Australia will aim to continue its invincible win streak while Kiwis would come to all guns blazing against the current world number 1 ranked team. Australia has won both the matches it has played so far. New Zealand won 1 match and lost the other. Both teams are studded with all-rounders who are in the best form.
To defeat a tough side like Australia, the Kiwis will have to utilise their skills to the maximum potential and execute them finely like the way they did against India. Australia was clinical both with bat and ball. In the batting order, they have checks and balances at every position. With a long line-up of all-rounders in the squad in both the teams, they have great depth in the batting order. Be it the opening batting order or the lower order, each batter have clarity and stability in the roles assigned to them.
Meghan Schutt, Lea Tahuhu lead the Australian and Newzealand pace attack respectively. Australia has youngsters like Darcie Brown and Tahlia McGrath consistent spells add more strength to this pace department. Jess Kerr and Hannah Rowe as second and third options for pace bowling have done an incredible job in pitching with wickets in crunch situations. Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey are also solid bowling options available to complement the pace attack for the Aussies.
Ashleigh Gardner will return back to the squad for this match, it adds more aggressive batting strength in the middle overs. Also, she is a key bowler in the middle overs.
Bowling accuracy and consistent lengths will guide the Kiwis to limit Aussies to bat effortlessly. The margin of them losing the opening match was narrow (3-runs) but holding the nerves in crunch situations will guide them to the track of victory. This was an important task that they have to address before facing the mighty Aussies.
Aussies have been clinical with their all-round performances both while chasing and defending but they will have to be consistent to take on the inform Newzealand team. The Kiwis will try to get their winning momentum going on. This will be a battle between two teams possessing plenty of all-rounders in Wellington at Basin Reserve.
Probable Playing XI:
AUSTRALIA: Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (C), Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (WK), Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Meghan Schutt, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown
NEW ZEALAND: Sophie Devine (C), Amy Satterthwaite, Frances Mackay, Katey Martin (WK), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Hayley Jensen
