New Zealand and Australia played out a thriller in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, with the visitors coming out on top by the barest of margins.
The teams will renew hostilities in Auckland on Friday, as the Black Caps attempt to keep the series alive.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the contest with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
New Zealand vs Australia 2nd T20 Preview & Betting Tips
Eden Park, Auckland, Friday February 23rd, 5:10pm (AEDT)
Squads
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult
Match Preview
Game 1 set the scene for an entertaining series, with Australia triumphing on the final ball of the match.
The hosts started well, with opening batters Finn Allen and Devon Conway blasting Australia’s quicks in a 61-run opening stand.
Rachin Ravindra picked up from where Allen left off, smashing 68 off 35 as part of a 113-run partnership with Conway, who finished with 63 runs of his own.
The efforts of those top three propelled the Black Caps to 3/215 from 20 overs, with skipper Mitch Marsh the best of the Australian bowlers (1/21 off 3).
While NZ were impressive with the bat, Australia have plenty of batting weapons of their own, and that was immediately apparent in the chase.
Head and Warner both made starts, but it was Marsh who stole the show, belting 72 off 44 including seven maximums.
He was ably assisted by Glenn Maxwell (25 off 11), before Tim David played a starring hand, rescuing the chase with an unbeaten 31 off 10, including a boundary off the final ball of the match to seal a dramatic triumph.
The teams are clearly evenly matched, although Australia may possess more hitting power across the board.
Despite that, I’m willing to show continued faith in the Black Caps, who were in the box seat for much of the first encounter and now present even better value.
New Zealand to Win
$2.75 (1 Unit)
Prop Bets
Finn Allen and Devon Conway put on 61 on Wednesday night, more than doubling the Australian pair of Head and Warner. Both the NZ openers are class acts, and Australia have struggled with their bowling during the powerplay for a while now.
Highest Opening Partnership – New Zealand $1.92 (BoomBet)
Ferguson was New Zealand’s best bowler in Wellington, finishing with 1/23 from four overs. The tearaway quick managed five wickets from three matches against Pakistan, and tends to bowl the crunch overs that often yield wicket taking opportunities.
New Zealand Top Wicket Taker – Lockie Ferguson $4.65 (BoomBet)
