Published: Feb 04, 2017, 06:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 04, 2017, 06:05 PM (IST)
With the second One-Day International (ODI) at Napier washed out due to rain and wet outfield, the third ODI between Australia and New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy becomes a crucial one. New Zealand have to win to regain the trophy, while Australia have to win to retain it. If the series ends 1-1, Australia, having regained the trophy in December, will hang on to it till these two teams play next. Despite the rain staying away for hours, the outfield was too damp and was considered dangerous for the match to begin at Napier. As a result, the Napier City Council has launched an inquiry to look into this issue. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs Australia Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 3rd ODI at Hamilton
However, Australia came within touching distance of winning the first match, thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ heroics. Australia are certainly not playing a full-fledged squad, as both skipper Steven Smith and his deputy David Warner are not participating. But they still have enough firepower in both the batting and the bowling department to go on and win this match under Aaron Finch. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was named captain ahead of the series, but an injury has forced him to miss his first assignment as Australia captain. New Zealand too have to deal with the injury to Martin Guptill. As a result, Dean Brownlie has been called up as his replacement.
While New Zealand will have to make a change for the decider, will Australia too make a change or two in the match? Let us take a look at the likely XI for both sides:
Top-order: The hosts will surely have a new opening combination in this match. Tom Latham will be partnered by Brownlie, who last played an ODI for New Zealand in December 2014. Brownlie has opened the innings for New Zealand 4 times, scoring 137 runs at 34.25. With Brownlie opening the innings, there is no need to shuffle the rest of the batting order. Skipper Kane Williamson will walk in at No. 3. Williamson got off to a start in the first game, but could not convert it. He was in good form in the limited-overs and the Test series against Bangladesh. His team will want him to get a big score in this crucial match. New Zealand vs Australia 3rd ODI at Hamilton: Preview
As far as Australia are concerned, they will continue to persist with Finch and Travis Head. Head struck a sublime ton in the fifth ODI against Pakistan and despite his failure in the first match, he is still Australia’s best bet to open the innings. Finch will look to lead by example and get Australia off to a good start. Australia have been served well over the last year or so with explosive starts from Warner. Finch will try to replicate that at the top. Being in and out of the side, this is perhaps the best chance for someone like Shaun Marsh to get a big score in a crunch game and book his place in the next series. Marsh is a treat to watch once he gets going. No. 3 is perhaps the best position for him as he will have a lot of time to get his eye in before he starts playing his shots.
Middle-order: The New Zealand middle-order looks much more balanced than the Australians. For New Zealand, the experienced Ross Taylor will come in at 4, whereas for Australia, the inexperienced Peter Handscomb will be handed the responsibility. Handscomb has taken giant strides in the international arena and is now burdened with the responsibility of keeping wickets as well. Australia too have an explosive batsman in Glenn Maxwell at No. 5. After near match-winning innings, Stoinis might be promoted to No. 6, with newbie Sam Heazlett dropping to No. 7. Heazlett, with a List A average of over 58, will add depth to the Australian batting at No. 7. James Faulkner and Pat Cummins too played a crucial knock in the first game and will be expected to use the long handle at the end of the innings. READ: NZ vs AUS, 3rd ODI at Hamilton: Marcus Stoinis vs Trent Boult and other key battles
Neil Broom and the explosive duo of Colin Munro and Jimmy Neesham will be up next for New Zealand.
Bowlers: Ish Sodhi was recalled for the third ODI and he is most likely to play this match. New Zealand as a result will have two spinners in their XI – the other one being Mitchell Santner. New Zealand also have Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme in their squad, if they intend on playing just a spinner. But having recalled Sodhi for the final game, chances of him playing are very high.
Australia in response would want to give Adam Zampa a go. Australia did not go in with a single spinner in the first game. As a result, part-timer Head had to chip in with five overs. With the pitch expected to be a bit dry and slow, it will not be a bad idea to have Zampa in the XI, in place of Cummins, who was very expensive in the first game. Although it will be harsh to drop Cummins for this match after he played a brilliant knock down the order. Australia will still have a good balance with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood leading the bowling attack. Faulkner and Stoinis too can chip in with 10 overs apiece.
For New Zealand, it will be usual duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee leading the attack.
New Zealand likely XI: Dean Brownlie, Tom Latham (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.
Australia Likely XI: Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell, , Marcus Stoinis, Sam Heazlett, James Faulkner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.
