For the second straight year the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be decided in Hamilton.
The no-result in Napier means the BLACKCAPS must beat Australia on Sunday to win back the coveted Trans-Tasman trophy …. here’s six things to consider for the decider.
The home of history
“What a way to finish!” Ian Smith roared over the SKY commentary as a Henry Nicholls direct hit sealed victory for the BLACKCAPS in last year’s winner-take-all third rubber against the Aussies at Seddon Park. Mitchell Santner rates the successful chase of 346 against Australia in 2007 in Hamilton as his favourite cricketing memory. The ground is built for big finishes where our boys come out on top!
Super Sodhi
The talismanic leg spinner is back in the squad and BLACKCAPS fans will be hoping he can bring the X-Factor that saw him claim 6-11 in the Aussie Big Bash a fortnight ago. The 24-year-old also played a masterful hand in last year’s Chappell-Hadlee victory at Seddon when he claimed the scalps of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the same over to swing the momentum.
The roll
The BLACKCAPS are 21 from 23 in ODIs at home and have beaten Australia in five of their last six encounters on Kiwi soil. Home ground advantage is huge and here’s hoping a Hamilton sell out can extend the BLACKCAPS perfect start to the home summer.
Aussie pacemen
Australia’s fast bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are world class. The visitors will be hoping they can be the difference in the decider after mixed returns in game one where they conceded 174 runs between them. Beware of this space.
The ND crew
Williamson, Boult, Southee and Santner are the four pronged spine of the BLACKCAPS line-up and should all play pivotal roles in the decider. The new ball pairing will be looking to knock the top of the Aussies again, while Santner’s spin should suit the Seddon Park pitch. And that bloke Williamson - well he doesn’t often miss out in back to back games.
Guptill fit?
Coach Mike Hesson’s rating the BLACKCAPS master blaster a 50-50 chance to play in the decider and boy would his inclusion be a boost. Guptill’s scored 434 runs against Australia in his last seven innings at an average of 62 and is the key to getting off to a flyer with the bat.
