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Auckland: After dominating at home over the past few months Australia finds itself in an unusual position heading into game two of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 1-0 down following Wednesday's defeat to New Zealand in Napier.
And if the loss to the Black Caps in the second Twenty20 international last Sunday is factored in the tourists have actually succumbed two matches in succession, which hasn't happened since the two losses from as many starts at last year's ICC World Twenty20 sent the team out of the tournament.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have both said since the two-wicket defeat that while the result was disappointing there were enough positives to come out of the game to encourage the world's No.1 team that it can quickly turn things around.
Nearly all of the batsmen got starts in the game without going on with the job following Shane Watson's whirlwind 45 from 31 balls at the top of the order, with Hussey top-scoring with 59 at a run a ball and Ponting (44), Cameron White (33) and James Hopes (33) all contributing.
All the more frustrating for Australia that it didn't start the series with a win was the fact that Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori didn't play because of a neck injury and Jacob Oram was unable to see out the game after hurting a knee in the field.
While the hosts are hopeful that Vettori will return, leaving his stand-in Ross Taylor with a perfect captaincy record thus far, Oram will take no further part in the series and is also expected to have his Indian Premier League campaign with Chennai Super Kings delayed by two or three weeks.
It will of course also be interesting to observe how the teams approach each other following the clash between Mitchell Johnson and Scott Styris late in Wednesday's game as Styris was bringing the Kiwis home.
Having had to endure his share of distractions leading up to last year's Ashes series in England, when he battled with his consistency, it will be intriguing to see how well Johnson handles the adversity this time around.
Australia has a winning record at Eden Park, having prevailed nine times from the 14 matches contested there but the most recent three years ago in the lead-up to the last World Cup saw the Black Caps triumph by five wickets in game two as they eventually swept the series.
Hussey's 84-ball 105 and an unbeaten 97 to Brad Hodge from 86 balls, as the pair belted 18 fours and eight sixes between them, weren't enough to get their side home despite Australia making 4-336.
Taylor led the way with 117 from 127 deliveries and Peter Fulton made 76 from 65 while Craig McMillan (52 from 30 balls) and Brendon McCullum (22 not out from 12) provided further lusty late hitting to get New Zealand home.
Whichever team bats first will be looking to a total of at least 300 with Australia's 275 on Wednesday proving to be probably at least 20 short as New Zealand won with four balls to spare but even 300 may not be enough if the game three years ago is any guide.
Team news
New Zealand: If Vettori is cleared he can come into the spot left by Oram. Michael Mason, the Central Districts bowler, has joined the squad as bowling cover.
Squad (from): DL Vettori (capt), SE Bond, NT Broom, JEC Franklin, MJ Guptill, PJ Ingram, BB McCullum (wk), NL McCullum, JDP Oram, TG Southee, SB Styris, LRPL Taylor, DR Tuffey.
Australia don't have much room to move in their 13-man squad, with Adam Voges and Clint McKay the only back-up options. They should keep faith in the same side but their batsmen are under orders not to waste their starts.
Squad (from): RT Ponting (capt), MJ Clarke, DE Bollinger, BJ Haddin (wk), RJ Harris, NM Hauritz, JR Hopes, MEK Hussey, MG Johnson, CJ McKay, SE Marsh, AC Voges, SR Watson, CL White.
Pitch and conditions
Eden Park has a current capacity of 12,000 and the match will be a sell-out. It is another rugby ground, meaning some of the boundaries are tiny. The top temperature is expected to be 26C and there is a chance of an afternoon shower.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Start time 12:00 local (23:00 GMT)
