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Since January 2013, the BLACKCAPS have recorded their highest individual ODI score, highest individual Test score, highest Test innings’ score, two world record Test partnerships, a world record ODI partnership, best ODI bowling, best figures on Test debut, best figures on ODI debut, the list goes on, and it has kept the New Zealand Cricket Museum very busy with statchat. But here’s one thing that hasn’t happened in that time: a completed game against Australia. Here’s a Statchat preview ahead of Australia’s first visit to these shores since 2010.

As our nearest neighbour, it’s no surprise that the BLACKCAPS have met Australia in more ODIs than any other nation. Unfortunately, the record doesn’t make for pretty reading: they are, statistically, the hardest team for us to beat. Thankfully, we are at our best against them in our own backyard, where we’re at 50% - and you can bump that up to 60% over the last 10 ODIs played here.

A lot has been made of Brendon McCullum’s lack of form at the toss but, statistically, the BLACKCAPS are at their best when they see the wrong side of the coin. In those matches they have a higher winning percentage at World Cups, at home, against Australia and, generally, in all ODIs. But there’s no need to pack it in if Brendon actually wins one; in the famous 2007 Chappell-Hadlee series we won the toss three times for three, incredible, victories.

With the bat, the BLACKCAPS have recorded 12 ODI centuries against Australia. Two of the most memorable came in World Cup contests: Chris Harris’ rear-guard 130 in 1996 and Martin Crowe’s tournament-lighting 100* in 1992. Our bowlers have had seven 5-wicket bags to celebrate against our neighbours, with current bowling coach, Shane Bond, claiming the top three of them. His 6-23 at the 2003 World Cup in South Africa are our best figures against Australia. The BLACKCAPS’ best bowling in Eden Park ODIs against the canary yellow come from a player whose bowling couldn’t be less like Shane’s: Rod Latham claimed 5-32 in 1993.

There are a few stats to watch out for in this Cricket World Cup fixture too: Ross Taylor is 59 runs off being the 3^rd BLACKCAP to score 5000 ODI runs while Daniel Vettori is on the verge of a number of milestones. Three wickets would see him join Ewen Chatfield with the most ODI wickets against Australia at 51. If he can take four wickets, he’ll move to 300 in all ODIs and 700 in all international matches.