Key posts
We are off
Finn Allen takes up strike and Mitchell Starc beats him past the outside edge for first ball.
Starc pitches up a wide for second ball on the legside.
A wild swing from Allen on the third ball, grazes him on the shoulder.
Bad miss from Matt Short on the legside with the ball going through his legs for one run.
Devon Conway punches the ball for a single putting Allen back on strike, who dodges a short ball from Starc.
Last ball is chaos, complete miscommunication between the batsmen, Conway sending Allen scrambling back, nearly causing a run out. Nervous start.
New Zealand 3-0
Anthems done and ready for first ball
The New Zealand anthem must be up there on a podium for one the world’s best, beautifully sung and a big crowd are in place in Wellington ready for the first ball.
Here we go..
Do you think Smith still has a role to play in T20s?
No Steve Smith tonight in lineup
The Australian lineup is out: Travis Head and David Warner to open as expected, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis taking up the gloves, Tim David, Matt Short, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood, but there’s no Steve Smith tonight in Wellington.
A Black Caps fan is installed early in WellingtonCredit: Getty
New Zealand win the toss and choose to bat
The Black Caps like the look of the deck and have elected to bat first on a beautiful night in Wellington.
Mitch Marsh was relieved with the decision as he said he was planning to bowl first anyway, given a fair bit of grass on the wicket.
Fans enter the Wellington stadium for the first game of the T20 series between New Zealand and AustraliaCredit: Getty
Smith under pressure
Steve Smith is under serious pressure to perform after a shaky series against the West Indies. Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that if he doesn’t open in the shorter format, then he shouldn’t be selected.
“I think his only position really is to open, because he has the skill in the game to maximise that first six overs brilliantly. He is a skilful player,” Vaughan told Fox Sports.
“But if he is not going to open, I don’t think he should play. If you are going to play him, he bats in the top two, and that is great. He will face 50 balls and get you an 80 or 90.
“If he is not going to open, I don’t see him having an impact in the middle order after the powerplay.”
Steve Smith in training ahead of the T20 New Zealand seriesCredit: Getty
What’s your call?!
Welcome to Wellywood
Welcome to the first game of the T20 series between New Zealand and Australia from Wellington in one of the last hitouts before the World Cup.
The Windy City has put on a fine evening in the high teens in the stadium affectionately known to locals as ‘The Cake Tin’.
Wellington gave the world director Peter Jackson, who has an obscure connection with cricket and this stadium, this could be pub trivia gold.
In 2002 during a break in a rather dull New Zealand and England ODI, Jackson got the 20,000 spectators to make howling noises that were later used in a Lord of the Rings battle scene.
Tickets have sold similarly well tonight, with at least 20,000 sold. Old rivalries matter, furious orcs or not.
It’s David Warner’s last dance in New Zealand and he will be looking forward to making a big impression tonight as he opens with Travis Head.
A reminder of the squads
Here’s a quick reminder of the squads for tonight:
Matthew Wade is out of tonight’s game due to the birth of his third child, giving Josh Inglis a prized opportunity to take up the keeper’s gloves for Australia.
A big out for the New Zealanders is the loss of Daryl Mitchell who will not feature at all in this series due to a foot injury, as he hopes to recover for the Test matches that will follow this series.
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
New Zealand T20 squad: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult
