NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

The series will be played for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy [X.com]

New Zealand and Australia resume their historic Trans-Tasman rivalry with the opening game of the three-match T20I series on Wednesday (February 21). The BlackCaps face-off against their perennial nemesis in the two teams' final T20I assignment ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June. 

The series will be played for the prestigious Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, which was previously only contested for the One-Day series played between the two countries. It is an exciting match-up between the finalists of the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup in Dubai.

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Team Previews 

New Zealand 

New Zealand have had a dominant run in T20Is recently, winning five of their eight matches played in the ongoing summer, including a fantastic 4-1 series scoreline against Pakistan. The BlackCaps, however, would be aware this will be their stiffest challenge of the season. Especially after losing multiple first-choice players.

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Apart from regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is out on paternity leave, stand-in captain Mitchell Santner's side will also be missing key middle-order player Daryl Mitchell as well as Tim Seifert and Matt Henry out with injuries. 

Allrounder James Neesham is unavailable for selection and experienced pacer Tim Southee won't be playing the series after the first T20I to manage his workload.

Australia 

For Australia, the injury to experienced allrounder Marcus Stoinis disrupted the plans, especially as his backup choice Aaron Hardie, too, went down with a calf injury and was ruled out of the tour. 

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In the absence of the two players, it would be a task for Australia to balance out their first-choice playing XI without overburdening fellow utility allrounders Glenn Maxwell and skipper Mitchell Marsh, both of whom can be injury-prone and require their bowling workloads to be shared.

Vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade is unavailable for the opening T20I due to the impending birth of his third child before returning in time for the pair of matches in Auckland later in the series.

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Wellington Pitch Report

With a flat batting surface, tiny boundary dimensions and an extremely fast outfield, Wellington's Sky Stadium is another ground ideal for T20I action. Batters love their time out in the middle at one of New Zealand's most famous venues because of the true nature of the surface with their well-timed strokes sailing over the ropes consistently. One can expect a high-scoring game to set-up the three-match series. 

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Short, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

NZ vs AUS, 1st T20I: Winner Prediction

Given the history of the rivalry and the psychological advantage they've had against the BlackCaps over the years, Australia begin the three-match T20I series as favourites.

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