New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Marsh puts on his helmet to have a real smash. Meanwhile, the Blackcaps are in their huddle

We now see the home team on the field for their warmups. We have a 21:30 start, 9 overs per side, batting powerplay 2.4 overs.

A blower is being used to dry parts of the outfield. The tyres on the buggy running the blower across the field are quite wet.

21:10 Local Time, 08:10 GMT, 13:40 IST: The umpires are out for an inspection. The stumps are up and the groundstaff are getting ready to put the markers on the 30-yard circle. Things looking quite positive.

20:47 Local Time, 07:47 GMT, 13:17 IST: It continues to get better, the weather and updates. Covers are being taken off and we might have a start time soon.

20:45 Local Time, 07:45 GMT, 13:15 IST: Good news people. The rain has stopped, and the mop up work is being carried on in the outfield. The covers, however, continue to stay firm on the square.

20:10 Local Time, 07:10 GMT, 12:40 IST: So, we are definitely not starting at 20:15. We are going to lose more overs and remember, if this game ends as a no-result that means Australia retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. 22:01 is the latest the game (for a 5-over cotest) can start.

Younus: where is Finn Allen? -- He injured his right foot during the MLC, had to undergo surgery for stress fracture and is expected to be out of action till November

20:03 Local Time, 07:03 GMT, 12:33 IST: Oh dear! The rain is back and the groundstaff rush in with the covers. It is getting heavier by the minute and the bigger covers come on to protect the square.

Pitch report: "Same pitch that was used on Wednesday, looks like a belter. It just feels a bit sticky and tacky on top. If anyone is going to be excited about it, it is gonna be the bowlers and the fast men. There is that little tiny tinge of green and it is big boundaries and it is still (unlike the first game which was breezy) night tonight. If the bowlers fail to make inroads early on, it is going to be a batters day once again," reckons Frances Mackay.

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell(c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Matthew Short, Tim David, Alex Carey(w), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Mitch Marsh: Looks a really nice wicket, has been under covers for pretty much the whole day, so there will be a bit in it for the bowlers early on. More of the same from our boys with bat and ball and hopefully we can win the series tonight. Sean Abott comes in for Ben Dwarshuis.

Michael Bracewell: We are having a bowl today. Whenever there is a little bit of rain it is better to chase and following that formula tonight. We got 3 changes. Sears, Neesham and Sodhi are coming in.

New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to field

Revised playing conditions: It is going to be a 18 over per-side contest. Batting powerplay will be of 5.2 overs. Ball one at 20:15 local.

19:30 Local Time, 06:30 GMT, 12:00 IST: We have a positive update folks. The drizzle has stopped and the toss will take place at 19:45 local.

Daryl Mitchell: Not ideal at the moment (the weather), but we always know the sun can pop out here and we are out there with a pretty quick drying outfield, probably a few coffees to keep ourselves entertained and then hopefully it is go time soon. Everyone is different (during the rain breaks), usually the bowlers are playing some sort of silly games in the change room, and the batters are probably more chilled waiting for what is to come. It was nice to get to 180 score after the first few overs (in the last game), and although you always want more, it is nice to contribute to the partnership and I thought the way Robbo (Robinson) played was really special to get us to that score and on another night, you never know, that could have been enough. The first few overs weren't ideal, and same with the finish with the bat. Mitch Marsh played really well and brough the run-rate back down. He (Robinson) is a great kid and a serious player, can access all around the ground and at the same time we had good fun out in the middle between overs. Lot of preparation goes into preparing for each format, little things that you tinker along the way, but I just love playing for New Zealand and hopefully I can do it for a long time to come. I love to be in the game with the ball as well, but we got some world class bowlers. I will just keep chipping away and when that chance comes, I am ready to go. Real shame (if we can't get a game), but one thing we can't control is the weather, hopefully the sun pops out and we get out there.

19:15 Local Time, 06:15 GMT, 11:45 IST: It is still drizzling, but the conditions have got a bit brighter. Fingers crossed for a positive update. The earliest the game can be called-off is 21:30 local.

Still a long way out from the T20 World Cup but the Aussies are already looking ominous. The likes of Inglis, Green and Maxwell are expected to join the list that already has Head, Marsh, David, Short, Stoinis, Owen, Hazlewood, Zampa, Ellis, Dwarshuis in addition to a few more bowling options. Even their bowlers can contribute with the bat! There are teams that struggle to find all-rounders because of which their combination takes a big hit and here are Australia who can form a XI where everyone can bowl except the keeper. What a luxury to have!