AUS vs NZ Match Preview- 1st T20I, 2024

Australia and New Zealand face off in the AUS vs NZ three-match T20I series followed by a two-match Test series as they continue their preparations for the T20 World Cup. The test series though will be a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-35 campaign.

Date and Venue

The AUS vs NZ first T20I will be played in Wellington on February 21. The match starts at 11.40 am IST which is 7.10 pm local time. Auckland hosts the next two T20Is on February 23 and 25. In 10 T20I games in New Zealand, the Kiwis have won four while the Aussies six

Team Analysis- AUS vs NZ Match Preview- 1st T20I, 2024

New Zealand

New Zealand will be led by Mitchell Santner. Trent Boult has returned to the New Zealand T20I series for this series. He did not play the Test series against South Africa. The Kiwis previously played a T20I series against Pakitan that they won.

Boult will play the final two games with Tim Southee to be rested. The squad is without the likes of Daryl Mitchell (foot injury), Michael Bracewell (finger injury), and Jimmy Neesham (playing in BPL 2024).

They have added an uncapped all-rounder in Josh Clarkson who has the reputation of being a big-hitter. Ahead of the T20 World Cup, this will be a nice Test for the Kiwis at home. It is an opportunity for the players selected to make an impression and stay in contention for T20 World Cup selection.

New Zealand Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (games 2 & 3), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (game 1)

Australia

Australia have a few injury concerns heading into this series. They will be without the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Harie in this series. Both are ruled out with injury concerns. The Aussies will be led by Mitchell Marsh. He will have plenty of leadership experience to fall back on with Pat Cummins returning to the squad for the series.

Also back is Mitchell Starc who was rested from the West Indies T20I series. Glenn Maxwell, Azam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Ellis make up the bowling attack. Cricket Australia has named Spencer Johnson as the replacement for Stoinis.

Australia Squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

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Key Battles

David Warner vs Tim Southee

This matchup will be an enticing contest between the two senior players. Warner had had the wood over Southee in T20I cricket. He has scored 67 from the 33 balls he faced against the Kiwi pacer. Southee has managed to dismiss him just once. The Kiwi pacer will play only the first T20I and should eye his wicket.

Glenn Maxwell vs Mitchell Santner

Another key battle is expected to be between Maxwell and Santner. The Australian all-rounder seems to be in the form of his life. He recently scored his fifth T20I century that came in the series against West Indies. The Kiwi left-arm spinner has just dismissed Maxwell once in T20Is.

Key Players

In the absence of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway becomes the key player with the bat for the Kiwis. The likes of Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, and Glenn Phillips will need to bat around him. With the ball, Southee and Santner hold the key.

For Australia, David Warner’s batting at the top always holds the key. Glenn Maxwell with the kind of form he is in becomes a key player in the middle-order. Azam Zampa is gunning down 100 T20I wickets and Starc with his pace and swing is always a lethal option with the ball.

Weather and Pitch

As per reports, there are drop-in pitches used in Wellington since there is a lot of rain at the venue. There is a forecast of rain during the day for the AUS vs NZ first T20I.

The weather is expected to clear out by the time the match starts in the evening. However, the rain might mean a delayed start in case of a wet outfield. The pitch as said earlier becomes a batting-friendly one in T20Is with scores over 200 posted and chased down regularly.

Conclusion

The AUS vs NZ T20I series is expected to be exciting. New Zealand who have just won five out of the 16 T20Is against the Aussies have a chance to add to that tally by pushing the Aussies for a potential clean sweep. The Aussies are in form after beating West Indies 2-1 in their previous T20I series.

Also Read: Australia, New Zealand to play T20I series too for Chappell-Hadlee Trophy