New Zealand and Australia ramp up their T20 World Cup preparations to another level this week as they take part in a five-match T20I series against each other, one that will be either broadcast on TV or available to live stream around the world.
Perhaps surprisingly, the two team have only played each other nine times in T20I cricket, with Australia winning seven and losing just one of those encounters. Their one defeat came in the sole meeting between the two sides at a global tournament, at the 2016 World T20.
With less than a year to go until the T20 World Cup, the series presents an opportunity for players on the periphery of their respective squads to further their case for selection ahead of the tournament. Australia’s 18-man squad includes two uncapped players, right-arm quick Riley Meredith and the precocious teenage leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha who recently enjoyed a breakout Big Bash League campaign.
The hosts have named a 13-man squad for the series, one that is without any uncapped players. Though ranked sixth in the T20I world rankings, New Zealand recently secured a home series wins over West Indies and Pakistan towards the backend of 2020.
New Zealand v Australia T20Is telecast: TV Channel
The series will be broadcast on BT Sport in the UK, Spark Sport in New Zealand and Fox Sports in Australia.
New Zealand v Australia T20I telecast: Live streaming
The series will not be broadcast live on TV in India, but will be available to watch on the streaming platform, FanCode.
New Zealand v Australia T20Is: Fixtures
First T20I: 22 February, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (06:00 GMT)
Second T20I: 25 February, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin (01:00 GMT)
Third T20I: 3 March, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (06:00 GMT)
Fourth T20I: 5 March, Eden Park, Auckland, (06:00 GMT)
Fifth T20I: 7 March, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, (03:00 GMT)
