Before the New Zealand tour Fox was constantly promoting the ODI series by saying that while New Zealand may be the number one rugby side, and the number one rugby league side, when it comes to cricket Australia rules.
Oops.
Since the 159-run hammering by the Kiwis in the first ODI at Eden Park last Wednesday, the promo hasn’t returned.
Today, skipper Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann will be reunited for the second ODI at Wellington, as Lehmann returns from having been hospitalised with deep vein thrombosis, which saw him miss the hammering.
It was humiliating for the Australians as the world champions who are so comprehensively on top of the world ODI rankings:
Australia – 127 points
New Zealand – 113
India – 113
South Africa – 111
Sri Lanka – 104
England – 102
So expect a far better showing from the Australians with Smith and Lehmann back in operation. They are a great combo with the added bonus of Usman Khawaja’s long overdue selection, and the debut of exciting leggie Adam Zampa.
Shaun Marsh makes way for Khawaja, while James Faulkner’s hamstring has forced him to return home, opening the door for Zampa.
Khawaja will open with David Warner, followed by Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh – with all of them expected to get among the runs.
Substituting Shaun Marsh for Khawaja, those top six could only manage 37 between them off 53 deliveries at Eden Park, creating a traffic jam at the gate.
To say that was a shock would be the understatement of the year for the best ODI side in the world.
But it wasn’t only the failure of the batsmen, the bowlers weren’t too crash hot either.
Josh Hazlewood is supposed to be the metronome of the attack, but he was carted for 20 off his second over by Brendon McCullum with 6, 4, 4, 6 off his last four deliveries. He finished with 2-68 off his 10.
New ball partner Kane Richardson wasn’t much better with 0-64 off his 10 – another weird selection. Why was James Pattinson playing in a Sheffield Shield game for the Vics while Richardson was labouring at Eden Park?
That left the two most economical bowlers as veteran John Hastings claimed 1-38 off 10, and Mitchell Marsh 2-35 off 7.
This is where Zampa’s inclusion will give skipper Smith a genuine spin option that was lacking at Eden Park.
Zampa has courage, he’s not afraid to give the ball plenty of air, he extracts turn and has a good wrong ‘un, giving himself three wicket-taking options
Contrary to many opinions, leggies have a place in ODI cricket and hopefully Zampa grabs the opportunity with both hands.
Today will be a very important part of this summer, particularly after losing all three Twenty20s to India.
It’s also important for Smith and Lehmann to regain control of the side that went AWOL at Eden Park.
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