A bludgeoning display from captain Mitchell Marsh powered Australia to a comprehensive victory in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee T20I series in Mount Maunganui after Tim Robinson had compiled a superb century to haul New Zealand out of early trouble.

New Zealand slid to 6 for 3 in the second over with Ben Dwarshuis putting himself on a hat-trick. But Robinson overcame the sticky start against the new ball to compile score his maiden T20I century from 65 balls in a match where he likely wouldn’t have played had Rachin Ravindra not suffered a series-ending facial injury in training yesterday.

Despite Robinson’s best efforts – and Australia offering him five lives – the home side struggled to accelerate during the second half of their innings. An opening stand of 67 in 5.3 overs between Marsh and Travis Head broke the back of the chase inside the powerplay.

Even with Australia missing Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell, the outcome of the chase never felt in doubt after that start, although Marsh couldn’t quite see it home himself, falling 15 runs short of a century. It was only the second time a chasing side had won a T20I at the venue.

Robinson’s brilliant rebuild, with a little helping hand

It was a dire start for New Zealand after Marsh continued his preferred route of bowling first, despite ground data suggesting a bat-first venue. Marsh has never batted first when winning the toss in a T20I. Josh Hazlewood struck in the first over when Tim Seifert picked out mid-off then Devon Conway’s drive was beaten by Dwarshuis’ swing. Mark Chapman next tickled one down the leg side which Australia successfully reviewed.

Initially it was Daryl Mitchell who counter-punched with a combination of the edge and middle of the bat. Robinson, in contrast, laboured to 10 off 14 balls before striking a flat six off Marcus Stoinis in the final over of the powerplay. A terrific strike over the off side against Xavier Bartlett followed and he skipped to a 31-ball fifty. The fourth-wicket stand with Mitchell was worth 92 in 55 deliveries.

The first of Robinson’s reprieves came on 55 when Matt Short couldn’t hold a return catch above his head and he was spilled twice by Head (at short third and backward point) on 62 and 74. Between those moments, Alex Carey missed a stumping chance when Robinson was beaten by Adam Zampa. A fifth life followed on 76 when Tim David spilled a catch at long-on in what became a ragged display from Australia.

With two balls of the innings remaining, Robinson had strike on 96 when he flicked Dwarshuis to fine leg then signed off with a six over the leg side.

Zampa defies conditions as Australia squeeze

Despite their early trouble, New Zealand had reached 93 for 3 at the 10-over mark. By then, Zampa had sent down two overs for 18, which was already a fightback after his first delivery, a long hop, had been launched for six by Robinson.

The cold, windy conditions were fiendishly difficult for a legspinner, with the added challenge for Zampa that he has Raynaud’s syndrome which means he loses feeling in his fingers during colder weather (and even on some warmer days).

But Zampa conceded just nine off his last two overs – the 13th and 15th of the innings – which was a key part in New Zealand struggling to find lift off. He twice should have dismissed Robinson wicket on those two overs. After the first-ball six, he conceded 21 off 23 deliveries.

Overall, Bevon Jacobs’ struggle was particularly notable as he made 20 off 21 balls before being brilliantly run out by teamwork. Stoinis, running around the backward-square rope, flicked the ball between his legs to Head who then provided a bullet return to Carey. The partnership for the fifth-wicket was 64 off 47 balls, but with Robinson also losing some impetus it meant Australia never really lost control.

Marsh muscles it

New Zealand’s bowlers – much like West Indies and South Africa of recent months – felt the force of Australia’s top order. Four of the powerplay overs went for double figures and when Head picked out midwicket against Henry it was barely a blip. After the powerplay, Australia had struck 12 fours compared to New Zealand’s 11 overall.

There had been a few questions being asked of Marsh’s returns with the bat while most of his team-mates flayed away in the recent series, but he made a half-century in the final match against South Africa which he carried into the ODIs that followed. Now across the Tasman he put on a brutal display of his power.

He had four fours and a huge straight six by the end of the third over, with his driving down the ground and over the off side particularly eye-catching. He brought up a 23-ball fifty with a second consecutive six off Zak Foulkes, then in the 11th over was able to send Matt Henry over the off side for six from the back foot.

There was a chance of maiden T20I hundred, but he picked out cover. Short made an encouraging return with 29 off 18 balls until missing a full toss from Kyle Jamieson before David swiftly ended the game.

Brief scores:
Australia 185 for 4 in 16.3 overs (Mitchell Marsh 85, Travis Head 31, Matthew Short 29, Tim Davis 21*; Matt Henry 2-43, Zakary Foulkes 1-35, Kyle Jamieson 1-46) beat New Zealand 181 for 6 in 20 overs  (Tim Robinson 106*, Daryl Mitchell 34, Bevon Jacobs 20; Josh Hazelwood 1-23,  Ben Dwarshuis 2-40, Mathew Short 1-32) by six wickets

[Cricinfo]