Australia v New Zealand ultimate guide: What the ODI series really means for Aussies
DECEMBER 3, 201610:10AM
Staff Writers
FOX SPORTS
THERE is a sense that the trans-Tasman series means more to New Zealand than Australia, but that does not diminish the importance of the upcoming three one-day international matches.
Nor would the Aussies concede that, especially given their recent 5-0 limited overs drubbing in South Africa. This is a chance to restore some pride in pyjamas for Australia.
In South Africa Steve Smith’s men became the first Australian outfit to ever lose a series 5-0 and they will be looking to avoid making more unwanted history against New Zealand.
If Smith’s side loses the first match on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, they will become only the second Australian outfit to ever lose six ODIs in a row, and the first since 1996.
For Smith things would be even worse as he would be the first Australian captain to ever lose six ODIs in a row. The 1996 streak was shared between Ian Healy (one match) and Mark Taylor.
If the Australians lose the first two matches of this series it will be the first time Australia has ever lost seven ODIs in a row.
Unlike the Australians, the Kiwis will be looking to make history.
Not since the summer of 1982-83 has New Zealand defeated Australia in a bilateral one-day series on Australian shores, although even that was just a one-game Bushfire Appeal Challenge Match in which the Aussies were bowled out for 124 in pursuit of the Kiwis’ 8-138. In fact, the Black Caps have never won a bilateral series in Australia that featured more than one match.
During the 2015 World Cup Australia and New Zealand struck a deal that would see six Chappell-Hadlee one-day series played between 2016 and 2020. This upcoming round of matches will be the second series, following the Blackcaps’ 2-1 win in February.
The two teams will meet again in New Zealand early next year.
Here’s everything you need to know in our Ultimate Guide!
HISTORY
Before you say it, no, the one-day cricket history between New Zealand and Australia is about more than the underarm delivery.
The Chappell-Hadlee series has been an official item on the cricketing calendar since 2004 — albeit with a lull between the 2011 World Cup and the 2015 World Cup.
Although the group game that the Kiwis won during that World Cup was considered a Chappell-Hadlee match, the final that the Aussies won was not.
ONES TO WATCH
Glenn Maxwell: The all-rounder missed out on selection for the South African tour that Australia lost 5-0 and has been in the news more recently for comments he made about Victorian and Australian teammate Matthew Wade’s captaincy.
But regardless of what he says, ‘The Big Show’ remains a destructive on-field force. He is one of six all-rounders in Australia’s line-up and on pure talent he is a certain starter, but there are other factors at play here.
Colin de Grandhomme: The bowling all-rounder snagged six wickets on Test debut last month and has become quite the cult figure in Kiwi cricket circles.
At 30, he’s played plenty of cricket but just one one-day international, against South Africa back in 2012. In the right conditions, he could prove a handful for the Aussies.
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Boof ends infighting talk
THE SCHEDULE
First ODI: Sunday, December 4, SCG, 2.20pm AEDT
Second ODI: Tuesday, December 6, Manuka Oval, 2.20pm AEDT
Third ODI: Tuesday, December 9, MCG, 2.20pm AEDT
HOW DO I WATCH IT?
All games will be broadcast live by Channel Nine.
THE SQUADS
The Australians are as near to full strength as possible given injuries to key fast bowlers, while New Zealand has arrived without Ross Taylor, who is recovering from eye surgery.
Indeed they are lacking experience in general, with Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills having all retired since the 2015 World Cup Final.
Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), George Bailey, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, BJ Watling.
