New Zealand claimed the win and the series when they hosted Australia on Sunday, the visitors falling 34 runs short.
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Final score
New Zealand 9/281
Australia 257
After a rain and sodden grass kept Australia and New Zealand off the pitch in Napier without a ball being bowled, the series now heads to Hamilton where the hosts will have the chance to reclaim the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. Join The Roar for live scores from 9am AEDT.
Frustrated fans booed vociferously as they heard the announcement over the PA system, that the game had been cancelled at McLean Park.
It was understandable too, considering the ground hadn’t received a drop of rain in the three and a half hours the match had been delayed since 2pm – the initial scheduled start of play.
A wet outfield was to blame, with the umpires deeming the ground too unsafe for the players to take the field. The health and safety of the players should always be the first priority of the ICC and its officials.
But when former New Zealand players – in the role of commentators for the host broadcaster – Simon Doull and Scott Styris were dumbfounded as to why play had not commenced after three hours of postponement, is it not fair to assume that the umpires were a little too cautious?
Luckily for both teams and cricket fans, there is still one more game to be played in this ODI series.
Both teams will have it all to play for on Sunday, with the Chappell-Hadlee trophy on the line in the third match at Seddon Park.
Despite trailing 1-0 in the series Australia can still retain the trophy with a victory by virtue of being the current holders, having claimed it just two months prior with a lop-sided 3-0 win.
However, a loss to the Kiwis would not only mean surrendering the trophy to their trans-Tasman rivals, but also could see Australia dropping their No.1 ODI ranking.
An Australian defeat coupled with a South Africa win against Sri Lanka, would see the Proteas leapfrog into first place and shunt the Aussies back to second.
In team news, star New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has not been able to overcome a minor hamstring strain and will miss this crucial clash.
Former Western Australian Dean Brownlie is likely to make his return to international cricket to replace the injured opener. He last represented New Zealand in 2014 and would’ve played in the previous match had it not been abandoned.
New Zealand have also brought leg-spinner Ish Sodhi into the squad. Sodhi most recently starred for the Adelaide Strikers with figures of 11/6 in the Big Bash. The leggie also experienced success against Australia at Seddon Park last year, picking up the wickets of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.
The visitors may also contemplate playing their own leg spinner in Adam Zampa depending on the nature of the pitch. However, Travis Head’s success with the ball allows Australia the flexibility to stick with the same team which played in a topsy-turvy game at Eden Park
Prediction
For Australia, being led by their fourth choice captain has been less than ideal and injuries have robbed the visitors of potency in regards to their batting. Australia will likely lean on their formidable bowling unit to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.
The loss of Martin Guptill is a big one for the home side, but the key to New Zealand’s success over the last year and in the 2015 World Cup has been their even spread of contributors. Expect New Zealand’s superior depth to prove too much for the Australians.
New Zealand to win the game and the series by a comfortable margin.
Bfc
Guest
We are 'paying the price' for CA's decision to send a below par squad to NZ..selection policy does not appear to have improved since Marsh stepped down a Chairman of Selectors. Maxwell is sort of symptomatic...much hype, little substance. Imagine it will be even harder to win in India?
maverick
Roar Rookie
Hazelwood was playing his natural game,just following boof's coaching mantra.
Oscar Dawson
Roar Rookie
To all you arguing over why we lose in India, the answer is really quite simple...We suck
Mr.Media
Roar Rookie
HAHAHA Australia has lost it's mojo again ... Mr. Tubby and Mr.Crapelli will not be happy but never mind we might do better in the Test Matches although India might crush us again too ...!
Phantom
Roar Rookie
India play well at home but don't perform on the road. I think it will be a 3 -0 win to India with one draw.
Hayley
Guest
Mate, its not like New Zealand weren't missing key players like Taylor when we came to Australia for the Chappell-Hadlee, they didn't hide behind that. No excuses.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
What was his quote again before he left for N Z.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"270 is generous!" Not really. Australia's average 1st innings total was 322 last time in India, and they still got flogged.
Felix
Guest
270 is generous!
Republican
Guest
......how is that?
Republican
Guest
........you are bigger than you like us to believe.
Republican
Guest
.......is always tough to win in India so a whitewash is to be expected. That said, the side they send will be far more experienced than this rather token one that was sent to NZ.
TC123
Guest
The fact remains that Australia travelled to NZ with a team they thought would win the series. NZ were missing a decent player today in Guptill so enough of the excuses.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
My point is its ridiculous to schedule this sort of a series with an important test tour coming. Now I guess the CA must be happy because for them Aus cricket is just a cash cow. They prepare roads when other teams tour here so that tests last 5 days (India tour 2014) which means our batsman get no practice at all on hard pitches.. CA is ruining cricket in Australia..
Melvin Pukely
Guest
Maxwell flops once again. There's heaps of posing but only intermittent output from this bloke.
peter chrisp
Guest
Nudge how do you reckon The Aussies will go in India i honestly would hate to think, it's suggested a 4-0 whitewash, and to be honest it would not surprise me at all
Bobbo7
Guest
To be honest this series will be far better than the Indian Test series. We all know what happens... India creates perfect pitches for its line up, makes 500 plus and bowls Australia out for 270-odd because Australia can't play spin. In the repeat series whenever it is, Australia makes 580 again a pop gun attack outside of India and bowls India out for 395 because the Indian players can't handle the bounce and pace. Both games in this ODI series have been rippers.
davSA
Guest
Ever since I was a child Australia have been my second favourite side after my own team (Proteas) . Today however I was rooting for NZ as an Aussie loss means Proteas go to nr 1 in ICC one day rankings. Thanks Black Caps.
Lara
Guest
If that was the attitude of Boof and the gang then no wonder they lost, the Kiwi's obviously had a different approach . All credit to the Black Caps.
Slane
Guest
It's not a meaningless game when you beat a team that is resting its two best players?