Australia vs New Zealand 5th ODI Preview & Live Cricket Score
Despite four matches in two weeks, the Chappell-Hadlee Series comes down to one game. After New Zealand earned a surprise 2-0 lead, they gave up the next two contests to an Australian side playing in a more familiar style, with their big-name run-makers re-emerging from hibernation and the bowlers finding more ways to subdue the fighting, but under-manned tourists.
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However, New Zealand remain surprised and pleased to be in with a chance of winning. No matter what happens in this game, the young side will go home with extra belief after up-ending the hosts in such a dramatic way early in the series. The fast bowlers will have extra responsibility on a friendly surface and must delay Australia’s opening batting charges if they are to have a chance of lifting the trophy they last won in 2006-07.
Australia’s players, who were hurt and upset by the initial defeats, roared back in Sydney and Adelaide, and will be intent on not wasting this hard-earned position. Ricky Ponting might end the Australian campaign with a trophy – his only team prize so far this season came during the Test series against New Zealand – but it won’t be enough to mask the most disappointing home summer since he entered the Australian set-up in 1995-96.
