NZ v AUS 1st ODI, Preview: Trans-Tasman rivalry set to get underway

The trans-Tasman rivalry is all set to get underway at the Eden Park. Australia will take on New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in a 3-match series. Interestingly, both teams had recently faced each other in Australia a couple of months ago. It was hosts Australia who had whitewashed the Kiwis 3-0 on the occasion. Now, the change in venues sees New Zealand being the hosts. With the change in venues, the blackcaps will be hoping a turnaround. There are a couple of things that needs to noted when talking about the previous series.

The Kiwis were sans the services of Ross Taylor in the series and had a predominantly inexperienced lineup. Coming into this series, the Australians find themselves in a similar stance. Two of their top batsmen, Steve Smith and David Warner, have been rested for the series. Also, the other opener Usman Khawaja will be missing out since he is in Dubai trying to figure out a few technical aspects of the game. While the Aussie batting has faced a major blow, the bowling looks like a threatening prospect. The kiwis will have to deal with the pace of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Team News

Australia

Australia will be sans the services of David Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. They will definitely be an under-strength side when it comes to the batting side. Their biggest concern at the moment is to fix an opening pair. The have the likes of Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch in the squad.

However, it is very much possible that Travis Head might be the preferred opener for the game. Head had opened the innings for Australia in the last ODI against Pakistan. He had forged a 286 run opening stand with David Warner on the occasion and had scored a brilliant 128.

Peter Handscomb might find himself to number 3 and that serves a very good chance for him to show his prowess with the bat. The bowling line up might see three pacers along with the spin of Adam Zampa.

New Zealand

After being beaten in the previous series, the Kiwis will be eyeing a revenge. They had an injury concern that saw the usual wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi missing out. They have Tom Blundell in the lineup but it seems that opener Tom Latham will don the wicket-keeping gloves for the match.

He was seen wicket keeping in a recent domestic game where he inflicted a couple of stumpings. Considering the pace of the track at the venue, they might prefer Lockie Ferguson over Matt Henry for the encounter. Neil Broom will be the player to watch out for.

His heroics in the Bangladesh series will give hopes to the Kiwi team management. His addition beefs up the middle order. The New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has rightly reflected that the team that was whitewashed in Australia was depleted one. Prior to the game, he quoted, “We know we weren’t at our best. We probably didn’t have the resources that we’ve got available now.”

Probable XI

Australia

Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (C), James Faulkner, Adam Zampa, Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Match Facts

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Time: 1100 (local), 2200 (GMT), 0330 (IST)

StAttack

1. The last time Mitchell Starc bowled at the venue, he had scalped 6/28 against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2015.

2. Aaron Finch averages only 7.20 against New Zealand in ODIs.

3. Matthew Wade is all set to become the third wicketkeeper to captain Australia after Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

4. In the last 22 matches at home, New Zealand have won 20 of them.