After a major anti-climax in Napier, where game two was farcically abandoned without a ball being bowled, the Chappell-Hadlee series comes down to the third and final game in Hamilton. A New Zealand victory would mean they reclaim the trophy and ensure sweet revenge after being humiliatingly whitewashed in Australia just two months ago.
New Zealand will have to win the series the hard way with Martin Guptill, their most aggressive batsman, ruled out of the match after sustaining a hamstring injury in game one. Guptill’s absence robs them of much firepower and places a heavy burden on Kane Williamson, their captain and best batsman.
However, a key part of New Zealand’s sustained success in the 50-over format over the years has been their spread of contributors which came to the fore during a tight victory in game one. New Zealand were able to get out of strife at 134 for 5 to make 286 for 9 – which proved just enough – thanks to an industrious half-century from 33-year-old Neil Broom and contributions down the order.
New Zealand were terrific with the ball, having Australia in a major hole at 67 for 6 before Marcus Stoinis batting at No.7 delivered a performance for the ages to nearly conjure a miraculous victory for the visitors. New Zealand’s bowling was ragged as they became rattled by Stoinis’s audacious counterattacking.
With the pitch at Seddon Park expected to be slow, New Zealand have drafted in Ish Sodhi, the legspinner, who starred in the recent Big Bash League for the Adelaide Strikers. He looms as a key bowler with Australian batsmen often being tangled by spin and undone when trying to be overly aggressive.
Meanwhile, if they win the finale, Australia would take great satisfaction over a squared series, considering it is a weakened squad highlighted by stand-in skipper Aaron Finch being the team’s fourth captaincy choice. More importantly, a victory would ensure Australia retain their No.1 One-Day International (ODI) world ranking. If Australia lose and South Africa beat Sri Lankaon Saturday(February 4) then the AB de Villers’ men will become the new world No.1.
With Stoinis unexpectedly being a one-man show in Auckland, Australia will need a more rounded performance if they are to retain the Chappell-Hadlee series. Finch, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb – who will also be taking the gloves with regular ‘keeper Matthew Wade injured – will be striving for big scores to keep alive their hopes of making the squad for the Champions Trophy mid-year, which will be Australia’s next ODI assignment.
With much to play for, the series decider has all the ingredients of being a Trans-Tasman classic.
When: Sunday, February 5 2017;11:00Local;03:30 IST
Where: Seddon Park, Hamilton
What to expect: Much to the relief of everybody, the forecast is for a sunny day in Hamilton. The pitch is expected to be dry and fairly slow, meaning a score of around 250 could suffice.
Team News
Australia : Sam Heazlett, who made 4 in game one during his international debut, is likely to play in the series decider. On a slower deck, Adam Zampa, the Australian legspinner, will be considered for a recall but Australia are likely to stick with paceman Pat Cummins and back their trio of quicks.
New Zealand : In a major blow for the Black Caps, opener Guptill has been unable to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in game one and will miss the match. Dean Brownlie, who has not played international cricket in over two years, was called into the squad ahead of game two and is in line for a comeback at Hamilton. Ish Sodhi, the legspinner, has been included in the squad and is likely to play.
What they said
“We had to win two from two. Now we just have to win one from one and try to tie the series up,” – Aaron Finch
“It’s all to play for in Hamilton. We’re going to be primed and ready to go, we were ready to go (in Napier),” – Mike Hesson
Did you know?
- Glenn Maxwell is 53 runs away from 2000 career ODI runs, while James Faulkner is 12 short of 1000 runs and eight wickets shy of 100 ODI scalps.
- New Zealand have won three of four encounters against Australia at Seddon Park.
- New Zealand have a formidable record at Seddon Park having won 16 from 22 ODI matches with just four losses. Two matches were abandoned.
Squads
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sam Heazlett
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Dean Brownlie, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi.
