New Zealand eye under-strength Australia

@BLACKCAPSBESTINTHEWORLD. If this were a WC match. perhaps questions may be asked, but it's a game where we are both trying to develop players for the next WC. I'm not putting too much into the results nor did I back home in that home series. If we both bring on players with that view in mind, then it will be a success.

CONHAVESHORTMEMORIES Now let's talk cricket, 5 world cups, world record consecutive test wins, best cricketer and team ever x 2, best odi team ever, how many has your mob got? Lol, poms, love to over rate yourself and you talk short memories hahaha

A completely new look aussie side with Wade out!! Gives guys like Stoinis, who has limited international experience and Heazlett a chance to ease into this champion ODI side against inferior opposition. No pressure on this unit today as the kiwis are being talked up as morals. We expect our superior skills and winning team culture to triumph on the day though!!!

Bad news, NZ. any advantage to be had from Warner and Smith's absence was neutralised by the announcement that Matthew Wade would not be playing either. Massive plus for Australia there.

If NZ play the way they did against Bd, they are in for a hiding even without Smith and Warner. Kane himself has been quite average of late and will need to step up big time/ However, the ODI format is so loaded in the batsmen's favour that they will still need some hitting from at least 2 of the 3 main in their ranks (Guptill, Taylor and Corey). All the best to both teams. Note to Aus fans, pls refrain from z-string theories if Aus fail here. Can't use it every time you lose.

1) Guppy 2) Tom Latham (wk i guess) 3) Kane 4) Roscoe 5) Broom 6) Munro 7) Neesh 8) Santner 9) Southee/Matt Henry (if Henrys bowling 135+, Id easily pick him over Tim) 10) Lockie Ferguson 11) Trent Boult. Kane and Neesh splitting a couple overs between them. This side looks reasonably strong. Maybe a shift here and there in the batting order and were set for the champions trophy. I will be extremely furious if things are going bad for our strike bowlers and Kane refuses to roll his arm over.

There doesn't seem to be many here actually interested in commenting on the game of cricket at hand, rather just bashing the other country. I am looking forward to a closely fought series as the Chappell Hadlee always seems to be when hosted in NZ.

@BEHIND_THE_BOWLERS_ARM

I'm yet to see a kiwi crowd come close to bay 13's behavior.

You have to remember that Cricket is not that big a deal in NZ, certainly not to the same extent it is in Australia. Cricket gets about 1/10th the coverage of Rugby Union. And Rugby is the game that the majority NZ public is emotionally invested in heavily.

When the Australian Cricket team loses, the Australian public gets annoyed. When the Black Caps lose, the NZ public goes "yeah... that's the black caps for you"

Same hold true for basketball, league and soccer. All of which have NZ teams in the Australian league. Sod all people follow them and no one really expects to win.

So yeah, while you might score some points on the more one-eyed kiwi fans on here. The majority of Kiwi's expect NZ to lose when we play Australia in cricket, and are happy when we don't. You have to win to meet expectations. So psychologically, we are far better off.

Try to enjoy the game, even if the Aussies lose.

Aussie lineup seems to be wrong...I bet Head will open with Finch. Marsh may be relegated to No 3 or 4. Who cares...!!!

@THELUCKYCOUNTRY , Totally Agree. It's a well known fact that we are the best at nearly everything. You left out surfing, fishing and BBQing. Can't see any team getting within 50 of the World Champs for a least the next decade. I'm glad the ICC didn't allow us to take Warner, ect..

@CRICK_JUNKY Have what both ways?

Good news NZ. We have located the bails from McCullum's World Cup final innings (under a seat 15 rows back in the stand at the MCG) and will be bringing them over in a nice display case as a thank you gift for the warm sporting welcome Australian teams always get in NZ. Cant wait, bro.

BLACKCAPSBESTINTHEWORLD - mate you cant have it both ways

Cant see it Aussiensw - Aussie test team is poor at the moment, you got a bad beating off SA in your own backyard and beating a tired and ageing Pakistan should not delude you that your team has turned any kind of corner. England wont fail to grasp the opportunity to roll over this poor Australian outfit.

No surprise that the kiwis and poms are siding up. No surprise whatsoever. Its dark, gloomy and cold in the old dart most of the year leaving such a cultured bunch of blokes so very little to do but take personal shots at us champion aussies and rake in garbage completely unrelated to the cricket. We'll stay on topic, stick to our great beaches and put up with the hordes of poms that seem to be arriving here for the lifestyle improvement. We aussies fully understand what the term brexit truly means now and can appreciate the hurry to leave. There will be one bunch of English gentlemen however who will be in a hurry to get back to the old dart after the 5th test in Sydney come January.

Camberwellcarrot...you have got to be kidding! Australians are the greatest team in the world and dominate sport across all codes. We are born superior. We are bred to win. Australians don't know how to lose and that's why we have such successful sports teams, we have such innovative business people, in demand entertainers and the toughest soldiers in the world. You only have any sporting success due to foreign born sportsmen, rigging pitches, using chemicals in cycling or employing Aussie coaches. We have more integrity and just don't need to stoop to Pommy methods to be the greatest country and the most illustrious sporting nation on Earth. That is a fact.

THETRUEORACLE - In about 1979 my father said forget about cricket as a sport, "India are going to overrun every other country in years to come. There are just too many of them." I said when that day happens I will pick another sport. I'm still waiting.

Considering we rolled the Aussies over for some pretty cheap totals last time around when they came, we should have no problem beating this team without Smith/Warner/Khawaja. And if we do lose, then questions will need to be asked about the future of this team and where we're headed.

@MIN70 Kane should have no problem rolling his arm over. No room for the mediocrity that is Colin de Grandhomme

conshaveshortmemories...you fail to mention the Davis Cup triumph v zero Aussie talent, the 3-0 thrashing handed out to the Union team, the plethora of boxing champs we have (12) v Australia (0), recent F1 champs, our football team is garbage but it is still ranked above Aus Eng = 13 and Aus = 44), 5 out of the last Ashes series including the last one and I haven't even mentioned the Olympics. Australian sporting decline is well documented but their ego cannot cope with this fact. They need to sneer as it is the only thing their country have in their locker. It's hardly a cultural mecca is it? Great beaches but terrible people.

NZ should win this series in a canter and will be worried if they can't beat a team without Warner & Smith. Missing Khawaja is a plus for Aussies in ODI matches with his carthorse running in the outfield and poor catching. I'd have Maxwell open with Finch and Marsh at 3 if he gets a game. We are one batsman short in this team. All in all this a total waste of time leading up to the India series and players should have been playing a 4 day game in Mumbai instead...

Really find both these teams boring

ANNOYEDOFIT..here is list of Heavyweight EVERY BRITISH WORLD CHAMPION ________________________________________________________ English Bob Fitzsimmons Frank Bruno Lennox Lewis WBC WBA IBF WBC The Ring David Haye Herbie Hide Henry Akinwande David Haye Irish Paddy Ryan Tom Sharkey add to that One football world Cup... now how many have your mob got.

Thetruetroll : That year (2016) was probably the worst year for Aust in the history of game. It may again happen after 150 odd years - so don't make stuff up & cook fantasy. Still Aus have the best ODI records than any teams in away. Go figure. Doesn't matter if they still lose this meaningless small series. Come June they'll lift the Icc CT for 3rd time at the UK.

here's a good opportunity for Mathew wade,Shaun marsh

Thetruetroll : That year (2016) was probably the worst year for Aust in the history of game. It may again happen after 150 odd years - so don't make stuff up & cook fantasy. Still Aus have the best ODI records than any teams in away. Go figure. Doesn't matter if they still lose this meaningless small series. Come June they'll lift the Icc CT for 3rd time at the UK.

@TAUNTONTOMMY, yea it takes pure skill and an ability to win. Quite obvious as to why England have never won anything that matters

Though Aussies don't have Warner and Smith, they still look the stronger team on paper. Finch, S. Marsh are coming off good BBL, while Head just made a ODI hundred against Pak. Faulkner is the weakest link in their team. NZ lost some fire power down the order losing Ronchi, still this is their best team at the moment. In home conditions, they always find some extra energy to play beyond their skills alone. Expecting an entertaining series.

Stay tuned folks, this could be the start of the overseas whitewashes for the ozzies, just like last Year. Best wish to New Zealand.

@Glennoz

You are right to point out Australian dominance in one day cricket. It is a format that suits Australia as it is highly formulaic and doesn't require the speed of thought of T20 or the guile and patience of Test cricket.

Mighty Australia will thrash this bog average trundlers out of the park. They'll look cluless agsinst Starc & Hazlweood. Aus to win 3-0 without Smith & Dave. Another whitewash awaits for the kiwis .

What shame they could not fit in any games of real cricket

Result will be 3-0 whitewash in favour of Black caps. Aus are toothless without Smith and Warner.

Good luck to the black caps with the population of just over two million and to produce the results they do is outstanding.

NZ to win this series 3-0. Even with an awesome bowling line-up, the Aussies without Smith and Warner is like NZ without Williamson and Taylor - toothless.

Watch them get rolled over.

@CRICFAN25434597, you forget Australia has only lost an ODI series TWICE in the last THREE years, including wins in England, SL etc? Classic Indian or whatever it is ignorance. You lot could only dream of such dominance

@CRICFAN25434597 I don't see another ODI series against NZ being a big deal unfortunately. The clash with preparation for Test series is a big factor. This series should be re-scheduled. If not then send who ever is available, but also rest Starc and Hazlewood. Then the team would look like the second string team we sent to SA that lost so clearly. The WC champions have nothing to prove when their full strength team is on the park.

Finch and Marsh may be replacements but if they are the opening pair I'm not sure they are any worse than Latham and Guppie. I think they need to go with Finch and Head though, Travis will benefit from a bit of continuity. I'm keen to see Finch back, actually. His record in this format is by no means poor, if he can rediscover his best than he is a match winner, he looked good at the back end of the BBL and I'm backing him. With Marsh I think it's a matter of getting some cricket into him, there's nothing happening in Aus over the next few days and he needs all the time in the middle he can get before they fly to Dubai. I don't think NZ start favorites at all here, this is not like the SA tour where our whole attack was replaced with rookies, we have a strength of depth to call upon with our ODI batting so there can be no excuses, especially with our bowling at full strength.

Performed really we over a period of time? Wade dont forget 0-5 thrashing against SAF few months ago?? These Aussies forget very quickly when they win few games against cheap teams. Lets see them get flogged vs NZ

Camberwell - What a bad sport. I bet I know where your from haha . But glass house always make me dizzy. Btw we don't care a jot

TAUNTONTOMMY - Clueless aren't ya? Aus have won Eng in Eng 3-2, won Pak in UAE 3-0, won Sl in Sl 4-1, won the tri series in Wi ( Sa, Aus , Wi). We've been the most successful ODI side in world cricket and are used to long periods of domination. One such period is about to begin I expect! Anyway keep up the blinkered post - always up for a laugh lol

Different thread...same sneering Australians! Guys...it is just embarrassing. You know why people dislike about red necks from the deep south of America? That's how you come across. Same outlook. Same view of yourselves. Same worldliness. By the way, America is a great country and I've enjoyed my many visits there!

Can someone please keep occupying AUSSIENSW with "banal banter" so the rest of us can comment on the match tomorrow Thanks.

So its peak summer, the India tests are three and a half weeks away and what... you just can't take any more cricket until then? Its poor scheduling? Wow, what a bunch of spoiled babies some Aussie fans are! Here in Aotearoa we tend to take whatever cricket we can get (and be grateful for it). This Chappell Hadlee thing was rushed, not denying it, but its happening, so might as well make the most of it eh? Or not… having a whinge about scheduling and claiming you're not interested (even though you're here posting about it) might work better for you. Good luck whichever way you choose :)

Aussie batsmen are the best in the world - as long as the ball is not spinning, seaming or swinging - if the ball doing any of these things they are utterly clueless.

SAMROY, Australia beat SL 6-1 in SL on the driest, spinningest short format pitches imaginable. They then lost on flat wickets in SA. In fact, they have won 80% of their short format games in Asia in the last five years, played against all four SC teams. How does that fit your spin? This current game is an ODI, after all.

@ Samroy: Much like Sri Lanka proved to be inept against spin, seam and swing in South Africa assume. Not that I hold any malice.

Good stuff!! Some great spirited banter at last!! No mention of a SC team for a few posts now! That's choice bros. I'm sure you guys have some great memories of the very occasional conquest and battles against oz in the past? My favorite and most enduring memory of them all is always going to be ball three of the 2015 world cup final at the mighty G!!! Starc obliterating the off peg of the wildly swinging McCullum .The vanquished batsman with a look on his face that was priceless. That epitomizes everything about Aus v NZ cricket. The sighs and groans of a handful of humble black cap fans across the ditch drowned out by the cheer of 24 million champion Aussies!!! Still sends a shiver up my spine every time I replay it!!.... We'll always triumph in the truly big moments. Bring it on!!!

I have set the alarm clock for the start of the India tests.

Very smart move with Latham taking the WK, 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Colin Munro, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent Boult. Would go Ferguson 12 man in the first game.

A big rich country of cricket board money and players doesnt has any channel to show cricket from nz in india live because of time difference as matches start early in india and no add company wants to invest so how can sports channels show matches from nz . They can show live from w indies which also has major time difference but can not show it live from nz . A big shame for us indians as we can not see cricket live from the most beautiful country . Who is afraid of waking early only God can tell . Pls publish cricinfo its a humble reauest .

@AUSSIENSW, wow, nice comeback. Our spirits will be broken? You think? You have a flair for the over-dramatic don't you? My parting advice - go easy on that Shandy.

We had a second string bowling attack last NZ ODI series. In the tests normal service was resumed.

Smith, Warner , Kawaja missing , were they not involved in recent test series losses to SA

Matches are telecast in India??? If so tell me which channel..

@Inferno Firstly the question of being jealous does not arise. Of course I would like bowlers of McGrath and Warne's quality in my team and an all-rounder of Sobers' quality but my mere wishing doesn't help. Every cricketer has his positive and negative qualities. Currently Australian Test Team's negative quality IMO is that apart from Smith and Warner rest of the batsmen are technically weak vs spin, seam and swing. I have no jealousy and no hatred towards any team.

@Mikepat Just I wanna say that everyone Is concerned for whether holland (who is cluless against B grade team like srilanka even in raging turner picthes),Fawad alam( he is aged player),zampa(plz see his 1st class cricket), Then so called Faulkner( he is not good form in both bat and bowl),now for peter nevil (a solid keeper but clueless against spinners.Guys even recent bbl he missed couple chances) and so on.... But I wanna knw that what's the problem with George bailey?? He is far better player against the spinners than Our captain smith....Trust me after the odi series I am completely sure that Khawaja will b again clueless against the spinners... I wonder How CA selected him for such a difficult tour.!! He is far behind than White..bailey..Cricinfo publish it

The way starc had been going since his injury, i wouldn't be surprised if he breaks down during the India tour. And if not Will he play IPL as well? Then chances r he won't make it through the champions trophy. Did Australia really need him 2 beat Pakistan at home? And do they need him in this pop up series vs NZ more than they will need him in the sub continent when their slow bowlers (not quite spinners) start getting pummeled by Kohli pujara and company after Ashwin n co bundle out their batsmen ?

In the last 9 matches between the sides, NZ has won 5 matches. The only place Aussie has dominated NZ is in Australia

NZ will smash the Aussies at Eden Park which is usually the case

@antony_lucas- agree with you that Starc being present makes a big difference to the last series in NZ. Given Australia's depth and record against NZ in the past, and our current form being a little sketchy there's no reason why they shouldn't be disappointed if they don't come out on top in this series

Nz won last series at home 2-1, smith

@aussiensw if you're "super star" batsman would tear apart our medium pacers on our small grounds then why haven't they yet? the last 2 matches on our smallest ground bowled out for less then 150. they ripped them apart on your home flat tracks but let's wait and see what happens tomorrow

@goodareasshane pretty sure we won the Chapple hadlee series last year in new Zealand with a full strength aussie line up why didn't they thrash us then?

@GOODAREASSHANE: AUS lost less than a year ago in NZ at last attempt with Warner and Smith, so your argument they would thrash NZ every time doesn't quite stack up. But this time with Starc, the series is Australias' to lose

@Samroy, I can understand you being jealous since your country doesn't have someone as explosive as Maxwell. :)

Best wishes for Kiwis. Kangaroos will face a clean sweep for sure...

The batting order Should be Finch Head Marsh Handscomb Maxwell Wade Faulkner Stoinis/Zampa (depends on pitch

At full strength, we would thrash NZ every time. Without Smith and Warner, this will be a fair bit more challenging. Still have the stronger bowling attack though.

@MIKEPAT That's the best 11 for aussi..

1)Finch 2)Mathw Wade 3)Shaun Marsh 4)Handscomb 5)Head 6)Maxwell 7)Stoinis 8)Faulkner 9)Starc 10)Cummins 11)Hazelwood...Plz no zampa.he is a good leggi but this is a tiny ground....And I wanna expose wade's batting...that's why I want to keep him as opener...then we all see that how many runs he can score....!!! without warner and smithy this is the best team selection... cricinfo publish it...

NZ will deservingly start favourites, but hopefully we give it a good run. The Chappell-Hadlee is a nice idea, but I'm not a fan of these one-format series, the packed international calendar makes it nigh on impossible for sides to select their best every time. I'd prefer full tours comprising each format: imagine a biannual home/away cycle of T20-ODI-tests, that would be a fitting contest between the ANZACS worthy of the eponymous trophy.

@MIKEPAT That's the best 11 for aussi..

1)Finch 2)Mathw Wade 3)Shaun Marsh 4)Handscomb 5)Head 6)Maxwell 7)Stoinis 8)Faulkner 9)Starc 10)Cummins 11)Hazelwood...Plz no zampa.he is a good leggi but this is a tiny ground....And I wanna expose wade's batting...that's why I want to keep him as opener...then we all see that how many runs he can score....!!! without warner and smithy this is the best team selection... cricinfo publish it...

@Min70. The only thing broken champ will be the spirits of the NZ fans. When they are beaten by a way understrength world champion it will set back their limited overs game big time. The substantial price that they already are for the CT will lengthen further when they get hammered as expected. By the way, don't let this stuff get too personal guys. It shows a real lack of character when you cast aspersions (@Kulaya, you can look that word up in the dictionary that I don't have) on individuals that you don't know. You need NZ to man up on the field and show some of that backbone that is clearly missing. If your lads only had more mongrel and flicked this humble gentlemen charade you'd have more cricket related ammo to fire thus negating the need to think up the nasty or personal stuff. Aussies are resilient and thick skinned by nature and so rarely do you see the other champion oz posters resort to getting too personal. Its all about supporting your side and encouraging banter!!!

MIKEPATT you obviously have no idea do you. What happened last time you toured here for a ODI series? 2-1 NZ. Last two games at Eden Park you have been bowled out for around 150 both times. I'll be there to see you get beaten tomorrow and then come back here to see your excuses. How about your choke against us at the t20 World Cup? And FYI most New Zealanders do not want to be at all associated with Australia let alone impress you.

Maxwell to Warner's level?? You got to be kidding. That will never happen. Maxwell is Australian version of Afridi. So, Maxwell will always be inconsistent. Better batsman than Afridi, much worse bowler than Afridi and much better fielder than Afridi but when it comes to batting both carry the same mentality , "Can't help myself from hitting big shots".

Ugh not Finch, he averages 7 against NZ. Play Heazlett or someone who knows how to hold a bat

Australia can not win for sure as they don't have the big guns warner and smith but still anything can happen. NZ is well balanced and its their home ground its hard for Australia to do anything without warner smith

Would be nice if this turns into a battle of the left arm quicks series, Boult v Starc. Also like to se Guppy take to the Aussies again and a close game, but why does it have to be a day game? Do people prefer them?

Yeah with Mccullum, Guptill scored a 230 odd, got in the finals of WC, etc. NZ played confidently, Southee and Boult ripped apart sides. Now its all rather meek. Would be unfair to blame it on KW. Apart from WT20 other series have been very underwhelming. The main problem is BOWLING. Boult got his pace back but rarely swings it anymore. Southee also lost his swing. Guptills been OK, Latham is the real deal,Taylors coming back. KW lost a but of his mojo but he also seems to be coming back. Munro is inconsistent, Neesham improved his bowling, needs more consistency. Santner needs to bat higher. Henry lost pace I think. Downwards trend, just need a few more youngsters and I think NZ will be fine. Wicket keeping is a problem and with Latham opening its not gonna work long term. Glen Phillips is the answer.

Australia will win convincingly as we always do against NZ. They run their mouths off and neutrals support them but everyone knows we are vastly superior in all departments. They choked recently and will choke against us lot. Too easy!! NZ are like our younger brother - always keen to impress us, want to be us but always in our shadow. Australia whitewash for me!!!

Should be a good series. Although the batting is obviously weakened without Smith and Warner, Australia still have a very strong and well-balanced bowling lineup. I predict a lively surface at Eden Park. Could be tricky batting first.

Welll some of the big guns not playing, does take some of the lustre away....but trust NZ to go big whenever they play Aus, esp on their shores -also last chance for Aus to audition before they hit our shores.....think matches will be evenly contested....another good chance to see the exciting new ANZAC quicks - Fergusson and Stanlake, am a neutral indian supporter but series should be exciting...hope to see real hard fought odi's....not a bat dominated slugfest...

Good call on Latham taking the gloves so we can strengthen the middle/lower order, the Aussies have more firepower than us in their bowling ranks so we'll likely need the extra batsmen as we found out without Taylor on the last leg of the Haddlee/Chappell though Neesham performed better than I expected. Taylor,Broom,Munro,Neesham is better than what we could put together in December.

@Cricfan16271721. You are correct my friend we haven't won a single CT. We've actually won two of them............

Infernoo2 a fair assessment of the post McCullum era. Basically the same players but Martin Guptil aside there seems to be a drastic decline in self belief & fight. There does seem to be for the time being at least 'tiers' appearing in the cricketing pecking in order & NZ in truth sits mid-pack. I keep hoping for a spark from someone but at the moment it has been an underwhelming Captaincy. Injuries aside. I have also called for Mike Hesson to be replaced. I could think of 100 ppl with better credentials than him. Ppl have been screaming for a new bowling coach also. Shane Bond anyone?

Will be interesting to see if Handscomb does any good. Reckon he might struggle against the swing of Southee/Boult

@ BLAHBLAH1234567: Yes, I see what you mean. Still, it's no reason to accuse him of a crime he didn't commit. He's also played some match winning knocks for us so it's not all one way. I recall a brilliant hundred from him in the WC semi final that took us from perilous to plundering in short order. I guess I just don't understand why you need to tear down Maxwell to build up Wade. It seems so unnecessary.

DUNGER.BOB --I wasn't specific to that game. But if the team was in a sticky situation, I would prefer Wade rather than Maxwell. Maxwell is hyped, you hear all these excuses about his talent but he does little to show it. He can put more effort and actually work harder to become the best like Warner and Kohli have but instead he spends a lot of time complaining about his opportunities. He is talented all right but that shouldn't let him overcome people who actually perform and work hard. Wade might not have the talent like a Maxwell, but you can see the guy works hard and he has improved both his batting and wicketkeeping. Hard work is very very underrated these days, but it is the main component that separates the good from the champions.

The obvious problem I see with the NZ side named here is that even with Latham as keeper we only have 4 solid bowling options. Neesham, KW and Munro will have to bowl 10 between them. My guess is that Broom or Munro might miss out for de Grandhomme. Just a hunch.

@Bishop Go easy mate, I think you'll find that AussieNSW probably doesn't even own a dictionary in order to look up big words like "phlegmatic". To him it probably just describes how your nose operates during a case of the common cold. And even if he did own a dictionary, he would be searching for the word assuming it started with "F" :)

@Lovemybharath, when your number one best player - who in the limited-overs game is unquestionably D. Warner, is not playing, and your second best player - S. Smith - i s also not playing, then this is what is called an under-strength side. It is exactly as if India played an ODI series without V. Kohli and M. S. Dhoni - then it would definitely be described as a weakened and understrength team. It doesn't mean that there aren't very good players to take their place. @Therealmvp they did just play for the same trophy in Australia quite recently, and then just as now there were widespread grumbles about the scheduling inconvenience of those matches. It makes you wonder if it's all worth it, at times.

NZ have been very disappointing after the retirement of McCullum, especially in the 50 over format. As much as I'd like to see Williamson as a great captain, I just don't think he has it in him. McCullum made almost this same side look like world beaters in the last two years prior to his retirement. They just look mediocre under KW. Their middle order is very, very fragile and they don't have wicket taking options once the swing is gone. I was expecting a good performance from them in the Chappel Hadlee series but they disappointed big time. Hope they put on some good performances at home.

Australia have won a ct in India itself.

@BLAHBLAH1234567 Scott Kuggeleijn's problems have not be sorted, and he will not make the team unless that is resolved in his favour. And that isn't happening any time soon. It's a matter for the courts, so no point speculating about it.

Bishop, you can't reason with AussieNSW -- he is the watered down version of TheLuckyCountry. He's MikePatt's dorky little brother (who's only allowed a Shandy). Something is badly broken there.

Matt Henry was at his best in the last home ODI series vs AUS, he must play. 5th bowling option Neesham/de grandhomme is the clear weak link which AUS will pounce on.

1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Colin Munro, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult. Love this squad talk about firepower!

@aussiensw. Australia haven't won a CT....?

@AussieNSW - why the hostility son? I think you'll find most kiwi supporters would agree this series is a little pointless, as was the last one. I would much rather have had three test matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh, especially given that the Saffas are coming, and that is the series where we will test our mettle. In terms of the chest thumping, I've always thought we Kiwis were generally rather realistic about our chances, and fairly phlegmatic about our results, win or lose.

@ BLAHBLAH1234567: I thought Maxwell made an important 60 in that game. In fact, wasn't he the only batsman from either side, apart from Wade, to get past 30.

Does this mean that Australia is always overdeoendent on warner? Why the title weakened team comes here?

Didnt these two just play each other very recently for the same trophy?

australia hve big chance to win this series .bcoz starc is back,hazelwood back....i think zampa should not play .bcoz of should rt boundaries....and my playing 11...finch,head,marsh,handscomb ,maxwell ,wade,faulkner,starc,hazelwood ,stanlake ,cummins

@AUSSIENSW If it doesn't mean anything then why bother commenting, that's a little petty imo. I can tell you that while these 3 ODI's are of some interest after a Bangladesh whitewash they are not the highlight of our season and are also a scheduling nuisance coming at the end of 2 test matches and before the South Africans arrive for their tour of NZ which is considered to be the highlight of the home summer here. Its all relative even for us.

Weakened side or not, the Kiwis are and have always been a tough unit to crack at home. Although not into meaningless ODI series, they should be treated with the view of getting players primed for the next WC. Will S.Marsh be there for it?

NZ bowling is average unfortunately after watching the Bangladesh series, they really need a solid bowler. Scott Kujjelijin should've been selected(if his problems have been sorted out) and ish sodhi (AUS aren't the best players of spin). Santner needs to bat higher he isn't a slogger, genuine batsman. For AUS, whatever people might say about Wade he is a better player than maxwell. He scored 100 under pressure against PAK, whereas Maxwell would score a nice 20 of 15 balls and get out. He would be given the excuse because of his TALENT for slogging. Heck they even call him an all-rounder, I'll bet anyone that KW is a better all-rounder than Maxwell.

NZ are always eyeing off a chance to match it with us. Doesn't happen often though as we usually find a way to triumph in the big moments when a tournament actually means something. Like a world cup or CT. This is an inconvenience to us but we'll rest our stars anyway. It'll be the usual, kiwis talking up their chances and if they fluke a win there'll be the standard chest thumping and tickertape parades, awards handed out etc where as when we win it will hardly rate 3 pages into the sports section of the daily rag! Pity for the kiwi fans that they don't get to see real batting superstars (apart from Maxy) tearing their medium pacers apart on ridiculously small grounds. We wish the black caps luck in their hunt for an ego boost but regardless of the end result it was poor scheduling and means very little to Australia.

So Shaun Marsh walks back into the side for the 10th time or so in 6 years after doing nothing. In the tests I'd take him to the subcontinent considering his hundred in SL but really ODI's should be building for the future and turning to a 32 year old guy who couldn't establish himself after so long is rubbish. They could've tried anyone else like Jimmy Peirson who did a good job in the Matador Cup and is also a keeping option or Ben Dunk who while on the older side has done well in all three formats as of late.