Australia maintained their top spot in the ICC ODI rankings after thrashing India 4-1 at home. The Aussies will now face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, starting on Wednesday.
New Zealand have been in terriffic form at home, as they defeated Sri Lanka and Pakistan in back-to-back series. Be it T20s, Tests or ODIs, the Kiwis have been a formidable force at home.
Australia will face a stern test ahead of their limited-overs tour of South Africa later this month.
Both sides have not faced each other in the 50-over format since the ICC World Cup 2015 final. New Zealand will look to avenge their drubbing in the final when they lock horns with Steve Smith & co.
Both Australia and New Zealand are coming into this series riding on the back of series wins, but conditions will be different for the Aussies. The wickets are not going to be as flat as it is in Australia. The swing could also be a key factor.
Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Kane Richardson, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh will form form the Australian seam attack in this ODI series against the Black Caps. Faulkner believes conditions will play a crucial role in deciding the result of the series.
"A lot of it just comes down to conditions. If it's swinging around, which we think it would over there, the ball will be moving like it did throughout the World Cup. It's obviously a lot tougher and early wickets tend to fall," Faulkner told reporters ahead of the ODI series in New Zealand.
"I just think it's going to be a great series all around. I think obviously after both teams playing in the World Cup final and what New Zealand achieved, I'm expecting a really tough series."
"I think you're going to see a really good brand of cricket with bat and ball, and a really good fierce competition."
Squads: New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (C), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham*, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson.
Australia: Steve smith (C), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mathew Wade, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.
Complete schedule for New Zealand vs Australia ODI series:
New Zealand vs Australia 1st ODI:
Date: 3 February, Wednesday.
Venue: Eden Park Stadium, Auckland.
Time: 2 pm local time, 6.30 am IST, 1 am GMT.
New Zealand vs Australia 2nd ODI:
Date: 6 February, Saturday.
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Time: 2 pm local time, 6.30 am IST, 1 am GMT.
New Zealand vs Australia 3rd ODI:
Date: 8 February, Monday.
Venue: Seddon Park Stadium, Hamilton.
Time: 2 pm local time, 6.30 am IST, 1 am GMT.
