Match Details
- Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
- Date: 13th March 2020
- Time: 9:00 AM IST
- League: New Zealand tour of Australia
Australia Preview
Australia will be looking for a comeback from a disastrous away tour. David Warner will need to find his form while Steve Smith will look to play a big inning. Smith scored one fifty on the South Africa tour and so did Aaron Finch and D Arcy Short. Marcus Labuschagne was the lone warrior in the last ODI of the South Africa series scoring his maiden hundred. He will enter this series with confidence while the top-order looks to play like the good old days.
Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar are other all-rounder options. Marsh has been consistently delivering for Australia in times of need in the middle while Carey will be there to hold the fort when things go south. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will lead the bowling attack for Australia. Along with Josh Hazlewood, Australia have a strong bowling attack capable of dominating the visiting team.
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand have Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham joining the ODI squad for Australia tour. After missing out on the ODI series against India at home, Ferguson is back in the squad and will look to make an impact. In addition, Kyle Jamieson is also in the squad along with regular bowlers Boult and Southee. Jamieson delivered well with the ball against India at home and with the bat as well.
He can be crucial in run-chases towards the death overs while James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme will have to put in efforts as all-rounders in the team. Both may not get full 10 overs to bowl but Williamson may use Grandhomme to find a breakthrough. Grandhomme remains crucial with the bat to build partnerships and resurrect NZ innings after early losses. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson will be the players to watch out for in NZ batting line-up. Tom Blundell and Henry Nicholls are the choices for Martin Guptill’s opening partner for the 1st ODI.
Match Prediction
Australia to win the match
Australia has the home advantage with many of their batsmen comfortable playing in these conditions. It’s a great opportunity for Warner to play a big inning while Labuschagne and Smith in the middle will give the innings a direction. With Marsh and Carey in the lower-order, Australia will aim to finish the innings on a high note. It is the bowling attack that’s formidable and can pose a threat to NZ.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Tom Latham is the most popular choice for wicket-keeper among the fantasy teams. While 20% teams have drafted Alex Carey, an overwhelming 80% of the teams have selected Tom Latham.
- Warner and Smith are assets to the fantasy team while Taylor and Williamson are must-haves from NZ. Marnus Labuschagne is included in the batsmen section on the fantasy site.
- Fantasy players have a choice between Warner and Finch, and to include Labuschagne, consider drafting 1 Australia and 2 NZ bowlers. Cummins holds the key when it comes to wickets while Boult and Jamieson are crucial for NZ. The two are capable of contributing with the bat as well.
- In case of dropping Starc from the fantasy XI, consider adding Ashton Agar as an all-rounder ahead of D Arcy Short. While 49% fantasy teams have selected D Arcy Short, 16% have gone with Ashton Agar.
- If Agar is in the playing XI, he will get to bowl at least for 7 Overs. Short, on the other hand, bowls lower down the order and likely to get less Overs to bowl. Colin de Grandhomme has a big role to play for the visitors. He is essential to the fantasy XI.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Tom Latham
- Batsmen – David Warner/Aaron Finch, Ross Taylor, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson
- All-rounders – Colin de Grandhomme, D Arcy Short/Ashton Agar
- Bowlers – Pat Cummins, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson/Mitchell Starc
- Captain – Steve Smith
- Vice-captain – Ross Taylor