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New Zealand may need to call in their part-time bowlers as they look to strike back after two heavy losses
Big picture
There will be bigger T20 games for these two teams later in the year, but a decisive contest for this series is a good opportunity for them to hone their skills in tournament-style play. Australia have played unmissable wins in the last two matches, picking up impressive wins, and it looks like if they have regained their confidence they have moved away from New Zealand.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead was reasonably brutal after Friday’s loss saying he believed his team had taken a step back with the bat. There is limited leeway for changes with the 13-man squad for this series, so it looks like the same top order is returning, but there is pressure on Tim Seifert in what has been a disappointing series for him.
The spin can be expected to play another big role and Australia have deeper options available with the trio of Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell doing a remarkable job yesterday. Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi were also impressive, but Kane Wiliamson may have to use himself this time around.
Immediately after the match, the Australian team will travel to Wellington Airport and board their charter flight to Sydney. Players from states with open borders with New Zealand (except Auckland) will not need to be quarantined, but those from countries where current regulations are likely to be isolated depending on whether they are go straight home.
This is the last confirmed international men’s cricket team that the Australian men’s team has had on the program for some time (barring an unlikely return from England in the final test against India) although it could have a mid-year white ball tour of the Caribbean before the final. preparation for the T20 World Cup. For New Zealand, their home season will end later this month with the ODI and T20I playoffs against Bangladesh.
Form Guide
(last five games completed)
New Zealand DOUBLE
Australia WWLLW
In the spotlight
The more delicate the surface, the more a player likes Kane williamson can become important. A captain’s innings could be what New Zealand need to overcome their batting struggles of the last two matches and Williamson’s skills could follow the pattern set by Aaron Finch in hitting an inning depending on the time of day. which it arrives in the fold. He could also have an important role to play with the ball – he hasn’t bowled in a T20I since February 2018 but almost got into the last game and another spin option might be better suited than the pace of Kyle Jamieson.
While spinners are likely to take center stage, Kane richardsonT20I’s cutters also proved to be very effective in Game 4 as he collected 3 for 19. He was often a part of Australia’s T20I squad but before his home season was disrupted by the withdrawal from the Indian series. due to biosecurity restrictions. bubble to stay with his family, he had played 12 consecutive games. He can be confident of a place ahead of the T20 World Cup even when other players return.
Team news
After confirming that they will not be drafting another rotation option in the squad, there is a limit to what New Zealand can do. Jamieson has had a tough streak and they might, at some point, consider replacing him with Mark Chapman and catching up with part-time employees, but that’s a risky option.
New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tim Seifert, 3 Kane Williamson (captain), 4 Devon Conway, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult
D’Arcy Short, Ben McDermott, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff and Tanveer Sangha saw no play time on the tour (Ashton Turner has already been home for the birth of her child) but a winning combination could have the chance to seal the series. The wrist rotation of Short’s left arm might enter into the equation as much as his stick, while the sangha, the uncapped leg, would be an exciting and courageous option.
Australia (probable) 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Matthew Wade (wk), 3 Josh Philippe, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Jhye Richardson, 9 Kane Richardson, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Riley Meredith
Steps and conditions
While the pitch was expected to change, both teams were taken aback by the way he played on Friday. It will not have been used before the decider now that the men’s and women’s matches have been swapped, so conditions are likely to be very similar. One concern is that the forecast for the morning in Wellington is not bright with the risk of downpours.
Statistics and anecdotes
- Australia’s 11 spin overs played in Game 4 were their second most in a T20I
- Kyle Jamieson conceded 175 in the series. The record is 187 held by Tim Southee although there is a limited number of five-game series remaining.
Quote
“[Australia] very well adjusted, we were probably a bit slow. But we do know how the surface will play and it will probably be very similar. The rotation and the knives were quite efficient. “
Mitchell santner
“We were under the pump and it’s a nice feeling now that we’re back in this series.”
Adam zampa
Andrew McGlashan is associate editor of ESPNcricinfo
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