Captain Mitchell Marsh scored a sparkling maiden Twenty20 century to steer Australia to a three-wicket win in the third and final match against New Zealand on Saturday, sealing a 2-0 series victory.

Opener Marsh completely dominated the run chase, hitting an unbeaten 103 off 52 balls as the tourists reached 160-7 with two overs to spare after New Zealand posted 156-9 at Bay Oval.

The 33-year-old played with a mix of power and patience as wickets fell around him, striking eight fours and seven sixes while defying the cold, damp evening conditions in Mount Maunganui.

Marsh's century was raised from the first ball of the 18th over, reaching three figures for the first time in 76 T20 internationals.

Allrounder Jimmy Neesham (4-26) raised New Zealand's hopes when he took four wickets from his first three overs of seam bowling midway through Australia's chase, reducing them to 93-5.

Marsh adopted a more careful approach over the closing stages, combining cleverly with lower-order pair Mitchell Owen (14) and Sean Abbott (13 not out), who were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

"There was a bit of pressure there at the end but it's obviously great to win an away series in New Zealand," said Marsh, who had set his sights on batting through the innings.

"When you're going like that, it's just important that you keep going. It was probably a little bit closer than we would have liked, but we got there."

Opener Tim Seifert top-scored with 48 off 35 for the hosts after New Zealand were sent in.

Some late hitting from captain Michael Bracewell (26) and Neesham (25) helped set a competitive target, while seamer Abbott recorded Australia's best figures of 3-25.

Bracewell said Marsh's batting was the obvious difference.

"We threw everything we could at him, we used all of our resources and sometimes you have to tip your hat to him," Bracewell said.

Australia's six-wicket win in the first match on Wednesday was also built around Marsh, who top-scored with 85.

The second match on Friday was abandoned because of rain.

Australia retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after rain washed out the second Twenty20 against New Zealand on Friday with just two overs of play possible in Mount Maunganui.

The match was initially declared a nine-over contest when wet weather delayed the start time by more than two hours at Bay Oval.

However, more rain arrived after Australia reached 15-1, with captain Mitchell Marsh unbeaten on eight.

The tourists won the first match by six wickets on Wednesday and as holders are guaranteed to retain the trophy regardless of the result of the third and final match, on Saturday also at Bay Oval.

Australia have held the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy – contested in limited-overs series between the local rivals – since 2019.

An unbeaten maiden century by New Zealand's Tim Robinson wasn't enough to deny Australia a comfortable six-wicket win in the opening Twenty20 at Bay Oval on Wednesday.

Captain Mitchell Marsh led Australia's chase with 85 off 43 balls as they raced to 185 for four off 16.3 overs in response to the home side's 181 for six.

The powerful Marsh struck nine fours and five sixes in cold, windy conditions at Mount Maunganui.

He was caught in the deep in the 15th over to fall short of what would have been his first century in 74 T20 internationals.

Fellow-opener Travis Head scored 31 in an electric opening stand of 67 off just 5.3 overs that set up victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Marsh said he and Head complemented each other as opening batsmen.

"We've got a great relationship off the field and I'm hoping that translates into good partnerships," he said.

"Tonight was a lot of fun."

Robinson plundered 106 not out off 66 balls after a dreadful New Zealand start when they were asked to bat first.

The hosts collapsed to 6-3, with seamer Ben Dwarshuis removing Devon Conway and Mark Chapman off successive balls in the second over.

The fightback was launched by Robinson and Daryl Mitchell (34), whose fourth-wicket stand of 92 came from just 55 deliveries.

'THAT'S CRICKET'

Robinson, 23, became the second-youngest New Zealander to score a T20 century when he blasted a four and then a six from the last two balls of the innings from Dwarshuis.

"I got streaky through the middle there and got away with a few chances but that's cricket," Robinson said.

"Those Aussies bowled really well at the top and Daryl and I spoke about getting through that really tough period when the ball was nipping around."

Both teams had a key player ruled out of the series in training incidents on Tuesday.

New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra suffered facial cuts when he collided with a boundary fence during fielding practice.

Australian allrounder Glenn Maxwell broke his arm when struck by a shot from teammate Mitchell Owen while bowling in the nets.

The remaining two games are also day-night fixtures in Mount Maunganui on Friday and Saturday.

NEW ZEALAND: Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Matt Short, Tim David, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Owen, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the T20I series against Australia at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui after suffering a facial laceration during a training mishap.

New Zealand Cricket said on Wednesday that Ravindra had collided with a boundary hoarding during fielding practice and needed "intricate stitching" for the injury to his upper lip and nose.

Head coach Rob Walter said the team felt for Ravindra.

"We're all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series," Walter said in an NZC statement.

"Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks' time."

Allrounder Jimmy Neesham comes into the squad in place of Ravindra for the series which starts at Bay Oval later on Wednesday.

Game two is on Friday, with the third and final match on Saturday at the same Bay Oval venue.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell was on Tuesday ruled out of this week's T20 series in New Zealand after breaking his arm in a freak accident during net training.

Maxwell had his arm fractured by a shot from big-hitting batsman Mitchell Owen while bowling in the nets at Mount Maunganui, said Cricket Australia.

Matthew Short was in the adjoining net when Maxwell was struck.

"I saw it out of the corner of my eye," Short told cricket.com.au.

"I saw (Owen) smoked it and then the aftermath. It hit Maxi on the wrist. It didn't sound good.

"(Owen) is not the guy you want to be bowling to in T20 training, that's for sure."

Maxwell will be replaced in the squad by wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe.

It was the second injury blow to Australia's squad, who lost Josh Inglis earlier this month to a right calf strain. Inglis was replaced by Alex Carey.

The 36-year-old Maxwell has endured a career peppered with bizarre injuries.

He fractured his leg when a friend fell on it at a 50th birthday party three years ago.

He also was concussed at the 2023 World Cup when he fell off a golf cart.

"Maxi's been there and gone through (bad injuries) a couple of times now," said Short.

"He was a bit disappointed but it's just like any other injury. I'm sure he'll get through it."

New Zealand host Australia for three T20 internationals, all in Mount Maunganui, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Maxwell is now a doubt for Australia's five-match home T20 series against India in a month's time.

Michael Bracewell will captain a depleted New Zealand side in the upcoming T20I series against Australia, with regular skipper Mitchell Santner and several senior players ruled out through injury.

Santner, recovering from abdominal surgery, is targeting a return later in the month against England, New Zealand Cricket said on Wednesday.

In his absence, Bracewell will lead the side for the three-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, starting 1 October.

Explosive opener Finn Allen is sidelined with a foot injury, while pace trio Lockie Ferguson (hamstring), Adam Milne (ankle), and Will O’Rourke (back), and allrounder Glenn Phillips (groin) are also unavailable.

Top batter Kane Williamson is skipping the series, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said earlier in the week.

Despite the setbacks, New Zealand's pace stocks have been bolstered by the return of Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears.

Jamieson missed the Zimbabwe tour for the birth of his first child, while Sears returns from a side injury for the Chappell-Hadlee series.

They join Matt Henry, world No 1 T20I bowler Jacob Duffy, and Canterbury quick Zak Foulkes in the seam attack.

Bracewell, who has led New Zealand to six wins in 10 T20Is, is aiming to reclaim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for New Zealand for the first time since 2016.

"It's a great way to start the summer," Bracewell said in an NZC statement.

"The rivalry is massive, and we’re motivated to bring the trophy home."

Young batter Bevon Jacobs retains his spot after an unbeaten 44 on debut in Zimbabwe, while legspinner Ish Sodhi, who recently became the third men’s player to reach 150 T20I wickets, will feature as the sole specialist slow bowler.

The series marks 20 years since the first ever men’s T20I and will be played entirely at Bay Oval.

Kane Williamson has confirmed his availability for the T20 World Cup as part of a group of New Zealand players signed up for casual contracts, but the Black Caps batting great will miss next month's T20I series against Australia.

News | Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert and Kane Williamson have agreed terms to play on NZC international casual playing agreements for the 2025-26 season.

Story | https://t.co/jaoc6hCZ8V pic.twitter.com/Q6xOT7NaKs

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 14, 2025

Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert also agreed to casual deals for the 2025/26 season, locking them in for the global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka starting in early-February, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Monday.

New Zealand's casual contracts system allows players to take part in lucrative T20 leagues around the globe so long as they commit to representing the nation in some series and tournaments.

All of the casually contracted players will be available for home T20I series against Australia, England and the West Indies, except Williamson, who will sit out the Australia portion which starts on October 1 at Mount Maunganui.

"With such a pinnacle event on the horizon we wanted to ensure our best T20 players were ready and available to push for inclusion," NZC boss Scott Weenink said.

"The message from the players is that playing for the Black Caps is hugely important to them and I’m pleased we’ve been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season."

New Zealand host Australia in three T20Is in Mount Maunganui before meeting England in another three-match series starting in Christchurch on October 18.

Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming T20I series against Australia but is committed to playing in the T20 World Cup after signing a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket alongside Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert https://t.co/bjPVYrc4mZ pic.twitter.com/xvKNAvctcy

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 15, 2025

Australia's preparations for their Ashes defence have taken a hit with captain Pat Cummins struggling with a lower back issue and given no return-to-play timeline.

The 32-year-old fast bowler has been ruled out of upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India after scans revealed signs of lumbar bone stress.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday that Cummins had lingering back pain from the West Indies tour and the injury would require ongoing management in the lead-up to the five-test Ashes.

However, selectors chairman George Bailey was upbeat on Cummins' rehabilitation prospects, saying staff expected him to be fit and ready for the series-opener in Perth from 21 November.

"There’s plenty of time left – somewhere in the 80-day range," he told reporters in a video call on Tuesday.

"Even if match time is limited, we’re confident in his experience and preparation."

Cummins has already been rested from a number of white-ball fixtures, including home Twenty20 and one-day international series against South Africa.

While the injury has not been classified as a stress fracture, it is an echo of the back concerns that hampered his early career.

Cummins had to wait over five years for a second test following his stunning 2011 debut against South Africa when he took seven wickets in Johannesburg as an 18-year-old.

Since his return in 2017 he has become one of Australia's most durable players, missing just two tests through injury during his tenure as captain.

Bailey said he would be confident Cummins could bowl in the Ashes without any lead-in matches if necessary, but selectors were planning to rotate the quicks as required.

"When players get through five tests, credit to them and the performance team," he said.

"But we always plan to go deeper than just the top three or four bowlers, especially from test three onwards where things get intense."

Cummins' absence for any part of the Ashes would be a blow for the hosts, despite Victoria paceman Scott Boland being a worthy stand-by option.

Cummins has taken 91 wickets against England from 19 tests at an average of 24.10.

In nine tests on home soil, he has been even more devastating, taking 44 wickets at an average of 21.50.

Cummins' injury was revealed on the same day his long-standing pace teammate Mitchell Starc confirmed his retirement from T20 internationals, six months out from the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Coming up soon: A quick trip across the Tasman for our Australian men's team.

A 14-man squad has been named to face the @BLACKCAPS in three T20Is ✈️🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/Kyl994OnG8

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 2, 2025

Of Australia's great pace triumvirate, only Josh Hazlewood will join the T20 squad for the three-match series against New Zealand starting on October 1 in Tauranga.

Left-armer Ben Dwarshuis joins Hazlewood and Sean Abbott among the pacers, with Nathan Ellis missing the tour for the birth of his first child.

Allrounder Cameron Green was omitted from the 14-man squad named on Tuesday and will continue his preparations for the Ashes and a return to bowling in the domestic Sheffield Shield.

However, allrounder Marcus Stoinis earned a recall and is back in the World Cup frame.

Fellow allrounders Mitch Owen and Matt Short were selected after recovering from concussion and a side strain respectively.

AUSTRALIA T20 SQUAD:

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa