Trans-Tasman Tri-Series 2018, NZ vs AUS, Final, Preview: Australia favourites in the title bout at Eden Park

New Zealand have a task on their hands to stop the rampant visitors.

Published - 20 Feb 2018, 13:46 IST | Updated - 20 Feb 2018, 13:46 IST

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Alex Carey of Australia and Aaron Finch of Australia

Australia and New Zealand will clash for the third time in the ongoing T20I tri-series and this time the title of the tournament will be at stake. The match will be played once again at the tiny Eden Park where the visitors chased down 244 against the home side in the last week. Moreover, the Aussies are unbeaten in this series having won all the four matches of the competition. However, New Zealand will be itching to make amends and clinch the title continuing their proud home record.

Australia, under David Warner‘s leadership, has looked stable for the first time in the shortest format of the game. The selectors’ decision to include the top performers in the Big Bash League (BBL) has paid off and there should be no surprise if they go the same way in T20Is from here on. The young and dynamic side is only one step away from completing their domination in the series which will also give the number 1 ranking to Australia.

New Zealand, on the other hand, are coming off a two-run loss against England which was enough for them to qualify for the final. Their proud home record is at stake as they had lost the T20I series against Pakistan last month and would want to set things straight against their arch-rivals. They have to be at their best to beat the rampant Australian side when they step on the field at the Eden Park.

As many as 32 sixes were hit the last time these two teams met at the venue. 244 was easily chased down with more than one over to spare and once again the flat deck is expected for the game. There is no doubt that the team winning the toss would opt to bowl first as even they don’t know the safe score on this pitch. The smaller dimensions of the ground are not helping the cause of the bowlers as well.

Playing Combinations

New Zealand

The hosts would like to field the same XI which lost the thriller against England a couple of days ago. It was the superiority of the bowlers of their opposition at the death more than anything else in the last match. The opening duo of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro is in amazing form as they’ve provided the side with some great starts in this series. The middle order has been flexible with the team pushing the hitters up the order to increase the run rate. The bowling, however, has to improve as they concede a lot at the death.

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

Australia

Even Australia would not be wanting to disturb their winning combination which has done so well in the series. Even the skipper Warner gained confidence in the last match by scoring a blazing half-century. D’Arcy Short has done no harm in the chances he has received so far and is set to retain his place in the T20 side at least for now.The visitors probably have more variety in the bowling attack compared to their opponents which might play a decisive role in the big game.

Probable XI: David Warner, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake

Head to Head

Total games played – 8, Australia won – 6, New Zealand won -1, Tied – 1

Focus will be on

Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Martin Guptill would be riding high on confidence as he has been in great form in this series with two half-centuries and a century. He is the highest run-getter of the series with 237 runs in four outings and would love to play another big knock in the mega-finale. Guptill tore apart the Aussie bowlers in their last encounter and smashed his second T20I ton. However, he would be eager to make sure that his knock comes in the winning cause for his team.

D’Arcy Short (Australia)

D’Arcy Short has more or less sealed his place in Australia’s T20 side on a long-term basis with his consistent show at the top. He was the vital cog in their record run chase of 244 last week and remained unbeaten until the end to win the game for his team. Moreover, the left-hander has also expressed his desire to continue as the opener which is his natural position. Short will be itching to play yet another match-winning knock for Australia which will also hand them the number 1 ranking in the format.