showed any fight and his 45 was the only shining light in an otherwise abysmal chase.

A comprehensive win for the Kiwis and they start off this 5-game T20I series against their Trans-Tasman rivals with a comfortable and dominant win. A very timid performance from the Aussies and they have a lot of work to do before the second T20I.

Boult is back. Trent Boult to try and finish things off here. 2/14 from his first spell of 2 overs. 

The last man in is Adam Zampa.

Change in bowling as Mitchell Santner is back.

Kane Richardson joins Jhye out in the middle.

Into the bowlers and Jhye Richardson is the first one out to bat amongst those. 

Sodhi is back! Change of ends for the leggie!

Daniel Sams is the new man in.