NZ v Aus 2nd ODI Preview: Trans-Tasman supremacy on the line

The series opener was a lopsided contest between the Trans-Tasman rivals as the hosts New Zealand annihilated Australia by 159 runs. New Zealand is currently sailing smoothly at home and would definitely want to continue with their inspiring performances and pocket the series. The Kiwis know that the Australians cannot be written off just after one bad performance and will be ready with their strategy. A loss here would not mean that they lose the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy which they had reclaimed during the league stage of the 2015 World Cup.

The series is on the line in the upcoming match and Australia would definitely charge with full force at the hosts to regain their Trans-Tasman supremacy. They cannot afford to lose this all important game. The batting order could not withstand the quality pace attack and countering them effectively would surely stack the advantages in their favor. The bowlers were ordinary and should raise their level to cope with the strong opposition batting order.

New Zealand:

Batting is not at all a worry for New Zealand. The opening pair looks most dangerous. Martin Guptill continued his outstanding form in the last ODI and is unlikely to stop scoring runs while skipper Brendon McCullum also looked unrestrained. Kane Williamson’s rare failure is negligible while the middle order comprising of Corey Anderson, Grant Elliot, and Henry Nicolls is as explosive as the top order. The bowling was at its best in the last match and completely rattled the opposition. Boult and Henry would like to repeat their stupendous performance. Mitchell Santner also proved his worth with both bat and ball. In all, the side looks very confident at home. This is perhaps the most appropriate chance to beat the Australians in a series. The last time they did so was in the year 2007.

Australia:

The order will see one change as Shaun Marsh will be rested to make way for the Usman Khawaja which means that David Warner will open alongside Davis Warner. Khawaja has played only three games for the Australian ODI side the last of which came almost three years back. The 29-year-old has been in prime form this summer but had to unfortunately wait on the sidelines. Their worry would be to handle the guile of Boult and Henry who proved their lethality in the initial phases of the innings. Milne and Santner also pose the same challenge. Apart from Marsh’s swipe, it is not expected that there would be any change in the final XI. However, there is a doubt over Kane Richardson fitness but has been named in the side. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa will also be making his international debut. He’ll take place of injured paceman James Faulkner place in the XI. Zampa has had a strong domestic season across all the three formats and good performance will help him compete with another preferred leggie Cameron Boyce and put his case forward for the World T20 selection.

Playing XI:

Australia:

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith (C), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Wade, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand (Probable):

Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (C), Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

Pitch and conditions:

Wellington’s forecast is for a cloudy and humid day. The drop-in pitch has assisted seam bowlers with some slow movement in the past but has more recently been an easy-paced batting track.

Stats and trivia:

• In five matches at Westpac Stadium, Australia have won twice and New Zealand twice after a washout in 2000.
• Australia’s most recent win came in December 2005, and New Zealand have won both more recent encounters by wide margins.
• Since that 2005 defeat – by a mere two runs – New Zealand have built a formidable record in Wellington, losing only two of 14 ODIs played at Westpac, with one no result.
• Grant Elliott has scored 1,894 runs and needs another 106 runs to reach the 2,000 runs milestone.