AUS v NZ, 2nd ODI Preview: Australia aim for an unassailable lead

Prelude:

The opening ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a one-sided affair, to be fair. Australia showcased a good dominating show and gave New Zealand no chance to stay afloat against them. They now stand on the verge of losing the series altogether and will be under pressure to level the things. Australia, on the other hand, will look to wrap the series and take an unassailable lead. Skipper Steven Smith one – man show stole the limelight but the rest of the team also put up a commendable team effort in thwarting the Kiwi challenge.

Australia:

The battered and bruised Australia looked at their natural best in the opening ODI. Apart from Steven Smith, the Aussies also had Travis Head and Matthews Wade batting at their best. Their form will strengthen the middle order. They had a sort of batting failure, though. Aaron Finch would never appreciate a golden duck while George Bailey and his weird stance could not yield him runs that game while Mitchell Marsh can blame his luck for the failure with the bat.

Talking about the team combination, no changes in the XI are expected. This also means the outspoken Glenn Maxwell will have to wait a match longer to play again. Bowling department is perhaps the biggest strength they possess. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be the men to watch out for on a batting friendly track at Canberra.

New Zealand:

Coming into the game, New Zealand will expect to win the toss and bat first. 5 out of the last 8 matches played at the Manuka Oval have been won by teams batting first. The batsmen, therefore, have a huge responsibility. Their batting line-up largely underperformed in the previous game and barring Martin Guptill and Colin Munro none of them could make any significant contribution in the chase.

There were many missed chances which probably played a bigger role in their defeat the opposition’s batting performances. Wicketkeeper BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme dropped Smith once each. The damage which the right-hander did has been well-written in the past couple of days.

The Black Caps have no option but to stay at their best from the fielding point of views. Beating Australia in Australia, in any format, is a challenging job and if chances like these are squandered then it becomes meaningless to even think about competing against them.

The bowling department may see one change. Veteran Tim Southee could be called in, given the importance of the game. He would probably swap places with Lockie Ferguson, who earned his international debut in the last game. The reason behind it could be his economy of 7.3 that he ended with after getting off to a solid start with the wicket of David Warner. The express bowler impressed everyone bowling over 150 kph but bowled four no ball as well. These couple of factor might force the management to drop him and bring in Southee. The bowling line up otherwise won’t see any change.

Probable XI:

Australia:

David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith (C), George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.

New Zealand:

Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Jimmy Neesham, Colin Munro, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

Stats:

• This will be Kane Williamson’s 100th one-day international.
• Adam Zampa enters this game as the world’s leading ODI wicket-taker in 2016, with 30 scalps at 27.80. His feat is all the more impressive given he didn’t make his ODI debut until February in New Zealand.
• Glenn Maxwell has taken 45 wickets, and needs 5 more to reach the 50 wickets milestone, and also the 1,000 runs/50 wickets milestones.
• Matthew Wade has effected 99 dismissals, and needs 1 more to reach the 100 dismissals milestone, and also the 1,000 runs/100 dismissals milestones.
• Australia is unbeaten at the venue having won all three of their previous matches here.