Written by Jason Dewey for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
New Zealand vs Australia | Saturday 6 February | Westpac Stadium | 02:30
Following their unceremonious drubbing at the hands of the Black Caps at Eden Park on Wednesday, Australia will be looking bounce back and keep their Chappell-Hadlee trophy hopes alive.
Can New Zealand secure the coveted trophy or will a severely depleted Australian side keep the three-match series alive?
To Win Match
New Zealand 9/10
Draw 35/1
Australia 9/10
New Zealand
Massive performances from Martin Guptill, Trent Boult and Matt Henry ensured that the Black Caps head into the second match of the Chappell-Hadlee series with a 1-0 lead after a resounding 159-run win.
The Australians won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that Steve Smith would have been pleased with initially after the hosts were restricted to just one run after 14 balls. That joy was short-lived, however, as Brendon McCullum launched, plundering 20 from just four Josh Hazlewood deliveries. It wouldn’t take long for Guptill to get in on the act as he smashed Kane Richardson onto the roof of the Eden Park stadium for six more.
New Zealand accelerated to 79 before McCullum was bowled after trying to crunch a straight James Faulkner delivery through the off side, he was soon followed by Kane Williamson who uncharacteristically fell for a duck after driving a good length delivery straight to Shaun Marsh at short cover.
Guptill would find the partner he needed in the form of Henry Nicholls who was happy to nudge and nurdle on his way to 61 in order to give the strike to his more belligerent partner. Confusion in the middle would eventually lead to Guptill’s dismissal after he was run out by Glenn Maxwell for 90. There would be significant contributions from the middle and lower order, eventually pushing their total to 307-8.
Boult and Henry would tear through the Australian top order, eventually reducing the visitors to 41-6 with Shaun Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh all dismissed cheaply. A bit of rear-guard action from Matthew Wade and James Faulkner ensured that the Australian total would have some semblance of respectability about it, however, once they departed the crease; the Aussie’s crumbled.
Boult and Henry were sublime on the day, however, it was the latter that really impressed. He managed to nip the ball both ways as he accounted for the wickets of Marsh, Smith and Bailey as the Australian top order crumbled.
Looking ahead, I really don’t think that New Zealand will make any changes to their side. They boast one of the most settled One Day International squads in the world and look good value to retain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.
Australia
The beleaguered Australians were dealt a further blow following their defeat on Wednesday with the news the James Faulkner will be unavailable for the remainder of the series with a hamstring strain.
His absence will allow Adam Zampa to come into the side. The young legspinner had a magnificent season for the Melbourne Stars in this season’s KFC Big Bash where he claimed 12 wickets in 10 games at an average of 22.50.
Another change we’re going to see this weekend is Usman Khawaja coming in for Shaun Marsh. Khawaja has been in dazzling form of late dominating just about every opposition team he’s played against across all formats of the game. He will add stability to the Australian top order and will open the batting with David Warner.
I don’t really think that the Aussie top order will capitulate in the same manner that it did at Eden Park this past Wednesday. Warner, Smith and Bailey are all quality players that should come back stronger and more prepared to face the likes of Matt Henry and Trent Boult.
With their significantly weakened bowling attack, the Aussies are going to need their top order to put together a decent total. If Khawaja and Warner can bat through the first 15 overs and lay a decent platform, Smith and Bailey will more than likely capitalise, pushing their score well beyond 300 at a relatively small Westpac Stadium.
Verdict: New Zealand 9/10
Although they shouldn’t roll Australia over in the same manner in which they did on Wednesday, I do think that the Black Caps have more than enough quality in their side to retain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy come Saturday. Back New Zealand to claim the victory at 9/10.
