WELLINGTON: Tim David hit a four off the last ball to give Australia a nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international in Wellington on Wednesday.
Having been set 216 to win, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh hammered 72 off 44 balls before batting partner David (31 not out) sealed a thrilling last-gasp victory.
The three-match series is the last for both teams before the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies in June.
Rachin Ravindra had earlier put New Zealand in the driving seat by hitting 68 runs off 35 balls to claim his first half-century in the format as the hosts finished on 215-3.
Marsh finished with best bowling figures of 1-21 before leading the charge with the bat, hitting seven sixes and two fours in his unbeaten knock.
The captain steadied his side after they lost openers Travis Head and David Warner early on.
Head went for 24, caught by Tim Southee off the bowling of Adam Milne.
Veteran Warner followed for 32 in the sixth over, caught by Glenn Phillips.
The series moves to Auckland with the next two T20 internationals both to be played at Eden Park, on Friday and Sunday, before a two-Test series.
