COC Cricbattle Daily Fantasy Cricket League Tips: Australia vs New Zealand on February 3
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Fresh from a 4-1 spanking in the one-day arena, Australia turns their hand to a format in which they’ve enjoyed considerably less success. Australia heads into this month’s Twenty20 tri-series, the first of its kind among full-member nations against New Zealand and England as firm underdogs despite hosting the first half of the tournament. While the Big Bash League is in rude health and is arguably the premier Twenty20 competition in the world, Australia’s national side sits seventh on the ICC’s men’s rankings, eight points behind fourth-ranked England and 12 behind world no.2 New Zealand. It’s a lowly ranking that comes off the back of just eight wins from 18 matches in the past three years. That’s fewer victories than the United Arab Emirates and Scotland. Worryingly for Australia, home conditions have not proved a comfort of late. They lost five home T20s on the trot against India in Sri Lanka in 2016 and 2017 respectively, before winning a dead rubber at Adelaide Oval.
Best economical pick – Ish Sodhi has performed decently in the T20 format for the Kiwis over the past few years. He has churned out wickets and has an instrumental part of the Kiwis bowling lineup. He has also bowled well during the last 2 T20I series for New Zealand.
Top captains & vice captains – Aaron Finch’s injury clears the way for D’arcy Short to make his Australian debut, though Warner did stress that Chris Lynn was also in the running to open the batting. Short was the top run-scorer (504 runs at 56.00) in the regular season of this summer’s Big Bash League, setting a new record for the most runs in a single campaign. Chris Lynn only played five matches for the Brisbane Heat this season due to a calf complaint. The Queenslander still enjoyed a strong enough season (148 at 37.00, strike rate of 162.63) and considering Travis Head has been released to play for the Adelaide Strikers it would be a surprise if Australia could not find room in its XI for either of Lynn or Short.
Smart pick – Colin Munro is known for his typical belligerence at the top of the order and he has redefined his form since he has been opening the innings for New Zealand. He has 3 T20I centuries to his name till now.
Cautious Pick – Tom Bruce has been a lock in New Zealand’s T20 XI for the past year, but given his form in that time (152 at 16.88) will be under pressure to hold onto his spot from Anaru Kitchen.
My XI – D’arcy Short (Captain), Chris Lynn (Vice-Captain), Ish Sodhi, Colin Munro, Andrew Tye, Trent Boult, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey,David Warner, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor
