Warner-led Australia's chance to remedy lowly T20I ranking
David Warner, the Aussie skipper for the T20I tri-series, has played just one game in the format at home in the last five years
The Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) traditionally signals the downtrend of the Australian cricket summer. Interest from the public has been generally lukewarm as attention starts turning in February towards the impending return of the Australian Rules football/rugby seasons.
The first match of the tri-series between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday (February 3) is sandwiched between the Big Bash League second semi-final and final with interest significantly higher for the domestic matches than the international counterparts.
However, there is hope that the new tri-series concept can revive flagging attention with Australia pitted against their traditional foes England and New Zealand in a tournament starting at home before shifting across the Tasman.
With a perennially weakened team, Australia have lacked continuity in this format and struggled accordingly. Unlike Australia's third-string team a year ago against Sri Lanka, this squad contains significant draw-cards including captain David Warner - playing a rare T20I match in Australia - and T20 superstar Chris Lynn. The mercurial Glenn Maxwell is always an intriguing subplot, while emerging talent D'Arcy Short gets his first taste at the international level.
Australia has long-struggled in this format although largely escaped scrutiny because their best players usually are absent due to the hectic nature of international cricket. That is once again the case with Australia's Test squad of South Africa - bar Warner - rested for the tri-series.
Even though they are weakened, Australia's squad oozes with firepower and will be keen to start stringing together some victories against potent New Zealand and England line-ups. Their current low ranking of No.7 is an eyesore for such a proud cricket nation and one they want to significantly improve ahead of the next T20 WC held on home soil.
Australia will be tested first up against a New Zealand team currently ranked No.2. However, the Kiwis lost 2-0 most recently to Pakistan to slightly sour a dominant home stand across the formats. New Zealand have generally played well in limited-overs cricket in Australia and will be confident of a strong showing for a team possessing plenty of experience and familiar names.
While Australia have lacked stability, New Zealand boast veterans and mainstays across the line-up but their eclectic bowling attack will be hoping for a far better showing after struggling to curtail Pakistan.
As per the norm of the format, there should be plenty of fireworks in what looms as an entertaining tri-series.
When: Saturday, February 3, 2018; 7.20PM local, 1.50PM IST
Where: SCG, Sydney
What to expect: Rain is predicted to hit Sydney on Saturday although the forecast is for it to strike during the morning and afternoon. As per most T20 wickets, the SCG pitch is expected to be batting friendly although rain could juice it up.
Team News
Australia
Opener Aaron Finch has not recovered from a hamstring injury, which ruled him out of the final two ODIs against England. Without Finch and Travis Head - who has been released to play in the BBL - Australia's line-up lacks batting depth. D'Arcy Short and Chris Lynn are in the frame to partner Warner at the top.
Probable XI: David Warner (c), D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
New Zealand
New Zealand's bowling struggled against Pakistan but selectors are likely to back their experienced and skilled attack in the tri-series opener.
Probable XI: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Did you know
Australia and New Zealand have played one T20I match at the SCG with the hosts winning by just one run in February of 2009.
Australia have lost five of their last six T20Is at home.
Testament to Australia's lack of continuity in the T20I format, Warner has only played one T20I in Australia in the past five years.
What they said
"We have to keep improving, we've said that about the last 12-24 months improving overall how we're playing in this format," David Warner, the Australian captain.
"We played some good cricket throughout the summer, the last couple of games haven't been our best, but the beauty of the side is we don't ride the emotions that can come with winning and losing," Tim Southee, the New Zealand, paceman.