Chasing a colossal 216, Australia’s dynamic duo left the Kiwis bruised and bewildered with a sensational last-ball win.
Marsh, the Aussie captain, flexed his all-round muscles, blasting his way to an unbeaten 72, while David, the finisher extraordinaire, hammered 31 off just 10 balls, sealing the deal with a boundary that left the crowd speechless. Australia’s triumph marked a thrilling start to the battle for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and sent a strong message ahead of the T20 World Cup.
What a game! A nail-biting match sees @CricketAus take the win by 6 wickets over @BLACKCAPS, and take the lead in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series, 1-0.
Thanks to everyone for coming out and showing their support! what an epic crowd 🖤
📸 – @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/hGWL91dCNZ
— Sky Stadium (@skystadium) February 21, 2024
The match was nothing short of a rollercoaster, with New Zealand setting a formidable target thanks to Conway’s comeback half-century. However, their bowlers crumbled under the Aussie onslaught, failing to defend their impressive total.
Despite early wickets and a hostile reception for Warner, Marsh stood tall, wielding his bat like a sword. With Australia needing a near-impossible 32 off the last nine balls, David stepped up, unleashing a barrage of sixes and boundaries, snatching victory from the clutches of defeat.
New Zealand’s pace duo, Milne and Ferguson, delivered a masterclass in speed and swing, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Aussie juggernaut. Ferguson’s lightning-fast deliveries and accurate yorkers had the Aussies sweating, but a few costly fielding errors, including a missed catch that could have seen Marsh walking back, tipped the scales in Australia’s favour.
Australia’s bowling lineup, bolstered by the return of heavyweights Starc and Cummins, initially put the brakes on New Zealand’s scoring. Yet, it was Marsh’s clever use of slower balls that proved crucial, showcasing his value not just with the bat but also with the ball.
On the Kiwi side, Conway’s return to form and Ravindra’s explosive batting were highlights, but not enough to fend off the Aussies’ late charge.
Australia 216 for 4 (Marsh 72*, Warner 32, David 31*, Santner 2-42) beat New Zealand 215 for 3 (Ravindra 68, Conway 63, Marsh 1-21) by six wickets.
