After that intriguing series against Team India, the Aussies will now travel to their neighboring country- New Zealand. The 5-match T20I series to set to be played from the 22nd of February to the 7th of March.
The first encounter between the two sides is set to be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The Baggy green will come into this series on the back of a 2-1 loss against the Indians. They have also been the loss in the Test series, they would be hoping the momentum swings in their favor just in time.
The hosts on the other side have been an invincible force at the home post the resumption of the sport following the forced break. New Zealand will be feeling more confident among the two teams as they come on the back of a 2-1 series against Pakistan.
The last time the two teams in a T20I was at the finals of the Trans- Tasman T20I series which the Aussies won by 19 runs. While this will also mark the first bilateral T20 series between the two sides in over 5 years as the last series between the sides had to called-off due to the pandemic.
Can the World no.2 Australians get back to their winning ways? Or will the kiwis keep dominating the visiting teams in their backyard?
Match Toss Time: 18:30 Local (11:00 IST)
Match Start Time: 19:00 Local (11:30 IST)
Match Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Weather Report
The conditions are expected to be overcast throughout the duration of the game but nothing that threatens to stop play. The temperature is expected to be hovering in the 19- 16 degree Celsius and the humidity is anticipated to be on the higher side- 74% at the peak.
Pitch
This is will be only the second T20I to be played at the Hagley Oval. The pitch is ideal wicket to bat on as the ball is expected to come well onto the bat. The pacers too will get some assistance from the pitch as they are expected to extract a good bounce off the pitch. The team batting first should be looking to score around the 170-180 mark and the toss is not expected to play a vital role at this venue.
Team News
New Zealand have not reported any injuries and they look a well-balanced side. The openers Martin Guptill and Wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert are in incredible form and their skipper Kane Williamson will carry on from the openers, making the top three tenacious. The bowling duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult are only expected to make life tougher for the Aussie batsmen.
Australia on the other side managed to unearth several exemplary talents in the recently concluded Big Bash League. Riley Meredith, who was recently sold for 8 crores in the IPL auction has earned a call-up for International services. Along with pacer, BBL 2020’s highest run-getter Josh Philippe and Tanveer Sangha are also included in the squad.
Josh Philippe is expected to open the innings along with skipper- Aaron Finch. While Riley Meredith and Tanveer Sangha might have to wait for a few matches before they make their debut.
Probable Playing Xl
New Zealand (NZ): Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner/Mark Chapman, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Australia (Aus): Aaron Finch (c), Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh/ D’Arcy Short, Daniel Sams, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Agar
NZ vs Aus Fantasy Team
Tim Seifert, Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, James Neesham, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa
Captain Picks: Kane Williamson (NZ), Glenn Maxwell (Aus)
Vice-captain Picks: Marcus Stoinis (Aus), Tim Seifert (NZ)
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