NZ vs AUS third T20I preview | New Zealand aim to go level after rain has final say in previous game

‌New Zealand will hope the rain gods will stay away when they line up to meet Australia in the third T20I at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday. The three-match series is well-poised at 1-0 after the visitors won the first duel by six wickets on Wednesday. The Kiwis will have one last chance to level the series after the second game, also at the same venue, was washed out after just 2.1 overs of play.

Tim Robinson has received the opportunity to feature in the playing eleven with both hands with his maiden T20I ton in the first game. He came into the side after Rachin Ravindra was ruled out of the series with a major laceration to his face, and will have another go to cement his place in the side ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh once again displayed his side’s newfound aggression in this format with a whirlwind half-century that saw them make a mockery of a 182-run chase. Other batters also perfectly fitted into the template, with none of them striking below a rate of 160, but for Alex Carey.  

Form Guide

NZ Form: W W W L NR

AUS Form: W L W W NR

NZ vs AUS head-to-head in T20Is

Australia have a superior record against their Trans-Tasman rivals in the T20 format with 14 wins in 21 matches, while the Kiwis have won just five. One match has ended in a tie with the last game ending without a result.

NZ 5 - 14 AUS

Pitch and Conditions

The surface at the Bay Oval is expected to be flat with blustery and overcast conditions set to continue for the third game as well. The batters are expected to have a good time again once the initial threat with the new ball is seen off. With conditions expected to get better as the game progresses and with rain looming large, both captains may choose to chase in the decisive game.

It will be a cloudy night with brief spells of rain at Bay Oval and temperatures expected to be around 10 degrees.

Team News

The Kiwis are expected to bring Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes back into the side in place of Ben Sears and James Neesham, respectively, while Australia will play Ben Dwarshuis ahead of Sean Abbott

NZ Expected XI

Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Zakary Foulkes, Michael Bracewell (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

AUS Expected XI

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Tim David, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Broadcasting Platforms 

The NZ vs AUS third T20I match will be digitally streamed on the SonyLiv app and website in India from 11:45 AM IST on Saturday, with a live telecast of the same on Sony Sports Network.