Trans-Tasman tri-series 2018, AUS vs NZ, 1st T20I: Match Predictions

Australia and New Zealand will lock horns on Saturday in Sydney as the T20I tri-series commences also involving England as the third side. The Trans-Tasman clash is expected to be a mouth-watering one with both the teams looking to make amends for their recent losses against different sides. While the hosts have always struggled in the shortest format of the game, the Kiwis are coming off a series loss against Pakistan at home. However, the teams would look to start the series on a high by winning the opening game.

Australia will be led by David Warner and have roped in all the T20 specialists who did well in the Big Bash League (BBL). They have significantly missed out on continuity in the format and their seventh rank is the strong example of it. With the World T20 in 2020 set to be in the same country they would like to start the preparations for the tournament with this series itself. A strong show in this series against two of the most dynamics sides in the format would surely boost the confidence of the team.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have travelled to the country to play only a solitary game as they are set to host the second-half of the tri-series. The Kiwis too have a few issues as they stem the run-flow on the flat tracks in the three-match T20I rubber against Pakistan. They also lacked the momentum with the bat while chasing a big score. They would like to sort out a few issues and are surely starting the game as the favourites.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the SCG is expected to unleash a lot of runs as the average first innings score in the ground in the 4 T20Is here is 176. The rain is also predicted to hit Sydney during the morning and afternoon which is most likely to spice up the pitch. The team winning the toss will most probably bowl first as they will have a better idea of the conditions while chasing.

Playing Combination

Australia

Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the match as he failed to recover from the injury which he sustained during the ODI series. D’Arcy Short who lit up the BBL with his consistent scores with the bat is set to make his debut and open the innings alongside the skipper Warner. Chris Lynn, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell make up the deadly middle-order which can tear apart any bowling line-up. The likes of Ben Dwarshuis and Alex Carey will also make their debuts for the country.

Probable XI: David Warner (c), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

New Zealand

The selectors have guarded against making wholesale changes in the squad that lost to Pakistan. Colin Munro returns to the side to open along side Martin Guptill. They have the experience of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in the middle-order followed by the power of Tom Bruce and Colin de Grandhomme. The bowling attack will be at its best with Trent Boult and Tim Southee taking the new ball. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner are likely to play a huge role as Australia traditionally struggle against spin.

Probable XI: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Here’s what we, at CricTracker predict will be the final result:

Probable top performers

David Warner (Australia) | Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Head to Head

Matches – 6 Australia – 4 New Zealand – 1 Tie – 1 (NZ won Super Over)

Timings of the match: 01:50 PM IST

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony Six

Live streaming – SonyLIV

The prediction is for New Zealand to win the game and start the series on a high.