AUS vs NZ Today Match Prediction- 1st T20I, Who Will Win Today’s T20I Match? 2024

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The AUS vs NZ T20I series kicks off with the first T20I in Wellington on February 21. The match starts at 11.40 am IST and is the first of the three games.

The series continues preparations for both teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament will be played in June 2024 hosted jointly by USA and West Indies.

The first T20I will be played on February 21, the second on Fen 23, and the third on Feb 25. The two teams then play a two-match Test series. Wellington hosts the first Test from Feb-29-March 4 and Christchurch the second from March 8-12.

Team Analysis

Australia

Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh. He will continue to lead the side with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc returning to the side. Australia will miss a few key players Aaron Hardie and Marcus Stoinsi who played the last T20I series against West Indies.

The squad will also be without Spencer Johnson who replaced the injured Nathan Ellis who is back in this side. David Warner will continue to play T20I cricket after retiring from Test and ODI.

New Zealand

New Zealand will be led by Mitchell Santner. Trent Boult is back in New Zealand colors for the T20I series. He is aiming to play in the T20 World Cup and hence looking to play all T20Is for the side. The squad misses a few key players.

Kane Williamson is on parental leave. Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell is out with a foot injury along with Michael Bracewell who is recovering from a finger injury. Jimmy Neesham is playing in the Bangladesh Premier League and hence missing the series. The squad has an uncapped all-rounder in Josh Clarkson.

Also Read: Kyle Jamieson ruled out of cricketing action for another year due to stress fracture

Key Factors

Pitch Conditions

Generally conditions in New Zealand aid seam and swing bowling in Test and ODI cricket. However, the pitch conditions aid the batters in the T20I format as it does in any part of the world while playing this format. The venue has hosted 21 T20Is with 10 matches won by the team batting first and 11 by teams chasing.

Thus the pitch remains intact throughout the 40 overs of play. Meanwhile, due to the rain threat in New Zealand, the venue uses drop-in pitches like most other pitches in New Zealand for T20Is that aid batting.

Form and fitness

While the form of batters and bowlers from both teams is good there are injury concerns in both camps. New Zealand is missing Daryl Mitchell (foot injury) and Michael Bracewell (finger injury) due to injury concerns.

The Aussies on the other hand, are missing Marcus Stoinis (back injury). Aaron Hardie who was named as Stoinis’s replacement is also ruled out with a calf injury. Cricket Australia confirmed that Spencer Johnson has been called into the squad immediately to replace Aaron Hardie in the squad.

Tactical Acumen

The Kiwis will be led by Mitchell Santner while the Aussies by Mitchell Marsh. While Santner has been leading the Kiwis for a few years now, especially in the T20I format, Marsh’s tactics as captain will be an interesting observation. He has plenty of leadership experience to fall back on.

Recent Venue Records (Sky Stadium, Wellington)

STATS – T20

Total matches 21

Matches won batting first 10

Matches won bowling first 11

Average 1st Inns scores 150

Average 2nd Inns scores 125

Highest total recorded 219/6 (20 Ov) by NZ vs IND

Lowest total recorded 73/10 (15.3 Ov) by AUSW vs NZW

Highest score chased 163/6 (19 Ov) by NZ vs WI

Lowest score defended 128/9 (20 Ov) by ENGW vs NZW

Who Will Score Most Runs For New Zealand: Glenn Phillips / Rachin Ravindra

Who Will Take Most Wickets For New Zealand: Tim Southee / Mitchell Santner

Who Will Score Most Runs For Australia: David Warner / Tim David

Who Will Take Most Wickets For Australia: Mitchell Starc / Azam Zampa