Australia start New Zealand tour with T20
The first of the two T20Is between New Zealand and Australia will be played at Wellington on Friday.
Australia goes into this tour on a high after having remained unbeaten at home across all formats this summer. Despite the fact that these wins came against relatively weaker oppositions, the visitors will start the tour as favourites.
New Zealand will have to get an early win if they are to pose a challenge against the Aussies and put them under pressure. Ross Taylor will be key to New Zealand’s success in the couple of games in the shortest format, while the hosts will expect Brendon McCullum to come good with the bat as well. McCullum has been surprisingly off-colour in the last few months and he will like to change that before embarking upon that trip to India for the IPL. The Kiwis are a well balanced unit and look very competitive on paper. Peter Ingram has gotten off to a good start in his career as an opener but his ability will be tested by the fierce and experienced Australian attack. Shane Bond will return to action after missing the series against Bangladesh.
The Aussies should field the same side which dominated the West Indies in the two T20Is last week. Shane Watson will partner David Warner at the top. Warner has been in top form, as reflected in his two innings against the Windies and the Kiwi bowlers will be working overtime to come up with ways to get him out early. The middle order has been in top form too. Michael Clarke and Cameron White have been excellent over the last couple of months while David Hussey and Brad Haddin will look to make an impact as well. Their bowling has been top quality with Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, giving them excellent starts.
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