NZ vs AUS 1st T20I: Tim David Cameo Seals Last-Ball Thriller For Australia in Wellington

Tim David's late cameo helped Australia seal a 6-wicket win over New Zealand in the first T20I, which was last-ball thriller at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Wednesday (February 21).

With 35 need off 12 balls, David smashed an unbeaten 31 off 10 balls, including a boundary from the last delivery to help Australia pull off their third highest run chase in the shortest format.

Highest Successful Run Chases by Australia in T20I

245 vs New Zealand in Auckland (2018)
225 vs India in Guwahati (2023)
216 vs New Zealand in Wellington (2024)
211 vs India in Mohali (2022)
205 vs South Africa in Johannesburg (2016)

The 27-year-old, who arrived at the fall of Josh Inglis' wicket in the 17th over, forged a 44-run stand with his skipper Mitchell Marsh, who also scored an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls as the pair helped the visiting side claim a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Apart from Marsh and David, Travis Head (24 off 15), David Warner (32 off 20 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (25 off 11 balls) also made useful contributions with the bat for Australia. For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson (1 for 23) was the pick of the bowlers.

David hit 2 fours and 3 sixes in his cameo with three coming in the 19th over bowled by Adam Milne and two in the final over bowled by Tim Southee. Marsh too hit seven maximums in the match, taking the overall tally to 17 in the innings.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway's onslaught powered New Zealand to 215/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Ravindra (68 off 35 balls) and Conway (63 off 46 balls) shared a 113-run stand for the second wicket.

Apart from Ravindra and Conway, opener Finn Allen (32 runs from 17 balls) also made useful contribution, adding a fifty plus stand for the first wicket, while Glenn Phillips (19* off 10 balls) and Mark Chapman (18 off 13 balls) ensured New Zealand went past 200.

For Australia, Marsh was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 1 for 21 in 3 overs as the experienced trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa bowled costly spells that saw New Zealadn hit 13 sixes in their innings.

New Zealand led by Mitchell Santner will look to bounce back and level the series when they host Australia at the Eden Park in Aucklan for the second T20I on Friday (February 23).