Published: Feb 01, 2017, 04:41 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 01, 2017, 04:45 PM (IST)
Chasing 287, Australia were 67 for 6. It became 148 for 7 in 34.3 overs. The equation read 139 runs off 93 balls. Marcus Stoinis was breathing fire with the blade and brought down the equation to 7 off 19 balls with 1 wicket remaining. New Zealand were on their knees but a run out, out of nowhere, gave them a 1-0 lead in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2017. Stoinis’ efforts will be remembered for long but his strokeplay went in vain. Nonetheless, both teams must have moved on from their nail-biting series opener and will look to make the most of the second ODI. Hosts, New Zealand, will be eager to seal the series whereas visitors will be hoping to keep it alive till the decider on Sunday.
With plenty to play for, spectators can expect another rollicking contest at Napier. Both camps have lost key players. New Zealand have lost the in-form Martin Guptill whereas Australia’s stand-in captain Matthew Wade is out of the series. Nonetheless, there are some intense battles on the cards. Here are some key clashes that may unfold on the 22-yard between two heavyweight teams:
Tom Latham vs Marcus Stoinis: Latham is a force to reckon with across formats. He clicked in the tough tour of India and was at par against Pakistan and Bangladesh but flopped in the Chappell-Hadlee 2017 opener. Having said that, the left-hander will be eager to make amends in the second ODI. He will be up against in-form all-rounder, Stoinis. The first ODI belonged to Australia’s 27-year-old who did not put a wrong foot with both bat and ball. Before amassing 146 off 117 balls, he castled three Kiwi batsmen with his pace and variations. He will be a good contest for Latham who is generally comfortable against pace but will be tested against Stoinis’ variations.
Stoinis vs law of average and Mitchell Santner: The law of average generally does not belong to a player who had a memorable run in his last outing. Stoinis’ biggest battle will be against the ‘law of averages’ as he will try to unleash the long handle to good effect at Napier. Despite his belligerent knock, Santner conceded only 44 runs in 10 overs, claiming 3 wickets and gave away only two maximums to Stoinis. Amidst absolute carnage and clear hitting, Santner held his nerves and leaked only 32 runs from 31 deliveries bowled to the right-hander. He will again pose a threat to Stoinis who will be gutted after losing the opening match by a whisker. If he clicks again, New Zealand will run out of ideas to stop his onslaught.
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Kane Williamson vs Josh Hazlewood: Perfectionists in their respective departments, Hazlewood and Williamson will look to set up a riveting clash between bat and ball, which might determine the outcome of the contest. If Williamson is Kiwis’ mainstay, Hazlewood is loaded with responsibilities to churn out wickets and give away minimum runs. Both the players will be vital for their sides’ supremacy and give the crowd plenty to cheer for on Thursday.
Mitchell Starc vs Colin Munro: Munro has been entrusted to pile on runs down the order. It seems like he is auditioning for the finishers’ role due to his hard-hitting skills. The left-hander will eye quick runs in the death overs but will be a tough ask with Starc running in from other end. Starc is menacing in the final overs with his toe-crunching yorkers and full-length deliveries. It will be a task for Munro to get the better of Starc but, nonetheless, it promises to be a cracking contest between New Zealand’s genuine hitter and Australia’s pace spearhead.
Tim Southee vs James Faulkner: Southee was hammered for plenty in the first ODI with Stoinis going bonkers from the other end. An experienced campaigner like Southee, he will be upbeat to better his numbers in the second game. He is a game winner for Williamson’s side and will look to learn from his mistakes. Apart from providing early breakthroughs, he will be entrusted to keep a lid on the scoreboard, especially in the death overs. Australia bat deep with players like Faulkner, Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell in the middle. Southee will have to be on his toes against all three and especially Faulkner who is a street-smart customer in the final overs. He missed out on the first game and will be charged up to make it count with the willow in the second ODI.
