 Napier will host the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand.
This is a five match series, and the two teams had tied for the T20Is, 1-1. The
Aussies lost their first ever game this summer, when they went down to New Zealand
in a thrilling encounter at Christchurch, but it was not before the game ended
in a tie and went into the Super Over.
The Aussies have won 12 out of the last 14 ODIs, with the other two games being
abandoned due to rain, which means that they will go into the game as favourites.
Having said that, they will be wary of the Kiwi batting which blasted some of
the Aussie bowlers away, and out of the attack in the second T20I.
Click Here to Watch New Zealand vs Australia LiveWith Brendon McCullum finding his long lost form after a long time,
the Aussie bowlers better beware of his big, broad blade. They will also want
to get the better of the rest of the middle order, especially that of Ross Taylor,
who was in some good touch before this tour. Peter Ingram looked like a fish
out of water, but it is difficult to judge a player on the basis of two failures
of T20Is, and instead, the Kiwis will look to persist with him at the top of
the order.
Instead, one gets the sense that the Kiwis will look to add an extra batsman
to their side, and reduce the number of bits and pieces cricketers. The problem
with having these bits and pieces guys is that some of them have not been able
to add much batting to the side, and in turn, cannot be trusted with their ten
overs in the game.
Australia will not be too perturbed by their first loss this summer, but will
know that complacency is the last thing that should get into. They will be captained
by Ricky Ponting, instead of Michael Clarke, and in all probabilities,
one may see Dave Warner making it to the side in place of Shaun Marsh who has
been injured. The rest of the batting may remain the same, with the likes of
Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris featuring in the line-up
apart from Nathan Hauritz, who will replace Steve Smith.
The Australian bowling, which has been a difficult proposition for the opposition,
will be without two of their T20I specialists, Dirk Nannes and Shaun
Tait, and that will provide the side with much respite. Tough to take a call
on who wins the first game, but it will definitely set the trend for the rest
of the series.
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