The Trans-Tasman rivalry takes centrestage as Australia travels to New Zealand for a three-match T20I series. The first match is scheduled to take place in Tauranga on Wednesday.
The Aussies are coming off a white-ball series against South Africa at home. While they won the T20Is 2-1, they lost the ODI series 1-2 after being bundled out for 155 while chasing 432 runs in the third match.
Meanwhile, New Zealand last played a white-ball series in July, when they faced off against Zimbabwe and South Africa in a Tri-Series. They won the tournament after beating the Proteas by three runs in the final.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
New Zealand vs. Australia 1st T20I live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this T20I match in Australia:
- TV Channel: Fox Cricket (Channel 501)
- Live Stream: Kayo, Foxtel
This game is available for the live TV broadcast on dedicated cricket channel Fox Cricket. You can also live stream this game on Kayo and Foxtel.
New users to Kayo can currently sign up to a FREE trial.
What time does New Zealand vs. Australia 1st T20I start?
This T20I match takes place at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand, and starts off on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at 7:15 p.m. local time (NZDT).
Here's how that time translates across Australia:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 4:15 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 3:45 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Wed, Oct. 1 | 2:15 p.m. |
New Zealand vs. Australia predicted lineups, team news
After excellent performances in the Tri-Series, southpaws Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra will continue opening the batting for the Kiwis, although Ravindra is under a concussion protocol after taking a knock in practice.
Tim Seifert is New Zealand's in-form batter and the leading run scorer with 445 runs this calendar year. He anchors a solid middle order, which also features all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.
The four-man pace attack includes Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry, supported by the wrist spin option of Ish Sodhi.
New Zealand predicted XI: Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert, Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry.
Australia have won seven of their last eight T20 matches in 2025 and should be strong favourites. However, they will miss the services of Glenn Maxwell, who suffered a fractured arm in training and has been ruled out of the series.
They have an explosive opening duo of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who will once again look to give the team a quick start.
Allrounder Marcus Stoinis will slot into the middle order, offering power-hitting with the bat and impactful overs with the ball. Matthew Short could replace injured Maxwell directly as an off-spin all-rounder, or the team could go with Mitchell Owen. Meanwhile, Tim David has been unstoppable this year and will be their finisher.
Josh Hazlewood leads the four-man pace attack which includes Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshius and Xavier Bartlett, supported by the specialist leg spinner Adam Zampa.
Australia predicted XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Alex Carey (wk), Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshius, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Hazlewood.
Australia tour of New Zealand 2025 schedule
All times AEST
- First T20I: October 1, Mount Maunganui (4:15 p.m.)
- Second T20I: October 3, Mount Maunganui (4:15 p.m.)
- Third T20I: October 4, Mount Maunganui (4:15 p.m.)