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How to tune into Sport NationAustralia easily beat Blackcaps in T20 despite Robinson ton
Roger Vaughan, AAP • October 1st, 2025 11:20 pm
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Captain Mitch Marsh led the way as Australia dominated their opening T20 against New Zealand, winning by six wickets with 21 balls to spare.
Marsh top-scored with 85 and was man of the match in Wednesday's opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.
New Zealand were battling at 6/3 in the second over and in dire straits after losing the toss, with Ben Dwarshuis on a hat-trick.
The Australian captain stuck with his field-first policy, despite Tauranga's Bay Oval historically favouring the side that bats first.
That looked like it might hold as Tim Robinson led the home team's recovery. He scored his first white-ball international century, ending the innings with a four and a six to reach 106no from just 66 balls, with six fours and five sixes.
Robinson and Daryl Mitchell (34) had a partnership of 92 - a fourth-wicket record for Australia-New Zealand men's T20s - as the home side reached 181/6 in cold and blustery conditions.
Tim Robinson scores maiden T20 century vs Australia | Sport Nation Cricket
The Australians' fielding was below-par, with several spilt catches.
While Travis Head dropped two chances, he was also involved in the highlight of the match late in the New Zealand innings.
Marcus Stoinis stopped a boundary and flicked the ball between his legs to Head, whose excellent throw caught Bevon Jacobs just short for 20.
The absence of Glenn Maxwell with a fractured arm could have been a significant blow to Australia as the run chase looked tricky.
But Marsh and Head (31) piled on 67 in the first six overs. Matt Short (29) then joined his captain in a 68-run partnership that ensured Australia's win.
A century went begging for Marsh when he holed out to Robinson at deep cover, his knock lasting 43 balls and featuring nine fours and five sixes.
Blackcaps lose three wickets inside first two overs of T20 series opener vs Australia | Sport Nation Cricket
Australia cruised to 185/4 from 15.3 overs, with the next two games in the series on Friday and Saturday night at the same venue.
Dwarshuis took 2/40 and New Zealand's Matt Henry snared 2/43, while Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa was wicketless but only gave up 27 from his four overs.
The tourists wore black armbands for Alex Carey, whose father Gordon died last week.
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of the second T20 between the Blackcaps and Australia this Friday, coverage starts 7pm.
