Australia stamped their authority in the T20I series opener as skipper Mitchell Marsh smashed a blistering 85 off 43 balls to guide his side to a comfortable win over New Zealand at Bay Oval.
Despite Tim Robinson’s stunning unbeaten century (106* off 66) lifting the Black Caps to 181/6, the target was chased down with ease as Australia wrapped up victory with 21 balls to spare.
The visitors now hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and head into the 2nd T20I at Mount Maunganui on October 3, 2025, with confidence, while New Zealand will look to bounce back and level the contest.
Explore live odds, predictions, and betting guides in the TSN betting section.
New Zealand vs Australia: Who Will Win?
New Zealand enter the second T20I seeking a turnaround after their batting collapse and leaky bowling cost them the opener, despite Tim Robinson’s century. Australia, powered by Mitchell Marsh’s explosive knock and strong bowling, hold the momentum and look set to extend their advantage.
The Sporting News Prediction for NZ vs. AUS
- If teams batting first: Australia 180–190, New Zealand 155–165
- Australia to win by around 20–25 runs if batting first, or by 6–7 wickets if chasing.
Head-to-head record: New Zealand vs Australia in T20Is
The trans-Tasman rivalry has been one-sided in T20Is, with Australia holding a clear edge over New Zealand. Out of 20 matches played between the two sides, Australia have won 14, while New Zealand have managed just 6 victories.
- Total matches: 20
- New Zealand wins: 6
- Australia wins: 14
- Tied/No result: 0
Top players to watch: Batters & Bowlers
Batters to watch
Tim Robinson (NZ): The top-order batter is in sensational form, having smashed a match-winning 106* off 66 balls in the first T20I. His aggressive stroke play and ability to anchor the innings make him the key wicket to target for Australia.
Mitchell Marsh (AUS): The Australian captain and middle-order batter played a match-defining 85 off 43 balls, showcasing his power-hitting and ability to accelerate the innings. He remains the key to Australia’s batting dominance.
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Bowlers to watch
Josh Hazlewood (AUS): The experienced pacer impressed with two wickets in the first match, combining control and pace. His ability to break partnerships early makes him a crucial player for Australia in the upcoming clash.
Matt Henry (NZ): The pacer struggled slightly but picked up 2 wickets for 43 runs in 4 overs. His experience and ability to extract bounce make him a player to watch for New Zealand, especially with the new ball.
NZ vs. AUS betting odds & tips: Who has the edge?
For the second T20I, Australia are firm favourites according to Dafabet, with odds of 1.36, reflecting their dominant performance in the first match. New Zealand at 3.16, face an uphill battle but can stay competitive if key players like Tim Robinson fire again.
Odds* (click here to bet) | |
New Zealand | 3.16 |
Australia | 1.36 |
*odds are correct at the time of publish
TSN’s Top 3 Predictions:
- Total Runs Over/Under: The first T20I saw 181/6 from New Zealand and 182/20 from Australia. Betting over 170.5 runs for the match is a solid option.
- Top Scorer: Mitchell Marsh showed explosive form in the first T20I. He is a strong pick to be Australia’s top scorer again.
- Boundary Count: Both sides have aggressive batters. Back over 14.5 sixes in the match given Marsh, Robinson, and other power hitters.
New Zealand vs Australia: Expected playing XIs and team news
New Zealand Team News
New Zealand are likely to retain a similar lineup from the first T20I. Tim Robinson, fresh off his unbeaten century, will be the focal point in the middle order. Tim Seifert remains the wicketkeeper-batter, with Devon Conway providing stability at the top.
The bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, will see minor tweaks as the team looks to strengthen their death-over options. Injuries haven’t affected the squad significantly, so continuity is expected.
New Zealand (predicted playing XI): Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell (c), Bevon Jacobs, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Tim Robinson, Matt Henry
Australia Team News
Australia enter the second T20I with a full-strength squad, led by Mitchell Marsh. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis continue to provide firepower in the middle order, while David Warner remains the attacking opener. Josh Hazlewood spearheads the pace attack, supported by Adam Zampa in the spin department. The team aims to maintain momentum and can make only minor strategic changes if required.
Australia (predicted playing XI): David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis
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NZ vs. AUS live scorecard: 2nd T20I
To follow the action between New Zealand vs Australia live, you can make use of the live scorecard feature on Parimatch's website.
Navigate to the game of your choice and click the scorecard icon to follow along, and bet live with the action with a trusted site.
Where to watch NZ vs. AUS 2nd T20I in India
- Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Date & Time (IST): Thursday, October 3, 11:45 a.m
- Live Telecast & Streaming Details: Sony LIV app & website
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