Published: Jan 30, 2017, 01:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2017, 11:56 PM (IST)
New Zealand and Australia meet for the first of the three One-Day International (ODI) series on Monday. The live streaming of the first ODI will be available on Sky Go. After being whitewashed in the previous edition of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, held in Australia, Kiwis will be eager to make the most of this series held in their own backyard. Both sides will eye for a good start in the series opener and go 1-0 up in the series on Monday. The opener will be played at Eden Park, Auckland. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs Australia 1st ODI at Auckland
Australia were demolished in South Africa. They were clean swept in a five-match series, but have been able to turn the tides since then. They bounced back in the 50-over format by mauling Kiwis in their own den and retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Kiwis were no match for the Aussies, who played to their potential and gave no room for the visitors. They even trounced Pakistan in the five-match series that ended last week and will be confident of maintaining form despite the absence of star players like Usman Khawaja, David Warner and skipper Steven Smith.
New Zealand, on the other hand, faced defeats in India and Australia to end 2016 on a sour note. Nonetheless, they humiliated Bangladesh in a three-match series to regain form, and will fancy their chances against Matthew Wade-led side. The last encounter between both sides at Auckland was a cliffhanger in the group stage match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, wherein hosts emerged victorious by 1 wicket. Another close contest is expected in the series opener on Monday.
