Australia sends Kiwis into bat

11 Mar 2010, 1:11 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Australia have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Thursday's crucial fourth One Day International against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park. (AAP)

Australia have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Thursday's crucial fourth One Day International against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park. (AAP)

Australia have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Thursday's crucial fourth One Day
International against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

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Australia have won the toss and elected to bowl first in Thursday's crucial fourth One Day
International against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

Australia lead the five-game series two-one and can retain the Chappell Hadlee Trophy with victory on Thursday.

Ricky Ponting named an unchanged Australian side while the Black Caps, who must win to keep the series alive, have recalled James Franklin and Daryl Tuffey from injury and handed batsman Shanan Stewart his debut.

It was Ponting's fourth successive toss victory and by inserting the opposition he's following the tactic which worked well in game three and led to a six-wicket win.

The match is set to start in fine conditions on a pitch expected to suit big scores.

Ponting's side have the chance to retain the Chappell Hadlee Trophy if they win.

The tourists lead the five-game series 2-1 after two successive victories led by pace duo Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris who have claimed 13 wickets in the past two games.

Harris has taken 27 wickets in 10 one-day internationals this summer and was celebrating recently after being named in Australia's 14-man squad.

"I had two operations on my knee in the winter. I was very very close to getting another one, a cartilage repair, which would have ended my season," Harris said.

"I went down to Melbourne and had a second opinion and lucky I did. The doctor stuck me with some needles and it seems to have worked so far.

"To be able to get back to where I am and take wickets ... it has been very relieving.

"Getting back in the Australian team, it happened so quickly. It has been a good summer.

"For me to play Test cricket would be a dream come true. I'm trying not to think about it."

New Zealand coach Mark Greathbatch has indicated the Black Caps are keen to reshuffle their batting lineup, with skipper Daniel Vettori likely to move higher than No.8 and the in-form Scott Styris being aimed for a role in the top five.

"We got a bit of a lesson, it was our worst game of the series," Greatbatch said of New Zealand's six-wicket defeat on Tuesday in Hamilton.

"So we need to readjust and go back and try to counteract what they've put in front of us. "We need to stay long in the game with Australia and if you don't you end up getting pushed backwards.

"Our best players have got to get in a position in the order to try and win this game of cricket. You've got Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, and Vettori comes into that.

"We might have missed a beat with Dan and he's a bit reluctant to go up sometimes. We need to get our best players in certain areas of that order to create that momentum we're looking for.

"Johnson's been a thorn in our side, taken wickets when he's come on each time."

 

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