New Zealand vs Australia 2021, 5th T20I: Match Preview And Prediction

The hosts New Zealand and the visitors Australia are getting ready for the final game of the five-match T20I series which will be played at Sky Stadium (Wellington) on Sunday (7th March) afternoon.

Currently, this series is in level position by 2-2 as the last game is going to be the series decider. While New Zealand won the first two games by 53 runs and 4 runs respectively, Australia won the next two matches by 64 runs and 50 runs respectively.

New Zealand vs Australia 2021, 5th T20I: Match Preview

New Zealand

Despite winning the first two games of this home series, in-form New Zealand couldn’t maintain that advantage as they lost the next two matches. They have poorly failed to chase in the Wellington T20Is.

In-form Devon Conway started this series with 99 not out while then he scored 2, 38 and 17 runs as he has scored 156 runs in this series. Another in-form batsman, captain Kane Williamson scored a half-century in the second game (53) but failed to score good runs in the other three matches of this series. Opener Martin Guptill has also played two good knocks of 97 and 43 runs.

All-rounder James Neesham disappointed in the last two matches but he is currently in good touch as he is very consistent in his all-rounder role.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is the leading wicket-taker in this T20I series by picking up 10 wickets in 4 matches. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has got 6 wickets in three matches while the left-arm pacer Trent Boult has taken 5 wickets in four matches.

Full Squad

Kane Williamson (C), Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

Recent T20I form (oldest to latest): Lost, Won, Won, Lost and Lost

Australia

The visitors Australia started this T20I series horrifically as they lost both the first two matches. But they won the next two games and they have now the equal chance of the hosts to win this T20I series.

Captain Aaron Finch is finally back in form and he is now the leading run-scorer in this T20I series as he has scored 161 runs in four innings. After starting this series with 1 and 12 runs knocks, Finch scored two match-winning knocks of 69 and 79 not out. Glenn Maxwell, who took two wickets in their last T20I, scored the firing 70 runs in the third match of this series. In-form Josh Philippe scored 45 and 43 runs in the second and third games of this series respectively.

Mitchell Marsh (45 runs in the 1st game), Marcus Stoinis (78 off 37 balls in the 2nd match) and Daniel Sams (41 off 15 balls in the 2nd match) also played one good innings each in this T20I series where Australia suffered defeats due to no getting proper support from their other batsmen.

Playing four matches of this T20I series, spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa have got 8 and 4 wickets respectively, pacer Kane Richardson has taken 7 wickets.

Full Squad

Aaron Finch (C), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Recent T20I form (oldest to latest): Won, Lost, Lost, Won and Won

New Zealand vs Australia 2021, 5th T20I: Match Prediction

Both teams are now in the level position in this series so both teams have equal chances to win this T20I series. While the hosts New Zealand have majorly played good cricket at home in this season, Australia have got enough confidence after winning the last two matches in this tour.

While there is no more big favourite to win this T20I series, the fans can expect an exciting T20I series decider.