In the ongoing Australia’s tour of New Zealand, the home team won the first T20I with ease. Batting first, New Zealand put up a great total of 184/5. Australia were bundled out for just 131, giving the Black Caps a solid 53 run victory. The New Zealand international season resumed with Kane Williamson’s guys starting their road to the T20I World Cup 2021 with a home series against Australia. The Kiwis have fielded a formidable squad with the likes of Trent Boult, and Kyle Jamieson set to feature. The batting lineup will also hold the spotlight, with Glenn Phillips and Tim Seifert looking to build on their recent exploits for the Blackcaps.
The Kangaroos on the other hand are fielding a squad full of inexperienced players. However, what Aaron Finch’s men lack in experience, they make up for that in talent, with Jhye Richardson and Josh Philippe expected to play a huge part in this series. A lot of pacers are also looking to cement their position in the lineup and there’s a lot at stake within the squad. Given the home conditions and a generally superior squad, the New Zealand team is definitely the favourite to win the series. However, the Australian squad can’t be taken for granted and should be taken seriously, even after their disappointing performance in the first match. The second match of the series will be held at the University Oval in Dunedin and the Aussies will look to bounce back.
Available Players
Australia
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
New Zealand
Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
Expected Playing 11
Australia
Aaron Finch (C), Matt Wade (WK), Josh Philippe, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Daniel Sams/Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson
New Zealand
Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (WK), Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi
Match Details
Match: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd T20I
Date: 25th February 2021, at 06:30 AM IST
Venue: University Oval, Dunedin
Pitch Report
Forming part of Logan Park, a multi-sport complex, University Oval became New Zealand’s seventh Test venue when it hosted the Black Caps’ clash with Bangladesh in January 2008.
Built on reclaimed land that formally constituted an inlet of the Otago Harbour, the ground is a mixture of expansive grass banks, a historical grandstand and a modern media complex.
While the ground is small and would hardly be considered for international status in other countries, it does at least have a proper turf wicket rather than the ‘drop-ins’ that frequent many of New Zealand’s bigger stadiums.
Its grandstand is also among the quainter you’re likely to see, and hilly forests make for pleasant surrounds – and affords the seam bowlers plenty of assistance.
The pitch is usually green and is great for fast bowlers in the beginning. It becomes good for batting as the match progresses. This definitely makes it a pitch to field first on. However, if the pace battery isn’t formidable, there won’t be many advantages.
Fantasy Suggestion
Tim Seifert, Josh Philippe, Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Maxwell, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Jhye Richardson and Adam Zampa
Captain: Aaron Finch, Vice-Captain: Kane Williamson