Australia continue their jam-packed summer of cricket with a trip across the ditch, as they get set for a three-match series for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy against New Zealand. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 9am (AEDT).
After wrapping up the five-match series against Pakistan in Adelaide on Thursday, Australia will play for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the second time within two months.
In what could only be considered questionable scheduling, Australia still have two limited-overs series – an away series against New Zealand and a home series versus Sri Lanka – before embarking on a four match Test series against India in just three weeks.
The head honchos at Cricket Australia and their New Zealand counterparts seem to be making up for lost time, planning three series within the space of 12 months, after a near six-year absence of a standalone series.
After suffering three drubbings on Australian soil, in which the World Cup finalists were bitterly disappointing losing two games by over 100 runs, the Kiwis will be keen to put on a better performance for their home fans.
The Black Caps seem to be getting their trans-Tasman rivals at the right time, with both captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner missing the series.
While Warner was scheduled for a break after not missing any international duty since mid-last year, Steve Smith’s absence was not planned after the captain succumbed to an ankle injury against Pakistan. Oft-maligned wicket-keeper Matthew Wade will step in as captain for the duration of the series.
Shaun Marsh and former T20 captain Aaron Finch have been recalled to national duty and will likely open the innings for Australia. The pair will be looking to reclaim their first wicket record after David Warner and Travis Head set a new benchmark of 284 against Pakistan.
For the hosts, Ross Taylor returns to the ODI batting line-up for the first time since October last year. After failing to post a score in excess of 265 in the preceding series, the Black Caps will welcome the addition of their star batsman.
However, New Zealand will be without regular wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi due to an adductor injury. In his stead opener Tom Latham will don the gloves.
Prediction
Although the visitors will be without their captain and vice-captain – who double as their best two batsmen – Australia are not to be underestimated due to their elite bowling unit.
With Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc leading the attack, the Australians are more than capable of restricting any batting line up.
That being said, with the return of former skipper Ross Taylor to bolster the batting and the miniscule boundary size of Eden Park suiting the likes of big-hitting pair Martin Guptill and Colin Munro, New Zealand should be far more potent as team in home conditions.
New Zealand to draw first blood in the series with a tight win.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 9am (AEDT).
TC123
Guest
But lost
TC123
Guest
Yes, great loss Australia
The Bush
Roar Guru
I thought Maxwell was pretty good against Pakistan.
The Bush
Roar Guru
And what line up doesn't look "average" without its two best bats? These sorts of comments are so weird. We nearly won an away game without three first choice batsman and our first choice keeper? Well done Australia.
13th man
Guest
Apart from that innings in Canberra, Marsh has done nothing in all the other ODI's that he's played this summer. Yes he got injured in the Pakistan series but did nothing in the first two games. The only format Marsh has any credibility in is T20.
Don Freo
Guest
He got out doing what he did all the way through the partnership. Trying to get Stoinis on strike scored almost 50 partnership. It fails once and it is silly? He just went too far. It was great until then.
Don Freo
Guest
Not happy with Marsh's ODI and BBL form? Why? ODI average over 45 last few years and BBL this season was 70 over his 3 innings. It doesn't have to be either/or. Faulkner is the vulnerable one.
AREH
Roar Guru
Given the squad was picked a couple of weeks back I'd say Stoinis has left his run too late. Plus his FC season has hardly warranted a test selection at this stage.
Rob
Guest
To be fair if you are from NSW you are given a lot more opportunity to succeed in the national team. Stoinis is not from NSW and Hazelwood basically lost the game to be honest. I do recall Australia being bowled out for 60 at Trent Bridge in 2015 and the team had 7 NSW and 3 WA players in it? The sole Queenslander (M.Johnson) top scored with 13.
13th man
Guest
Wow ! Most people in NZ probably didn't even know who Stoinis was before today! What a knock. Congrats to The Kiwis for (just) holding there nerve and winning but Stoinis was the standout performer. Does show how average the Aussie top order is without Smith and Warner however. As for Hazelwood that was pretty average however I think Starc has a bit of explaining to do as well. With Stoinis going so we'll all he has to do was stay in yet he threw it away. Dumb cricket from the Aussie tailenders in general. Surely that's the last we see of Mitch Marsh. Stoinis is a far better batsman and bowled just as well as Marsh. India tour?
mmacter
Guest
@ashand,you are right mate.mitch Marsh only scores runs when the team is 2 for 220 after Smith or Warner scores a hundred.Never seen him score a good innings under pressure
JoM
Guest
Hazlewood also could have got those runs. How many did they refuse to take in the end? If Hazlewood was a total bunny with the bat then fair enough but he is a little more capable than that.
Peter wolf
Guest
With India just around the corner after the NZ tour I guess we keep the same side with Marcus's whirlwind batting performance it wouldn't change a thing.
Bfc
Guest
The inexperienced bloke stayed calm...the 'old head' lost...his head! What a brain fade...Stoinis had three overs to get 7 runs.. What a knock by Stoinis!
Bfc
Guest
Congrats to the "Blackcaps"...Oz almost pinched the win. What a game from Stoinis, he has gone some way to securing the "all-rounder" spot. Got to say I am finding our side almost unrecognizable...surely if CA accepts the Tour/money, they should send over a side that more resembles our top ODI XI..respect the opposition.
Republican
Guest
Again, when will Australian batsmen man up and do the job they are apparently selected for, rather than leaving it to our bowlers to do both?
jamesb
Guest
Geez, Australia nearly plucked out a win out of nowhere.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Stoinis has done more than Mitch Marsh has ever done for 3 years... No more Marshs please....
Jim Walsh
Guest
I vaguely remember cricket referred to as `the thinking man`s game'. Certainly on todays effort Hazelwood is more suited to Rugby. Perhaps he `thought' Williamson was standing there in case he got lonely? Or he `forgot' that the hero of the game Stoinis had declined to take singles for the last several overs! Such is life and its only a game but what a heartbreak for the centurion.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Haha cheers Vincent! I don't think anybody would have predicted this match though!