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12-Feb-2009 20:47:00 GMT
New Zealand in Australia, 2008/09

Australia v New Zealand 5th ODI, Brisbane, Feb 13

Brisbane: The series is up for grabs as the Aussies and the Kiwis go head to head in the final game of the 5th match ODI series tomorrow at the Gabba. Australia have clawed back from 2-0 down to level the series and if they manage to win at the Gabba it will be only the third occasion in a bilateral series that a side has come back from 0-2 down to win a series.

A back injury has put Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke's participation in doubt in Friday's crucial final ODI against New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in Brisbane.

The injury kept Clarke away from Thursday's net session at the Gabba. The series is leveled 2-2.

Skipper Ricky Ponting said that Clarke opted out of the training session but admitted that his deputy's condition has to improve to open Australia's innings.

If Clarke fails to pass the fitness test Friday morning, Queensland all-rounder James Hopes is likely to move up the order to open the innings while West Australian Adam Voges might get a call-up to the team.

Ponting also hinted that Clarke could be replaced by fast bowler Peter Siddle, to form a four-man pace attack to exploit Brisbane's cloudy conditions.

Last time Tim Southee was in Brisbane his swing bowling shocked Australia.

Brendon McCullum's shoulder will not stop him from playing and Daniel Vettori's hamstring is fine, so New Zealand's only choice is between using the extra batsman in Craig Cumming and employing slow-bowling support for Vettori.

Peter Fulton has been a major disappointment this series along with the promising Martin Guptill. The Black Caps will want to take the Chappell- Hadlee silverware back across the Tasman especially as a strong Indian outfit awaits them on their soil.

Fact about match

  • Ricky Ponting will move ahead of Allan Border's Australian record of 178 ODIs in charge. Ponting has overseen 132 victories at a winning percentage of 78.23, compared to Border's 61.42% and Steve Waugh's 65.23% in 106 contests.
  • The last time the sides were in Brisbane for the decider of a Chappell-Hadlee Series the match was washed out and the trophy was shared.
  • In the past three years New Zealand have won 22 of 36 games chasing and 16 of 32 when batting first
  • Only South Africa against Pakistan and Bangladesh against Zimbabwe have come back from 0-2 down to win a 5 match ODI series.

Pitch Report: The Gabba outfield almost looks like it did last summer after overcoming a fungus that made it seem more like a club ground than an international venue.

Weather:There is also a shower being predicted for tomorrow which could act as a real dampener.

Head to Head: Total 116, Aus 80, NZ 32, NR 4


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