Marsh's Blistering 85 Powers Australia to 6-Wicket Win Over New Zealand

Mitch Marsh unleashes a powerful shot

Australia's Mitchell Marsh blasted a quickfire 85 off 43 balls, including 9 fours and 5 sixes, to lead his team to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the series-opening T20I.

“We did well in the batting unit to be able to put a competitive total on the board...”

Australia's Mitch Marsh blasted a quickfire 85 off 43 balls, leading his team to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the series-opening T20I. Marsh's explosive innings included nine fours and five sixes, helping Australia chase down New Zealand's total of 181 for six with 21 balls to spare.

Despite Tim Robinson's maiden T20I century, scoring 106 not out off 66 balls, New Zealand's efforts were not enough to secure a win. Robinson's innings included six fours and five sixes, but Australia's bowlers did well to restrict New Zealand's score. Adam Zampa had a brilliant spell, conceding just 27 runs without taking any wickets.

“It's a nice entry, obviously really important in a three-match series to start off with a win,” said Marsh.

“Tonight was a lot of fun ... We do have a lot of power in our batting lineup (and) hopefully it can continue.”

A 23-ball fifty for Mitch Marsh ⚡️

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— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 1, 2025

New Zealand's international summer kicked off with a bang, albeit with significant absences. Regular captain Mitchell Santner was nowhere to be found, while Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were also missing, with Ravindra sidelined due to a facial laceration requiring stitches he sustained during a training session. On the bright side, Kyle Jamieson returned from paternity leave, bolstering the team's pace attack alongside Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, and Jacob Duffy.

Mitch Marsh teed off in the chase 🚀

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— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 

October 1, 2025

However, the Kiwis' bowling unit struggled to contain the opposition, particularly during the powerplay. The quartet was taken apart, conceding 68 runs in the opening overs. Marsh and Travis Head, who scored 31, were instrumental in the opposition's strong start, exploiting the New Zealand bowlers and setting up their team for a promising beginning.

New Zealand's Momentary Success

Matt Henry provided some respite for New Zealand by dismissing Travis Head and later having Marsh caught by Tim Robinson at deep cover. However, these breakthroughs came too late to change the course of the game, as Australia had already built a strong foundation.

Australia's Unstoppable Run Chase

Matt Short contributed 29 runs at number three, while Tim David and Alex Carey added 24 runs in a crucial partnership. In the end, Marcus Stoinis, who was recalled to the team, faced just one delivery and sealed the win with a pull shot to the boundary, securing a six-wicket victory for Australia.

Despite being without Pat Cummins due to injury and all-rounder Cameron Green, who opted out to focus on the Ashes, Australia's bowling unit shone in the first T20I against New Zealand. Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis were instrumental in dismantling the New Zealand top order, claiming three crucial wickets within the first two overs.

Hazlewood and Dwarshuis's pace and precision left the New Zealand batters struggling to cope. Their impressive opening spell set the tone for the match, restricting New Zealand's scoring opportunities and ultimately contributing to a competitive total of 181 for six. Tim Robinson's maiden century, an unbeaten 106 off 66 balls, provided some spark for the hosts.

Australia chased down the target with ease, thanks to Mitchell Marsh's explosive 85 off 43 balls, which included five sixes and nine fours. Marsh's partnership with Travis Head, who scored 31, laid the foundation for Australia's six-wicket victory, achieved with 21 balls to spare.

Tim Robinson, who was called up to the New Zealand squad after Rachin Ravindra's injury, gave the home fans something to cheer about with an unbeaten 106 off 66 balls. However, despite his impressive knock, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against Australia's bowlers.

Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa were instrumental in keeping the New Zealand batters in check. Hazlewood's pace and Zampa's spin ensured that the runs were scarce, resulting in a modest total of 181 for six. This disciplined bowling performance set the stage for Australia's dominant run chase.

“In the powerplays in both innings we got a little bit behind the game,” said New Zealand stand-in skipper Michael Bracewell.

“We did well in the batting unit to be able to put a competitive total on the board.

“(But) when Mitch and Travis came out the way they did, they took the game away from us -- and we were fighting for a bit of momentum after that.”