In a thrilling start to the T20I series, 23-year-old Tim Robinson announced himself on the big stage with a spectacular unbeaten century against Australia at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval. His knock of 106 off 66 deliveries*, decorated with 5 sixes and 6 fours, carried New Zealand from a disastrous start to a fighting total of 181/6 in 20 overs.
The Blackcaps looked in serious trouble when they slipped to 6/3 inside the first two overs. Just when it seemed the Australians would dominate, Robinson stood firm. He first rebuilt the innings alongside Daryl Mitchell, who played a valuable cameo of 34 from 23 balls, adding 92 runs for the fourth wicket. Later, Robinson joined forces with Bevon Jacobs to stitch another 64-run stand, ensuring New Zealand finished with a competitive score.
Robinson Breaks Records
Robinson’s innings was more than just a century — it came with records:
- At 23 years and 156 days, he became the second-youngest Kiwi to score a T20I hundred, behind Finn Allen (23y 96d).
- His knock is the slowest T20I century by a New Zealand player (65 balls), overtaking Rohit Sharma’s 64-ball hundred.
- He also broke Babar Azam’s record for scoring the fewest boundary runs in a T20I hundred. Robinson managed just 54 runs in boundaries, relying heavily on smart running between the wickets, with 32 singles and 10 doubles.
These milestones underline Robinson’s adaptability, showing that T20 cricket is not only about brute power but also about smart batting and rotating the strike.
A Kiwi Among Legends
Robinson also joined an elite list of New Zealanders who have scored T20I centuries against Australia:
- Brendon McCullum – 116* in 2010 at Christchurch
- Martin Guptill – 105 in 2018 at Auckland
- Tim Robinson – 106* in 2025 at Mount Maunganui
This knock not only placed him alongside Kiwi greats but also announced him as a long-term prospect for New Zealand cricket.
Robinson’s innings was the perfect example of temperament meeting talent. From steadying the innings after an early collapse to finishing unbeaten, his century was as much about responsibility as it was about flair. For a young cricketer in just his early 20s, this is the kind of performance that can define a career.
As the T20I series progresses, all eyes will be on Robinson — because if this innings is a glimpse of the future, New Zealand might have just found their next batting superstar.
