Australia are eyeing to wrap up yet another T20I series as they take on New Zealand in AUS vs NZ 2nd T20I at Eden Park. The visitors managed to snatch a victory off the final delivery in the 1st T20I. They will hope to replicate the same heroics at Eden Park as well, which is all set to witness a high-scoring thriller.
AUS vs NZ 2nd T20I: Who will prevail in the battle of sixes?
With the maximum temperature set to hover around 23 degree Celsius, the batters will have their job cut out in a ‘small’ Eden Park. Australia will look to put their best players to test, considering this will be their final bilateral series ahead of T20 World Cup 2024.
What’s in it for Australia?
Steve Smith is likely to return to the XI after sitting out of the first game. For workhorses Cummins and Starc, it will be all about getting warmed up before they head to IPL 2024. Warner and Head make a formidable opening pair but will have to let runs and their bats do the talking.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh has been outstanding so far. He stayed unbeaten on 72 in the 1st T20I as Tim David finished the game off in the last ball for the visitors.
New Zealand hope to assert home domination
The Kiwis have a lot of boxes left to tick yet. Devon Conway showed glimpses of why he is the best opener at the moment for the Kiwis. His partner Finn Allen is not someone to discount for either, known for his ability to strike at will.
Southpaw Rachin Ravindra is the emerging star to watch out for. He’s arguably the best-in-the -making all-format player for New Zealand. And he’s proved that with a fifty in the 1st T20I, albeit the hosts losing.
The hosts would want their bowlers to be the standout after a sub-par performance in the 1st T20I. The pace trio of Southee, Milne, Ferguson will look to get going and attempt to put the breaks on Australia’s batters.
Squads
New Zealand Squad: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner(c), Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Will Young, Ben Sears
Australia Squad: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Tim David, Matthew Short, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Wade, Steven Smith
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