New Zealand v Australia, 3rd ODI, Seddon Park - Preview
There's a lot on the line in the third and final One-Day International between New Zealand and Australia on Sunday (February 5) with both teams desperately seeking victory to secure the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.
New Zealand squeezed out a six-run win over its opponent at Eden Park on Monday, negating Marcus Stoinis's brilliant effort, where he hit an unbeaten 146 off 117 balls batting at No. 7.
But with the second match in Napier being abandoned due to rain on Wednesday, Australia has been left with no choice but to force a victory in the final encounter to square the series 1-1. That would allow it to retain the trophy; should it lose, New Zealand will be in possession of it.
It has been five days since players from both sides have had any match practice. Australia has had personnel issues -- it first lost Steven Smith, its regular captain, to injury before the series, rested David Warner, and then had Matthew Wade, the stand-in captain, ruled out of the competition on the eve of the opening game with a back problem -- but can't hide behind excuses as the No. 1 side in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings.
Aaron Finch, who will lead the side, will have pave the way, and the likes of Travis Head, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell will need to chip in.
Meanwhile, Martin Guptill, New Zealand's regular opener in limited-overs cricket, has been ruled out of the contest with a hamstring injury, which he picked up during the first encounter. He had scored 61 off 73 balls in the first encounter.
In his place, Dean Brownlie, the Northern Districts batsman, is set to play his first game for the national side since late 2014 and open the batting. He has played 10 ODIs for New Zealand and has a batting average of 25.37, with a high score of 47 and a strike rate of 74.35.
Tom Latham, who has previously played alongside the 32-year-old in Canterbury, and said he was looking forward to batting with Brownlie once again at the top of the order.
"I played at Canterbury with Dean for a few years, so I know what a high-class player he is," Latham told reporters on the eve of the match. "He's done well against Australia in the past in the longer form. He'll be looking forward to getting a crack -- he hasn't played for New Zealand for a while and I'm sure he'll be raring to go.
"It goes with everyone in the team, whoever you bat with -- you need to form that communication. Dean's one of those guys I like to bat with."
The home side is likely to make another change to the playing XI with Ish Sodhi, the legspinner, being brought in to the squad for the match on his home ground. Sodhi could replace either Lockie Furguson or Jimmy Neesham if New Zealand opt to strengthen its spin attack for the match. Tim Southee and Trent Boult are expected to assume responsibility in the pace department.
Tom Blundell, the wicketkeeper, has been released from the squad, which means Latham will also assume the role behind the stumps again.
Seddon Park has been sporting dry, slow pitches in recent times, and it is once again expected to assist spinners on Sunday. The forecast in Hamilton points towards a bright day, with temperature ranging from 22-28°C.
Teams (from):New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Dean Brownlie, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi.**Australia:**Aaron Finch (capt), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Sam Heazlett, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.