Image Credit- NZC
powerful In the series opener at Sky Stadium, New
Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bat against an
almost fully-fit Australia, setting the stage for Josh Clarkson to make his
T20I debut.
All-rounder Matthew Short was chosen and listed to bat at number seven for
Australia, leaving Steven Smith out of the team.
With speedster Lockie Ferguson recovering from injury after missing Auckland’s
Super Smash final, Clarkson is ranked No. 6 for New Zealand.
Since defeating Pakistan 4-1 at home last month, New
Zealand has been playing well in this format. In lieu of Kane Williamson, who
is expecting his third child, Santner is captaining the team this series.
Quick Matt Henry is also out for New Zealand due to injury, and all-rounder
Daryl Mitchell is recuperating from a foot ailment.
Following their absence from Australia’s recent 2-1 T20I series triumph over
the West Indies, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Travis Head are back.
Australia will deploy their full-strength frontline
attack with Josh Hazlewood and legspinner Adam Zampa in the lineup. Starc and
Cummins have been rested since Australia’s home Test campaign concluded late
last month.
Due to his paternity leave, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will not be playing in
this game; Josh Inglis will be taking the gloves instead. Head will open with
David Warner as usual, and Inglis will bat at No. 5.
The three-match series serves as both teams’ last practice before the T20 World
Cup, which will take place in the United States and the Caribbean in just over
three months. Both sides are trying to finalise their rosters for the
competition.
The trans-Tasman rivals will be fighting for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, which
had previously only been awarded to the winner of bilateral ODI series between
the teams.