Last Updated on 8 months by Charbel Coorey

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 2024 Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Wellington Pitch Report

Australia’s long-awaited tour of neighbours New Zealand kicks off with the first of three T20 Internationals. Sky Stadium in Wellington hosts the series opener and it promises to be a fascinating showdown between two teams who have aspirations of going far in this year’s T20 World Cup.

The Australians prevailed 2-1 in their recent series against West Indies. New Zealand were far too strong for Pakistan earlier this year, winning 4-1. However, the black Caps will have to do without Daryl Mitchell (foot injury), Matt Henry (hip soreness), Tim Seifert (torn adductor), James Neesham (Bangladesh Premier League), and Kane Williamson (paternity leave). But, there is still quality talent in the ranks, especially in the form of Finn Allen who had a dream outing against Pakistan.

Given the absence of ODIs on this tour, this series will be played for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. A good start to the series for both sides is key not only to get a hand on the trophy, but to also firm preparations for the upcoming World Cup in West Indies and USA.

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 2024 Possible Playing XIs

Trent Boult is available for this series. He could partner Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner as the core of the attack. Also, all-rounder Josh Clarkson could make his debut.

Rachin Ravindra can play a role with bat and ball. He had a breakthrough ODI World Cup in 2023 (578 runs), and will now be hoping he can make a mark in T20s – a format where he averages just 15.12 with the bat in 47 innings.

New Zealand: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Devon Conway (wk), 3. Rachin Ravindra, 4. Mark Chapman, 5. Glenn Phillips, 6. Josh Clarkson, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. Tim Southee, 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Lockie Ferguson

For Australia, Marcus Stoinis (injured) and Matthew Wade (parental leave) will miss this match. Also, Spencer Johnson will join the squad in Auckland later this week.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Travis Head, 3. Mitchell Marsh (c), 4. Steve Smith, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Josh Inglis (wk), 7. Tim David, 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 Fantasy Cricket Tips: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

New Zealand:

• Finn Allen recently smashed 275 runs at a strike rate of 195.03 in five matches against Pakistan. He also hammered 42 off 16 balls in the 2022 T20 World Cup against Australia.
• Devon Conway vs. Australia in T20Is: 6 inns, 284 runs, avg. 71.00, SR 145.64. This includes scores of 99* and 92*.
• Glenn Phillips can also fetch fantasy points with his all-round ability. He averages just 19.33 in seven T20Is to date against Australia, but that can change quickly.
• Phillips scored 147 runs at an average of 36.75 and strike rate of 134.86 in the T20I series against Pakistan.
• Mitchell Santner has a good record against Australia (12 wickets, avg. 19.16, econ. 7.15) and on this ground (11 wickets, avg. 14.81, econ. 5.62).
• Ish Sodhi has the most wickets in NZ-AUS T20Is (17) at an average of 18.82 and strike rate of 14.47. The legspinner also has 17 wickets on this ground at an average of 14.76 and strike rate of 10.94.
• Trent Boult has a fine record against David Warner in all T20s: 82 balls, 77 runs, three dismissals.

Australia:

• David Warner is in excellent form. He is fresh off 173 runs in the three-match series against West Indies (avg. 57.66, SR 166.34).
• Warner has a modest T20 record against New Zealand. He has scored 216 runs in nine matches at an average of 24.00 and strike rate of 148.96.
• Travis Head took a liking to the New Zealand attack in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He smashed 109 off 67 balls.
• Glenn Maxwell, who recently smashed 120* vs West Indies, strikes at 155.02 in 11 T20Is against New Zealand (262 runs). Also, he has a strike rate of 211.9 in three T20Is on this ground (89 runs). A must-pick in fantasy teams.
• Josh Hazlewood has picked up five wickets in two T20Is against New Zealand. He has dismissed Finn Allen once in three balls (5 runs) and Glenn Phillips twice in six balls (5 runs).
• Mitchell Starc, in his two T20Is against New Zealand, has conceded 96 runs in eight overs. The left-armer will be looking to hit his stride ahead of the IPL and T20 World Cup.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 16, New Zealand 6, Australia 10.
• The last meeting was back in the 2022 T20 World Cup. New Zealand smashed Australia by 89 runs.
• Ish Sodhi has dismissed David Warner twice in 17 balls in T20Is (30 runs). He has also conceded just 27 off 26 against Mitch Marsh (one dismissal).
• Warner has great numbers against Tim Southee in all T20s: 62 balls, 114 runs, two dismissals.
• Trent Boult in T20Is vs Australia: 10 inns, 14 wickets, avg. 19.21, SR 15.78.
• Tim Southee strikes every 20.75 deliveries vs Australia and every 14.11 balls on this ground in T20Is.

Sky Stadium Wellington Pitch Report and Weather

A cool and windy evening is forecast with a top of 20 degrees during the day. No rain is expected. The average first innings score in the past five T20Is on this ground is 169.4 with the team batting first winning four times.

Orthodox finger spinners have the lowest economy rate in this period (7.1) closely followed by pace (7.3). Legspin has been more expensive at 8.6 per over.

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 2024 Dream11 Prediction: Team combinations, captaincy, vice-captaincy

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1 *Add Trent Boult for Ish Sodhi once Boult is available in Dream11*:

Option 2:

NZ vs AUS 1st T20 2024 Match Prediction: Who will win?

An interesting match awaits. Australia, with their experience, start as slight favourites and are our pick to win this match.