Toss Australia chose to bowl vs New Zealand
Marnus Labuschagne has been recalled for the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee series in Cairns as Australia strengthen their batting order. But it’s the New Zealand batting which will be tested first after Aaron Finch put them in to bat, pushing his attempt at a return to form to the evening.
Labuschagne comes in for Ashton Agar meaning Glenn Maxwell could be used more with the ball when Australia’s chance comes in the field. He is the only change from the XI which played the last two ODIs against Zimbabwe in Townsville.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have left out Finn Allen in order to accommodate Kane Williamson’s return after he missed the latter stages of the West Indies series. Devon Conway will open alongside Martin Guptill. Michael Bracewell has been retained in the middle order as a second spin-bowling option while a fit-again Matt Henry has edged out Tim Southee.
This is the first international game in Cairns since 2004 and Finch said there were “a lot of unknowns” in how the conditions would play.
Australia 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Cameron Green, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Willaimson (capt), 4 Tom Latham (wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Michael Bracewell, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult
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