After ambushing the hosts and favorites India on a rank turner, New Zealand lock horns against Australia at Dharamsala today (18th March 2016). While conditions may be slightly different in the picturesque venue, Kane Williamson’s men have the momentum as they come up against their hard-hitting neighbors.
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On the other hand, Australia still have plenty of questions to answer regarding their ability to play with and around spin. However, a batting lineup featuring the likes of David Warner, Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell are capable of brutally dismantling opposition bowlers.
Australia vs New Zealand 2016 LIVE Streaming Details
TV Channel: Star Sports 1, HD1 (English) and 3, HD3 (Hindi)
Online Stream: www.starsports.com, Hotstar App
Match Date: 18 March 2016, Friday
Match Time: 1500 IST, 0930 GMT
Match Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
Team News
Australian Team
The team management are set to continue with the experiment of having Warner in the middle order while Aaron Finch and Watson open the proceedings. The depth in their batting unit could also mean that Maxwell’s spot in the order could be dependent on the match situation.
Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Coulter-Nile could form a potent new-ball partnership with James Faulkner’s variations of pace giving an additional seam option. If the warm-up matches are anything to go by, Adam Zampa’s leg-spin might get him the nod ahead of Ashton Agar.
New Zealand Team
With spin likely to play a lesser role than in Nagpur, Williamson might bring back the opening combination of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. As a result, one of their surprisingly successful spin troika would have to make way.
The batting lineup should not see a lot of changes as they coped admirably with a treacherous surface, early on in the event. The likes of Colin Munro and Corey Anderson will have a slightly different role to play.
Also read: India vs Pakistan Head to Head in T20Is, match records and facts
Teams (Predicted XI)
Australia XI Squad
Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, David Warner, Steve Smith (C), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (WK), James Faulkner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand XI Squad
Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliot, Mitchell Santer, Luke Ronchi (WK), Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi
Match Pitch and Conditions
Set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the Himalayas, the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is one of the highest grounds in the world. The pitch may bring the swing bowlers into play while batsmen could enjoy the pace on offer.
But, the weather forecast for the contest does not look promising with thunderstorms predicted on match day. Average temperatures are expected to be quite low which might bring about considerable dew.
Recent Form
Australia: W-W-L-L-L
New Zealand: W-W-W-L-W
Key Stats: Australia vs New Zealand
- This will be the first meeting between Australia and New Zealand at the World T20
- Australia enjoy a favorable head to head record against the Blackcaps in T20Is with four victories and one tied encounter.
- Nathan McCullum is the top wicket-taker for the Kiwis in T20Is with 57 scalps from 62 matches at 22.31
- No Australian bowler has taken a five-wicket haul in T20Is yet.
- However, the top 2 highest scores in a T20I innings belong to Australia courtesy of both their openers.
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