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New Zealand opt to bowl first in third Australia T20
WELLINGTON, March 3, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl as they look to wrap up the series against Australia in the third Twenty20 international on Wednesday.
Skipper Kane Williamson said the Black Caps, already 2-0 up in the five-match series, wanted to test the Australian batters on the Wellington stadium’s drop-in wicket.
“It looks a pretty good surface, I’m sure it’ll be similar throughout (the match) but we’ll try to make use of it with the ball first up,” he said.
The New Zealand team features just one change from the last match in Dunedin, with batsman Mark Chapman replacing all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who has a cold.
Under-pressure Australian captain Aaron Finch said the tourists were determined to turn around their fortunes.
“We weren’t at our best in the first two games but we improved so that’s all you can ask,” he said.
“We’re very confident we can still drag it back and get to 3-2.”
Paceman Riley Meredith, who recently signed a US$1.1 million Indian Premier League contract, makes his international debut for Australia, replacing Daniel Sams.
Unusually for New Zealand, the Wellington match is being played behind closed doors because of a Covid-19 outbreak that has forced Auckland into lockdown.
“Obviously it’s a bit bizarre but that’s the way it is,” Williamson said.
“Just great that we’re able to be playing, we’re fortunate to have that.”
Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Matthew Wade, Josh Philippe, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Riley Meredith, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert, Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.
BSS/AFP/AU/12:05 hrs