New Zealand vs Australia T20I Match 3 Tips - Australia to claim series under ominous skies

Australia will be looking to close out the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series when they face New Zealand in the third and final T20 International at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on October 4.

The Aussies lead the series 1-0 after a commanding win in the opener, while the second game was abandoned due to rain. That result ensured they retained the trophy, but New Zealand will be desperate to level things up with a strong showing at home, however, the early forecast suggests that this match may also be decided by the weather. 

Mitch Marsh is in explosive form, having hammered 72 from 38 balls in Game 1, while Tim Robinson was the star for the Black Caps with a brilliant unbeaten century. The contest will again hinge on New Zealand’s ability to start better in the Powerplay after being reduced to 3-6 in the opener, while Australia’s depth with bat and ball continues to shine.

Australia picked up a 3-0 series sweep the last time the two sides played each other in February 2024, also in New Zealand.

The two sides have now met on 20 occasions in T20 Internationals with Australia holding a dominant record of 14 wins to 5, while there has also been a tie. In New Zealand, that ledger stands at 11-3 in favour of the Aussies.

New Zealand were competitive in the opener thanks to Tim Robinson’s 106* but have struggled with injuries to key top-order players such as Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips. That left their batting thin, and despite Robinson and Daryl Mitchell’s rescue act, their early collapse proved decisive.

With the ball, Jacob Duffy impressed in the short-lived second game by removing Travis Head, but Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi have been unable to exert sustained pressure. Captain Michael Bracewell will need more from his bowlers and fielders after missed chances proved costly in Game 1.

The Kiwis will take heart from Robinson’s emergence but require greater all-round contributions to trouble the Australians.

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Australia continue their red-hot T20 form, winning 15 of their past 17 matches since last year’s World Cup. Marsh’s blistering knock in Game 1, supported by Travis Head and Matt Short in the Powerplay, highlighted their batting firepower, while Tim David and Marcus Stoinis add further muscle through the middle and death overs.

The bowling unit set up the victory in the opener, with Hazlewood and Dwarshuis ripping through New Zealand’s top order. Zampa went wicketless but was tidy, while Short’s off-spin was handy in Glenn Maxwell’s absence. Sean Abbott came in for Game 2 before rain curtailed play, showing selectors are still rotating seam options.

Australia’s balance and confidence make them clear favourites, though they will remain wary of Robinson after his century.

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa