1st ODI - Australia vs New Zealand @ SCG (Dec 4)

[Bomberboyokay]

2.20pm AEDT

In 2004, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy was struck. In 2010, it was struck off. Not officially, of course, but the idea of an annual one-day series between Australia and New Zealand was quietly forgotten. It was as if these neighbours, until then welcoming each other with open arms, had fallen out over some petty matter like a tree hanging over the back fence. When they crossed paths at someone else's place, they would nod politely - as when the trophy was put up for grabs in their match at the 2011 World Cup in India - but neither would invite the other into their home. But at the World Cup last year, they kissed and made up, decided that actually that tree had plenty of tasty fruit, and why couldn't they just share it, after all.

As a result, having gone nearly six years without a standalone Chappell-Hadlee series, we now have three in the space of 12 months. In February, New Zealand won at home. The teams now meet in Australia, and next February, they again play in New Zealand. It is curious scheduling for both sides. New Zealand rushed to Australia the day after winning a home Test series against Pakistan, but at least they can stay in white-ball mode for a while: their next commitments are home ODIs and T20s against Bangladesh. Australia have switched almost as quickly from Test mode, but unlike New Zealand, they must hastily change back into a Test mindset as soon as these three games are over, as they host Pakistan for three Tests.

In the meantime, we can sit back and enjoy what should be a fine one-day series. If the World Cup final last year was a bit of an anticlimax, the pool game in Auckland showed how thrilling contests between these two teams can be. It was a low-scoring affair, dominated by the pace and swing of Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult - both of whom will be playing in this series - and it went down to the last wicket. Both teams have had significant personnel changes since that World Cup, though: from that match alone, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Grant Elliott, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson have all retired.

New Zealand enter this series missing some important players: Ross Taylor is recovering from eye surgery, while Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan and Corey Anderson are all out injured. But they could unleash the pace of Lockie Ferguson, who at his best can hit 150kph, and still have some fine names throughout their batting and bowling groups. Australia come in at full strength, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc back after resting from the tour of South Africa, and Steven Smith's men will be keen to put the focus back on the cricket after the Glenn Maxwell-Matthew Wade controversy in the lead-up.

[...]

Australia have stressed that they will pick their strongest XI while this series is alive, and will refrain from resting fast bowlers as they did on the tour of South Africa. That should mean an attack based around Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. The main question is the balance of the middle order and allrounders, with Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner potentially vying for just two positions. The uncapped Hilton Cartwright, named in the 14-man squad, has been released to play in the Sheffield Shield.

Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 George Bailey, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Travis Head/Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Josh Hazlewood.

New Zealand have plenty of bowling options to choose from, with the uncapped Ferguson having a chance of playing.

New Zealand (possible) 1 Tom Latham, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Colin Munro, 6 James Neesham, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson/Colin de Grandhomme, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2016-17/content/story/1070205.html

 

[Cleavy]

Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 George Bailey, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Travis Head/Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Josh Hazlewood.

I need some of whatever Bryce Coverdale is on. Marsh at 5, and no Faulkner?! What a terrible stab at an XI.

EDIT: he was right with the selection. shows what I know, but remains to be seen if it's the right selection.

 

[Torz]

Apparently Faulkner and Maxwell aren't warming up.

It's a joke it Marsh gets a game ahead of them.

 

[DylanR]

If Marsh gets a game ahead of Faulkner, that'll be a complete joke

 

[pjcrows]

Bumper crowd of about 400.

 

[74561347]

hes not even the best person named mitch in the side

 

[DroopStDanny]

Another ODI series between Aus & NZ and Channel leads with the underarm delivery. Who woulda thunk it?

 

[G Mus]

Mitch Marsh > back of the hand slower balls

 

[Bomberboyokay]

It's Plugger35's time to shine.

 

[Torz]

Glenn Maxwell left out of the side, there's a surprise.

Strikes me as a bit petty from the selectors. He's been fined. Move on ffs.

 

[Gray Day]

No Maxwell and no Faulkner. Joke.

 

[eddiesmith]

I need some of whatever Bryce Coverdale is on. Marsh at 5, and no Faulkner?! What a terrible stab at an XI.

Yet totally accurate...

 

[pjcrows]

Marsh playing is questionable. But Marsh batting FIVE is ridiculous.

 

[outabounds]

Batting looks very thin.

 

[Gray Day]

Strikes me as a bit petty from the selectors. He's been fined. Move on ffs.

Nope, you have to be mates with Lehmann and Smith to get picked.

 

[outabounds]

Smithy been in a good paddock

 

[G Mus]

He's in pretty bad form atm but Mitchell Marsh is a fine one day batsman

 

[Cainozz]

If Marsh gets a game ahead of Faulkner, that'll be a complete joke

To be fair, M.Marsh is a much better ODI batsman - has an average of 40 and his death bowling has improved a lot

 

[Gray Day]

Bumper crowd of about 400.

Don't blame them for staying away, CA are treating the public with contempt by picking an understrength XI yet again.

 

[Wolfs]

Latham, Guptill, Williamson (c), Neesham, Munro, de Grandhomme, Watling, Santner, Henry, Ferguson, Boult for NZ
Warner, Finch, Smith (c), Bailey, M Marsh, Head, Wade (wk), Cummins, Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood for AUS

So basically no Faulkner or Maxy which is weird (Faulkner more so) but w/e

 

[Millky95]

Happy with the top 4 but no Maxwell at the SCG as the allrounder? Poor call

Don't know much about Head to comment

 

[ROOTA#6]

Ordinary looking line up to me. Maxwell being left out is predictable but a mistake in my opinion

 

[outabounds]

Sydney Mafia excited about another NSW inclusion

 

[Cainozz]

Interesting about Maxwell. Looks like a statement from the captain. Just hope it doesn't affect any relationships in the dressing room. Really don't want disharmony amongst this squad

 

[G Mus]

Starc ending McCullum's career is definitely one of my favourite sporting moments