2018 Trans-Tasman Tri-Series Final Australia v New Zealand @ Eden Park 5pm AEDT

[Bomberboyokay]

Trans-Tasman rivals brace for final reckoning

England's coach Trevor Bayliss may be of the opinion that there's no place for T20 internationals in a crowded calendar, but try telling that to the combatants in Wednesday's final of the inaugural T20 tri-series in Auckland. Or indeed to the Eden Park crowd, who were treated last Friday to an astonishingly run-laden exhibition from the same two teams. Short boundaries, big hits, finely crafted specialist teams. Not to mention the prospect of NZD50,000 bounties if anyone clings on to a one-handed stunner in the stands. What's not to like?

It's all a far cry from the permed hair and Frank Zappa moustaches that greeted Australia and New Zealand's maiden T20 encounter at Auckland 13 years ago. Like the format as a whole, the world's first T20 international may have been treated as a gimmick by its participants, but the game has got rather more serious in recent times.

Australia, rightly, go into the final as favourites, but in the course of a dominant group stage, they have settled upon an astonishingly power-packed line-up. A key priority going into the tournament was to rest the likes of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and other bankers of the 50-over and Test teams, but with this year's Big Bash cementing several specialist reputations, the men at Australia's disposal could hardly be more perfectly crafted to their roles.

After a subdued Ashes and a struggle in the opening games, David Warner rediscovered his joie de vivre at Auckland with 59 from 24 balls, where D'Arcy Short's free-spirited walloping alongside him no doubt reminded him of his own T20 origins. Glenn Maxwell's Big Show has been in full flow throughout the tournament, not least in his one-man obliteration of England at Hobart, and with Andrew Tye's illegible slower balls and Billy Stanlake's cloud-snagging seamers leading the line with the ball, their opponents have often found no place to hide.

That said, New Zealand are fully capable of some fireworks of their own. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill will probably still be wondering how they failed to set their side up for victory at Auckland last week, after plundering 132 runs in a 10.3-over opening stand, with Guptill going on to complete a national-record 49-ball hundred.

Even so, they come into the match with a record of four defeats in their last five T20Is, after being pipped to the post by a subdued England in their final group game on Sunday. It mattered not in the bigger picture - England had already been edged out of qualification on net run rate by the time Tom Curran closed out the final over. But it sums up the challenge, even on a favoured home ground, of stopping the Australian juggernaut.

[...]

No changes anticipated to the New Zealand side that lost by two runs in their final group game against England. Mitchell Santner, who missed the last Auckland run-fest, will be back in the reckoning ahead of the hapless Ben Wheeler, who was spanked for 64 runs in 3.1 overs against Australia.

New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Colin de Grandhomme, 7 Tim Seifert (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult

A settled and explosive line-up. It says something for Australia's current depth that a player of the pedigree of Aaron Finch has had to find a niche at No.5 since his return from injury. It also says something that he has pounded 56 not out from 19 balls across his two innings to date.

Australia (probable) 1 David Warner (capt), 2 D'Arcy Short, 3 Chris Lynn, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Aaron Finch, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Andrew Tye, 10 Kane Richardson, 11 Billy Stanlake

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10886/preview/1072322/

 

[Woody15]

I agree with Bayliss - T20 internationals don't have the attraction like IPL/BBL competitions. This current tournament (and obviously the ODI series just played) seems pointless. T20Is only played in a WC year and just prior would help ease the workload and issues with scheduling. We would also see more of the International players in the Big Bash. The less meaningful cricket played the better - this summer has dragged on a bit.

Would like to see us bat first and put a huge total on the board. If Munro and Guptil fail to fire, it could be a bit of a fizzer as NZ's depth appears questionable..

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Bayliss is diverting attention from his failure.

 

[Woody15]

I dont think he gives a toss. As coach of all 3 formats, he has been down here since the start of the Ashes. That is a lot of cricket. Offered to stand down as T20 coach before retiring at the end of his contract next year as well. Regardless of England not making the final, he raises a good point. He mentions England are halfway through playing 21 months of cricket out of 23.

 

[sherb]

I couldn't care less about this series, to the extent that I couldn't even tell you when the final is/was on.

20/20 slogging does nothing for me, I admit, but at least I knew when the BBL final was happening.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I dont think he gives a toss. As coach of all 3 formats, he has been down here since the start of the Ashes. That is a lot of cricket. Offered to stand down as T20 coach before retiring at the end of his contract next year as well. Regardless of England not making the final, he raises a good point. He mentions England are halfway through playing 21 months of cricket out of 23.

Perhaps if Bayliss doesn't like T20 he should step down from coaching that particular team...

 

[Bomberboyokay]

I dont think he gives a toss. As coach of all 3 formats, he has been down here since the start of the Ashes. That is a lot of cricket. Offered to stand down as T20 coach before retiring at the end of his contract next year as well. Regardless of England not making the final, he raises a good point. He mentions England are halfway through playing 21 months of cricket out of 23.

He wouldn't have said anything if England were playing for a trophy tonight.

 

[Woody15]

Perhaps if Bayliss doesn't like T20 he should step down from coaching that particular team...

He has offered to. Obviously says something about his passion for coaching T20 as well as ODI and Tests. All before his contract expires. Nominated a successor as well. Perhaps leaving it up to the ECB to handle.

Probably going to happen.

 

[Woody15]

He wouldn't have said anything if England were playing for a trophy tonight.

Yes, the much sought after Trans-Tasman T20 trophy...

He is basically repeating what Darren Lehmann said late last year about the overloading schedules.

 

[Mitchell54]

I love T20I.

I love Tests even more.

Don't see the fascination in ODI though

 

[Belnakor]

Warner's work in the press has highlighted why i don't want that bloke to ever captain Australia on a long term basis.

 

[imperial_oz]

I love T20I.

I love Tests even more.

Don't see the fascination in ODI though

Yeah I'm a bit along the same lines. T20 is fun but I don't see it as anything more than entertainment.It adds the hits and giggles as some people call it but it's hard to take it a serious cricket.

For that, we have test matches and for me that is the important part of the game.

ODIs dont really provide much of either

 

[new breed]

Any radio broadcast , Grandstand maybe ?

Foxtel or bust I suppose !!

 

[Lensen]

T20Is are great fun and much more enjoyable cricket than test matches on the boring roads we typically see here

 

[gordo2016]

Any radio broadcast , Grandstand maybe ?

Foxtel or bust I suppose !!

No radio mate.

 

[corbies]

The standard of cricket in this tournament has been so far above the big bash that I question whether you are actually watching the big bash for the cricket if you enjoy that more.

 

[Moonwatcher]

NZ win the toss and bat. Happy to see Australia chasing and not having to set a total.

 

[gordo2016]

Be interesting to see if Munro can continue his good form. He could be even more valuable if he tries opening his eyes when he plays a shot.

 

[skipper kelly]

Any radio broadcast , Grandstand maybe ?

Foxtel or bust I suppose !!

https://www.iheart.com/live/Radio-Sport-6194/

 

[Kram]

The standard of cricket in this tournament has been so far above the big bash that I question whether you are actually watching the big bash for the cricket if you enjoy that more.

I think people prefer the BBL because the games actually have context in that the trophy is genuinely sought after.

 

[Kram]

Can this gambling spruiking s**t **** off.

 

[KBLT]

 

[Moonwatcher]

"Thought it would be caught inside the circle, but it kept going" :/

 

[Kram]

That would have been comfortably caught in 99% of the proper cricket grounds elsewhere in the world.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Looks like NZ will target 200+ again.