Match: New Zealand v Australia, 1st ODI
Date: 30 January, Monday
Time: 6am SGT/3:30am IST/10pm GMT (Sunday)
Competition: Chappell-Hadlee ODI series 2017
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
TV Channel: In Singapore, there is no live TV coverage.
Live streaming: Foxtel Go, Sky Go
Overview
New Zealand and Australia are meeting for the second time in two months following last year's second Chappell-Hadlee One Day International series, which the latter won at home 3-0.
However, the visiting Australian team suffered a major blow when they lost skipper Steve Smith due to an ankle injury he suffered during their recent ODi series win against Pakistan. In his absence, Victorian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade will lead the side, which will also be without world number one ODI batsman David Warner, who has been rested ahead of the Test series in India.
The onus will now fall comeback men Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh especially after the two batsmen lit up the recently-concluded Big Bash League season. Travis Head also is in good touch after scoring a century at the top of the order in the last ODI against Pakistan.
All-rounders Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner will also be crucial in this weakened batting unit. However, Australia's bowling is at its full strength with the presence of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa.
On the other hand, with the likes of in-form Tom Latham, skipper Williamson and experienced Ross Taylor and Neil Broom, New Zealand batting unit looks strong. The presence big-hitting Colin Munro and James Neesham will make it a dangerous outfit in small home grounds. New Zealand also have a fully-charged pace battery, which has Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry.
While both sides look balanced on paper, a lot will depend on how Wade's Australia copes up with the absence of Warner and Smith, who have been prolific run-scorers for the team in the recent past. Williamson and his men will eye the opportunity and make use of slender advantage to regain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy from their Trans-Tasman rivals.
TV Schedule
Australia: Fox Sports 2
New Zealand: SKY Sport 1
MIddle East: OSN Sports 4
UAE: OSN Sports
US: Willow TV
UK: Sky Sports
Team News
New Zealand
Possible XI: Williamson (c), Guptill, Latham, Taylor, Broom, Munro, Neesham, Santner, Southee, Henry, Boult
Australia
Possible XI: Wade (c & wk), Finch, Head, Marsh, Handscomb, Maxwell, Faulkner, Starc, Hazlewood, Zampa, Cummins
