Tim Robinson's first T20I century was all in vain as Australia closed out an easy win in the first match of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee T20I series. Skipper Mitchell Marsh set the tone with a sizzling 85 as Australia chased down 182 with six wickets and 3.3 overs remaining. After deciding to field first, Australia sent New Zealand reeling at 6/3 within two overs. Tim Seifert was out in the first over, and Ben Dwarshius dismissed Devon Conway and Mark Chapman off consecutive deliveries. Robinson, though, recovered with Daryl Mitchell, who counterattacked to take New Zealand beyond fifty. Robinson, who was earlier cautious, changed gear by hitting Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett for boundaries and took a 31-ball fifty. His 67-run partnership with Mitchell took the hosts to 93/3 at the midpoint. Mitchell left in the 11th over, but Robinson stood firm in spite of numerous lives provided by careless Australian fielding. Dropped four times and surviving a missed stumping also, the right-hander seized the initiative magnificently to score his first T20I hundred off the second last ball. He remained not out on 102, assisting New Zealand to record a healthy 181/6. Also Read | Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Row: India vs Mohsin Naqvi Drama Australia did not lose any time in response. Marsh led by taking early boundaries, and Travis Head kept pace with him stroke for stroke as the visitors reached 50 in five overs. Henry got rid of Head in the sixth over, but the momentum was still with Australia. Matt Short came in with Marsh to continue the flow of runs, and the captain completed his half-century in back-to-back sixes in the ninth over. New Zealand bowlers were left clueless as Marsh took charge of the chase, hitting 85 from 46 deliveries. Although Short and Marsh got out in the middle overs, the damage was already done. Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell ensured the finishing touches as Australia cruised to the target. For New Zealand, Robinson's solitary fight was the only bright spot in an otherwise disastrous outing. His century was the pick of the innings, but that was not enough to stop Australia from taking a 1-0 lead in the series.