AUCKLAND, Feb 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and the hosts elected to bowl in the third and final Twenty20 international against Australia in Auckland on Sunday.

Australia lead the series 2-0 after winning the opener by six wickets in Wellington on Wednesday followed by a 72-run victory in game two in Auckland on Friday

The Black Caps made two changes, with wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert replacing the injured Devon Conway, and spinner Ish Sodhi coming in for pace bowler Lockie Ferguson.

Australia's three changes include the resting of captain Mitchell Marsh, with Matt Short taking his place in the batting lineup and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade the new skipper.

There are two changes to their seam bowling attack, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood making way for Mitchell Starc and Spencer Johnson.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Will Young, Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (capt), Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Ben Sears

Australia: Travis Head, Steve Smith, Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Umpires: Wayne Knights and Chris Brown (NZL)

Television Umpire: Shaun Haig (NZL)

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)