New Zealand vs Australia, New Zealand vs Australia 2021, Today Match Prediction 07 Mar 2021

nz vs aus Match Prediction & Analysis

The New Zealand-Australia T20I series is now nicely balanced at 2-2 as Australia came back strongly to win two matches in a row. In the 4th T20I, they demolished the home side by 50 runs in what was a low-scoring encounter. New Zealand’s batting has suddenly lost its touch and is looking a little off-color. They will have to be at their best in the final game or they risk losing the series after taking a 2-0 lead. Australia, meanwhile, would just be looking to continue theory excellent form. They have played as a proper unit in these last two games and will begin as favorites to clinch the series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand had their worst game of the series in the 4th T20I as they were bundled out for a paltry 106 while chasing a target of 157. They had Australia on the mat at one stage when they were reeling at 97-5. However, some poor bowling allowed the visitors to get away to a fighting total on a tough pitch. The Kiwi bowlers had a good day for the most part and the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi delivered. But Kyle Jamieson proved to be expensive again and it was his last over that went for 26 runs which changed the game Australia’s way.

As for the Kiwi batting, everything fell apart in the last game with the highest score of 30 coming from No.9 Kyle Jamieson. They have a solid batting unit with the likes of Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and James Neesham, and they would be certainly be looking to come back stronger in the series decider.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, KS Williamson, Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, TG Southee

Australia Preview

Australia are hitting all the right notes ever since losing that close game in the 2nd T20I. Their batting and bowling has both risen to the occasion and different players have responded when it matters. In the last game, when the team was struggling, captain Aaron Finch led from the front with a sparkling 79* off 55 balls that took the game away from the home side. While the other batsmen failed to make a notable contribution, the team wouldn’t be too worried as they have enough quality in Glen Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Matthew Wade, apart from the captain himself.

Australia’s bowling has been even better with almost everyone being among the wickets. Ashton Agar (2-11) delivered another crucial spell in the last match while Kane Richardson (3-19) and Glenn Maxwell (2-14) impressed as well. With so much variety in the bowling, Australia will be quite a handful in the series decider that will be played on the same venue. 
 

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Philippe, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, KW Richardson, Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Marsh

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington was on the slower side in the 4th T20I. It’s unlikely that the surface will be exactly the same in the series decider. Though the pitch should once again assist both bowlers and batsmen. Seamers will find good purchase on this wicket and the role of spinners, in particular, could be pivotal in the last innings.

The weather for the match day is expected to be cloudy with some spells of rain. That could lead to a curtailed match, unfortunately. 
 

Venue Details

We’ve had two very contrasting games in the Westpac Stadium in Wellington this series. In the 3rd T20I, Australia amassed 208-4 while batting first while the second one turned out to be a completely low-scoring affair. How the pitch behaves in the final game will be interesting too. This venue has generally been a high-scoring one with four totals of 190-plus having been scored here already. 

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss should look to bat first as all the games in the series has been won by the side bating first.