The dearth of cricket between Australia and New Zealand in recent years has been ridiculous. Six hundred and twenty one days – that’s how long it’s been since they last faced off in an ODI match.
Two – that’s how many ODIs the cross-Tasman rivals have played in the past five years.
Three years and two months – that’s the time which has elapsed since the most recent Test match between the sides.
Five years – that’s how long it’s been since Australia played a Test in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, in the past 19 months alone, Australia have encountered England in 13 ODIs and 10 Tests, with another smorgasbord of cricket coming up in just a few months during the next Ashes tour.
On Saturday we will finally get to see the Aussies and the Kiwis battle once more. It is the most eagerly-anticipated match of the World Cup to date, with Australia travelling to Eden Park in Auckland to clash with the Kiwis.
Australia are in commanding touch, having won 12 of their past 13 completed ODI games. New Zealand also are in striking form, with three straight wins to begin the tournament, including a phenomenal dismantling of England on Friday.
At Eden Park we will see whether this young Kiwi side can live up to the hype. Opposed to the intimidating Australia, who have been at or near the top of the ODI heap for 20 years, how will they react?
It promises to be one of the most enthralling 50-over matches we have seen for many years. Part of the reason for that is the mystery element – we have no recent encounters between the sides to use as a form guide.
Hopefully we will not see another drought of cricket between the sides any time soon.
Granted, Test matches between Australia and New Zealand were a non-event for many years because of the Kiwis’ inability to even compete with their powerful rivals. There also were periods when New Zealand were a floundering ODI team incapable of challenging Australia.
But over the past 18 months the Kiwis have flourished and look set to only get better given the wealth of young talent at their disposal. Australia, too, look likely to continue to be one of the elite teams in Tests and ODIs for the foreseeable future.
The makings are there for a sensational era of competition between these two cricketing nations.
New Zealand may just have their best Test and ODI teams in their history. Not since Richard Hadlee was befuddling batsmen have they been such a force in world cricket.
The foundation of any great team is a potent pace attack and the Kiwis have the best young new ball pairing in the world in Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who are just 25 and 26 years old respectively.
They have batting silk in the form of 30-year-old Ross Taylor and 24-year-old maestro Kane Williamson, who looks set to compete for the title of world’s best batsman in the years to come.
A natural and innovative leader can also lift a team to a different level and Brendon McCullum has done just that with his bold captaincy.
As a unit they match up very well with Australia in all formats. Beyond this World Cup, in which the two sides are among the top three favourites to win, there is a delectable summer of cricket shaping up in 2015-16.
Australia and New Zealand will play each other in six Tests in that season, with three matches in each country.
We should see some remarkable new rivalries form. Boult and Southee versus David Warner and Steve Smith. Josh Hazlewood versus Williamson. Nathan Lyon versus Taylor. Mitch Marsh versus Corey Anderson in an all-rounder showdown.
The next decade has the potential to be the greatest-ever era of the cross-Tasman rivalry.
Let’s hope cricket administrators ensure they are given frequent opportunities to match their talents against one another.
Hayden
Guest
West Indies are scheduled to play the Boxing Day and New Years Test in 2015-16. Simply swap it for New Zealand and play the Day Night Test in Adelaide on December 11-15 to round out a 3 Test series against New Zealand.
Don Freo
Guest
Stats lie more often than they speak the truth. It all depends on the questions you ask. Whose was the more impressive feat? Gayle's 16 sixes at Manuka or Sharma's on a postage stamp? The stats say they were equally impressive. I say Gayle was.
TheMonkeyThatLivesInYourHead
Guest
Stats don't lie in cricket, Don. The team that scores more runs than the the other team wins, full stop. Ozzie's pace attack outside of Stark isn't that good in ODIs (different story in Tests). They win through amassing big totals (they bat deep, all at a good SR). That's just plain fact. Some one eyed yellow supporters don't change that. People who believe in sky fairies and that evolution is a hoax also make up their minds regardless of facts. It doesn't change the fact that they, like yourself, are wrong. Jake, this ozzie side hasn't won anything yet either, except pasting two sides one of which NZ annihilated this time last year and the other a side NZ just gave a record beating too. Two sides that can't play pace bowling (England can't play any type of bowling barring Scotland's). Not a very good indicator of bowling strength. MCCullum has been a bigger problem for OZ in NZ based games than any current Aussie batsman has on average. So I guess I shouldn't be worried about OZ's batman or their bowlers on by your reasoning. Good to know. You're also wrong about McCullum being like AB. Over the past 2 years Williamson, Taylor, Ronchi, Anderson have all got higher averages during this period than McCullum in ODIs. It's why NZ lower order batsman score more runs at a faster rate than any other team. The AB/Amla problem is why SA are the worst of all the top 8 nations at chasing totals above 250.
West
Guest
Agree, NZ vs AUST would be great!!!! .... For NZ cricket, Australians might get bored flogging a weaker side. Llike the All Blacks vs Wallabys. However when a team like the Black Caps start to show form and put up a better fight, things start to get interesting.... Like the Wallabies who are starting to get better. While both teams are in great shape they need to make the most of it, put some one day test series together..... Roll the dice and see what happens. Maybe a 20/20 tri Series with SA, NZ and AUST.
jamesb
Guest
With Australia playing away in NZ and the fact they haven't played for two weeks, does give NZ the inside running against Australia. If Australia loses, not all is lost. If they finish top two, then they have somewhat an "easier" draw. Also remember the Asian Cup. Korea beat the Socceroos in the group stage, then both met in the final for the Socceroos to reverse the result. Fair chance that NZ beats Australia on Saturday. Fair chance Australia and NZ playoff in the final with Australia winning at the MCG. But hey, still a long way to go. Could be India v Sri Lanka final.
matth
Guest
It's a travesty that we don't play more often. surely a home and away test or 3-4 ODI's to start or finish the season every 1-2 years can be managed?
matth
Guest
Southee is that good that he makes the test team twice Ronan? If he bowls like he did against England I have no problem with that :-)
Te Rangatira
Guest
I spose the only way the Blackcaps can earn the respect of the Aussie Cricket supporters is to go out on Sunday and win well. If they were to become World Champions by some miracle , then we will see the Aussies come a knocking.....
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Brad, this is why it is so critical that the likes of NZ, WI and SL are playing well. It inspires mainstream interest in cricket in those countries, and if they can beat the likes of England, Australia and India (ESPECIALLY INDIA) regularly, then the power base will begin to slowly shift. This is why I love watching India lose. It improves the global health of the game.
Don Freo
Guest
Not Shaun Tait. He wouldn't understand what happened. As far as a ramp shot goes, don't think that is a sign of a good batsman. It is just a snick over the keeper's head and a crazy tailender's shot of desperation. If McCullum is going to claim that as batsmanship, it sums up his limitations.
Olddantucker
Guest
You'd think he'd remember the guy who ramped him for 6 twice in a 20/20 international.
Jake
Guest
"But – seriously – it’s New Zealand. How many of them would make our best ODI XI? Or even our best Test XI for that matter?" McCullum could make the side as keeper. Maybe one their bowlers as a 4th seamer to complement Harris, Johnson, Pattinson/Bird/Hazelwood. That Williamson guy seems pretty handy, so maybe play him at 3. The rest? nah
Jake
Guest
Seems to be a few upset NZ'ers. Not sure why. NZ haven't done or won anything yet. They aren't ranked as one of the top 3 sides. They are well behind Aust, SA and India. NZ are over-rating themselves. Agree with Don Freo about McCullum. He's rarely (or never) been a problem for Australia and can't see that changing. He is what AB is to SA. Get McCullum out cheaply and the rest will fold like cards.
Bobbo7
Guest
NZ has played the Wallabies for years despite the wobblies... Australia owe it to NZ and to cricket
Don Freo
Guest
No one in the world has a better pace attack than Oz. You could believe a mathematician on Cricinfo...or you could watch cricket. This side of the ditch, we watch games and make up our own minds. I'd suggest you watch them play each other and then revise what Cricinfo has told you. Bangladesh might be better than 4 of those 5 but one of them is not Australia. Now go back to Cricinfo and tell me McCullum's batting average against us.
John
Guest
1. Many of the sixes actually cleared the fence. I don't know what you're on about. I was at the game pal. 2. This NZ team doesn't mind playing pace. Remember they carted around Steyn, Morkel etc. in the warm up games and thrashed SA. 3. Australia's pace attack is overrated actually - have a look at the recent Cricinfo stats. This will blow your mind. Australia are 5th in Fast Bowling since 2014 in average and strike rate. Bangladesh, NZ, India and South Africa are all ahead of them. Their ODI success if built on their batting. That's clear cut. You can throw opinions at me buddy, but the stats don't lie!. 4. You basically contradict yourself by asking "what makes you think he will succeed now" - then you go on to mention the small boundaries. So Eden Park has small boundaries and that's where they are playing this w.e. - so he will succeed now won't he? You may want some ice for that burn buddy.
Targa
Guest
Apparently the Chappell-Hadlee trophy is on the line on Saturday. NZ hasplayed 70 ODIs since thelast WC but only one against Australia (arained out match in the Champs Trophy). We certainly needto play more http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/66558349/chappellhadlee-trophy-back-on-the-line-for-world-cup-blockbuster-in-auckland
James
Guest
It's the stadium in Wellington regularly referred to as "The Cake tin." Much better shape for cricket but the capacity is 15 000 lower than Eden Park.
Don Freo
Guest
Has the leadership changed? When? Isn't Clarke captain still with Bailey VC? Has that changed?
Don Freo
Guest
Australia