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Australia and New Zealand clash at the magnificent SCG in a rematch of the lastWorld Cup Final to kick off the Super 12s of the T20 World Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00pm (AEDT).
New Zealand will come into the contest knowing full well that they won’t be able to put forth their first-choice XI as Daryl Mitchell has not fully recovered from his fractured finger. Who they select as Mitchell’s replacement is likely to be a game day decision based on the conditions in Sydney.
New Zealand aare also coming into the World Cup on the back of a recently concluded tri-series with Bangladesh and Pakistan, and is trying to keep a fine balance between players’ workloads and making sure of their match conditioning.
Including the warm-up game against South Africa – their game against India was washed out – the New Zealand squad has played four matches in seven days, with travel and training in between the games.
Australia are also coming off the back of a recently concluded T20 series, theirs having been a three-game series against England. Australia lost the series 2-0, with the third game being washed out.
The reigning champions are entering their title defence with multiple question marks surrounding the team. Most of the speculation is centered upon the form of Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc.
Finch’s poor run of form continued through the series against England, Maxwell was promoted to opening the batting in the last game to try to get him some more time in the middle to find his form but only managed 8 from nine deliveries, and Starc didn’t play the first game and was relegated from his usual spot opening the bowling for the second game before returning to his opening duties for the final match.
Meanwhile, Tim David has become a part of the first-choice XI for the Australians since the last World Cup, replacing Steve Smith, and adding another finisher to the likes of Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis who served them so well in the UAE.
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However, we are all on weather watch ahead of this anticipated match as La Niña’s return to Australian shores threatens to play a significant part throughout the World Cup and be especially damaging to the initial fixtures of the Super 12s stage.
Sydney is expecting a very high chance of showers throughout the afternoon and evening and some chance of a thunderstorm too, as per the Bureau of Meteorology.
Prediction
Game information
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground First ball: 6pm (AEDT) TV: Fox Cricket, Channel Nine Live stream: Kayo Sports, 9Now Odds: Australia $1.45; New Zealand $2.80 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
New Zealand
Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lachlan Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen
