MOUNT MAUNGANUI:

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 185-4 off 16.3 overs in response to the home side's 181-6.

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 relat

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