Ravindra, Conway's blitzkrieg propel Nz to 215/3 against Aus in 1st T20I

WELLINGTON: Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway's onslaught powered New Zealand to 215/3 against Australia in the 1st T20I match at Sky Stadium in Wellington. After winning the toss, the Kiwis decided to bat first and their decision did not disappoint them in the first inning.

Finn Allen (32 runs from 17 balls) and Devon Conway (63 runs from 46 balls) opened for the Kiwis and gave a powerful start to them. They played a strong 61-run partnership till Mitchell Starc made the first breakthrough of the game in the 6th over. In the first powerplay, the Kiwis scored 68 runs. Meanwhile, Australia picked just one wicket.

Allen slammed 2 fours and 3 sixes with a strike rate of 188.24. New Zealand reached the 100-run mark in the 10.1 overs after playing 62 balls.

After the dismissal of Allen, Rachin Ravindra (68 runs from 35 balls) came to the crease and continued to dominate the game with Conway. Ravindra and the Kiwi wicketkeeper-batter played a partnership of 113 runs till Pat Cummins dismissed the 24-year-old in the 16th over. Ravindra smashed 2 fours and 6 sixes with a strike rate of 194.29.

Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh dismissed Conway in the 17th over. Conway hit 5 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 136.96. The hosts reached the 200-run mark in the 18.6 over after facing 115 balls.

Till the last over of the first inning, Glenn Phillips (19* runs from 10 balls) and Mark Chapman (18* runs from 13 balls) were on the crease for the Kiwis to put some extra runs on the scoreboard. On the other hand, the visitors have failed to make a mark in the first inning. Starc, Cummins, and Marsh were the only bowlers to pick wickets in the game.

Australia need to make 216 runs in the second inning to win the first T20I match in Wellington. Brief score: New Zealand 215/3 (Devon Conway 63, Rachin Ravindra 68, Finn Allen 32; Mitchell Marsh 1/21) vs Australia.