Visitors Australia will have a couple of important things on the line when they meet hosts the New Zealand to play the third and final ODI of the Chappell–Hadlee ODI series at the Seddon Park, Hamilton. The Blackcaps, with help of the narrow win at 2nd ODI at Auckland, lead the series with 1-0 after the opening match at Napier was abandoned due to a damp outfield.
New Zealand will walk in with less pressure as a win would help regain the trophy which defines the Trans-Tasman rivalry between both the teams. Australia, on the other hand, will have to win the upcoming game. This will enable them to level the series and keep the trophy in their cabinet while also staying on top of the ODI rankings. A loss tomorrow would mean that if South Africa trump Sri Lanka on February 4 at Johannesburg, then the Aussies might have to give away the top spot to the Proteas.
Team Composition:
Both teams will see a slew of changes, all courtesy to injuries. In the New Zealand camp, opener Martin Guptill is yet to recover and will be missing out this game as well. Opener Dean Brownlie will most likely take his place at the top with Tom Latham as his opening partner. The slow nature of the pitch has prompted the sectors to bring in back in form Ish Sodhi to the scheme of things.
The leggie was dropped late last year due to a drop in performance but has renounced himself with sterling performances for the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. Also, wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, who was sitting unused in the squad has been released. The rest of the line-up will remain the same.
Australia is also expected to change their side a bit starting with the leadership which will be in the hands of Aaron Finch who gets the opportunity in the absence of regular skipper Steven Smith who is injured and David Warner who has been rested. Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade also will be absent due to a back injury. Peter Handscomb will take the gloves in his absence while Sam Heazelt will also get another opportunity to prove himself.
Travis Head and Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell fill the rest of the top six. Marcus Stoinis, the fast bowling all-rounder, who scripted a huge climax at Auckland, will yet again be under the spotlight and will have James Faulkner as the other all-rounder. Pat Cummins, however, might lose his place to leg-spinner Adam Zampa if the selectors opt for a spin bowler.
Probable XI:
New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Dean Brownlie, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi.
Australia:
Aaron Finch (C), Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Sam Heazlett, Marcus Stoinis, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins/Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.
Stats that matter:
- These teams have met in four ODIs in Hamilton – New Zealand have won three and Australia one
- Australia boasts four batsmen in the top 20 of the ICC’s ODI rankings but only one of them – Glenn Maxwell – will play in this game. Smith is injured, Warner resting, and George Bailey dropped.
- Glenn Maxwell is 53 runs away from 2000 career ODI runs.
- James Faulkner is 12 short of 1000 runs and eight wickets shy of 100 ODI scalps.
Match Timings:
Match begins at 3: 30 IST
Who said what?
“Martin has made progress in the last couple of days, but it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be available for selection,” New Zealand national selector Gavin Larsen said.
“We had to win two from two. Now we just have to win one from one and try to tie the series up,” – Aaron Finch