Despite New Zealand’s superior form on the home turf, their archrivals Australia have got the better of them in the shortest format of the game in recent outings. This uncertainty makes the upcoming T20I series, which is scheduled to start from February 22, Monday, all more intense.
New Zealand will host Australia in five T20Is across two weeks, giving the Kiwis sufficient chances to improve their record against the Aussies in this format. New Zealand have played Australia five times in their backyard, losing on four occasions.
| NZ vs AUS T20Is in New Zealand | ||
| New Zealand | Metrics | Australia |
| 5 | Matches | 5 |
| 1 | Wins | 4 |
| 20% | Win Percentage | 80% |
If considered the overall record as well, New Zealand have been the inferior side in terms of results. They have clashed with Australia nine times in the T20Is, losing on seven occasions and winning twice.
The hosts have, however, been a strong side when it comes to a bilateral series in their backyard. New Zealand have won three of the last five bi-lateral series that were played, where they won against India, Pakistan, and West Indies. While India defeated them once, the other team to beat them at home is England.
Further in New Zealand's favour is their form. While the Kiwis have won four of their last five T20I matches, Australia have won just twice in their last five T20I contests. While New Zealand have hit 16.4 boundaries and 8.6 sixes on an average in their last five T20I matches, Australia have averaged 12.6 fours and 5.4 sixes in the same number of matches.
Skipper Kane Williamson, however, will not be very optimistic about his team's chances against Australia owing to the form of his batsmen. New Zealand averages a first-innings total of 178.4 in the last five matches in home, the Aussies boast of superior 191.6 in the same number if matches away from home.
Hence, the differential might end up on individual performances. And both the sides have some brilliant match-winners.
| Top NZ scorers in last five T20I matches | |||||||
| Players | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Average | 100 | 50 |
| TL Seifert | 6 | 5 | 211 | 84* | 52.75 | 0 | 2 |
| GD Phillips | 6 | 4 | 184 | 108 | 46 | 1 | 0 |
| DP Conway | 6 | 4 | 174 | 65* | 58 | 0 | 2 |
| Top AUS scorers in last five T20I matches |
|||||||
| Players | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Average | 100 | 50 |
| MS Wade | 4 | 4 | 159 | 80 | 39.75 | 0 | 2 |
| GJ Maxwell | 5 | 5 | 110 | 54 | 22 | 0 | 1 |
Despite Australia approaching the T20I series as the team lacking form, Aaron Finch and Co. are expected to win the series in New Zealand.
Feature Image courtesy: AFP/ Ian Kington
