Baskadia

New Zealand has a point to prove

Regular captain Kane Williamson, who recently guided the Black Caps to a historic Test series victory against South Africa, won't be available. The youthful Mitchell Santner will take on the captain's hat in his place with the intention of giving the visitors a hard time here at home. Important players like Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, and Trent Boult (for the first game) will also be missed by New Zealand. But their batting order is strengthened by players like Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, and Finn Allen.

Australia is in top form, looking to continue dominance

With players like Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell, Australia will field a formidable team, unlike the one that played India following the ODI World Cup. They will be looking to continue this form against their trans-Tasman opponents after a commanding 2-1 series victory over the West Indies. An emotional component to the battle is added by the fact that this series is especially significant to David Warner, as it is his final bilateral T20 series for Australia.

Watch live cricket for free on Winexch. Winch streams a live match of New Zealand vs. Australia. If you missed out on the live match, you can watch today's cricket match highlights.

High-scoring encounter expected on a batting-friendly pitch

The opening Twenty20 match will take place at Wellington's Sky Stadium, which is believed to be more batsman-friendly, indicating a high-scoring match. A thrilling match is anticipated because to the presence of elite bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Tim Southee, as well as both teams' potent batting lineups.

Head-to-head record favors Australia

Australia has won 10 of the 16 Twenty20 matches versus New Zealand, giving them a slim advantage in the head-to-head record. But in their final encounter at the 2022 T20 World Cup, the Black Caps prevailed, winning by a commanding 89 runs. This heightens the suspense for the impending series since both sides will be vying for supremacy.

Key players to watch out for:

• Finn Allen (NZ): The young player has been playing really well and has the ability to shut out the opposition on a powerplay on his own.
  

• David Warner (AUS): Warner, who is playing in his last bilateral T20 series, is eager to make a big impression and use his expertise and potent batting to help.
  

• Mitchell Santner (NZ): Santner, who will be leading the team without Williamson, is an all-around player who can contribute with the bat and the ball.
  

• Pat Cummins (AUS): The best Test bowler in the world, Cummins, provides the Australian bowling attack with accuracy, pace, and leadership.
  

Quotes from the captains:

Mitchell Santner (NZ): "Even though we know we are the underdogs, we don't really give it much thought. The Aussies are always a lot of fun when they visit. They are undoubtedly among the greatest in the world, and you should always push yourself against them."

Mitchell Marsh (AUS): "Finn is a very gifted person. Given his track record over the last 12 months, particularly in his native New Zealand, he has the ability to completely dominate a Powerplay. Therefore, it is our responsibility to attempt to force them to back off by taking a few wickets during the Powerplay."

Where to watch the series:

On February 21st from 11:40 AM IST, the series will be aired live on Amazon Prime Video in India.

Australia and New Zealand's impending Twenty20 series looks like an exciting show. The match is probably going to be close because both teams have formidable bowling attacks and excellent batting lineups. Fans will find it even more thrilling to watch since there is an air of uncertainty due to the absence of important players on both teams. In addition to offering insightful information about how the teams are preparing for the T20 World Cup, this series will rekindle the long-standing rivalry between these two titans of cricket.

Follow Winexch on social media platforms for more such sports news. If you want to watch the live match between New Zealand vs. Australia, you can watch live cricket for free on Winexch. Winexch is India’s top online gaming platform. It streams all major sports events like cricket, football, kabaddi, and more. You can enjoy today cricket match highlights if you miss out on the live match. So sign up now on Winexch and enjoy live cricket for free.