Struggling Aussies look for ODI redemption against Black Caps

In the 50-over format, the feisty Blacks Caps have a knack of troubling their highly talented opponents and thus, in the mid-2000s, the Chappell-Hadlee series was setup to be an annual affair between the Trans-Tasman rivals.

The Kiwis last played ODI cricket on their tour of India in October. And of Australia being in disarray after two heavy test defeats to South Africa and mass selection changes, he said: “They’ve been very good for a number of years and are now ranked No 1 in the world”.

Australia: Selectors have a dilemma whether to play all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who was fined after his controversial comments over being demoted in Victoria’s batting order. However, Usman Khawaja has been dropped from the side following poor South Africa tour, but his current form remains precious for Australia keeping in mind the three Tests against Pakistan which follow this series.

The 30-year-old made an extraordinary start to his Test career in the past fortnight, taking nine wickets at an average of 12 to go with 98 runs at 33 in the two-Test series against Pakistan. However, the responsibility to score runs will heavily be on David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith and George Bailey.

Not that Australia’s ODI side is without change.

“There’s enough talent there to certainly put up a good show”, he signed off.

Cummins has struggled with chronic back problems since bursting onto the global scene at 18 against South Africa in 2011, and hasn’t played worldwide cricket for 15 months.

On form New Zealand should be the favourites but Australia have long held a psychological edge over their fellow antipodeans.

“With Adam Milne missing, Lockie gives us that point of difference in the attack”.

“There is some real gas to Lockie Ferguson”.

Mike Hesson, New Zealand’s coach, admits the tourists have their own problems.

Like the Australian pace attack, the 25-year-old has been hindered by persistent injury problems throughout his career and is yet to make his first global appearance in any form.

New Zealand are a unsafe side with some quality players led by their captain Kane Williamson. However, Pakistan’s vulnerability on green-tops was very well exploited by the Kiwis in the historic 2-0 defeat.

Pat Cummins speaks to the media during a press conference at Sydney Cricket Ground.

The timing of the one-dayers, which includes matches in Canberra on December 6 and ends in Melbourne on December 9, has been questioned by some Australian pundits, with it falling between test series against the Proteas and Pakistan.

For New Zealand the inconsistency of their top order in India would have been of great concern.

“Just from looking at it from the grade perspective where global players never play and state players play very little, I think that’s one of the problems with Australian cricket”.

Pakistan flopped miserably against the Black Caps as they lost both the Tests by big margins.

“To replace those [players] is a challenge…”

On a video on the Cricket Australia website, Cummins said it was great to be back in the side.

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.