Tri-nations cricket will make a return once again as Australia, New Zealand and England battle it out for the Trans-Tasman tournament, set to get underway on Saturday.
After an ODI series in which England triumphed by 4-1 over the Aussies, the Kiwis are set to join the fray in what should be an exciting T20 tournament.
Here, we look at the key talking points ahead of the tournament.
FIRST OF ITS KIND
While tri-nations series have been prevalent in ODI cricket, never before has there been one in T20 cricket. Hence, the first of its kind Trans-Tasman tournament should be a welcome change to the monotony of bilateral T20 cricket. In a unique style, the first half of the matches will be held in Australia while the setting will switch to New Zealand for the latter half.
With Australia taking on old foes England and their southern neighbours, there should be no shortage of exciting and enthralling cricket in the series.
It will be the first-ever tri-nations T20 tournament.
NEW ZEALAND SEEK TO REGAIN NO.1 STATUS
After a strong home season, the Blackcaps were undone by Pakistan in T20I series. With the 2-1 loss, Kane Williamson’s men squandered their No.1 ranking in the format to the subcontinent side.
They will be looking to regain top status with a win in the tournament. With the world’s top-rated T20 batsman and bowler in tow, in the form of Colin Munro and Ish Sodhi respectively, the Kiwis will fancy their chances against the English and the Aussies.
Munro and co will be hoping to take New Zealand back to the top.
NEW LOOK AUSTRALIA SEARCH FOR ANSWERS
After being comprehensively outclassed by England in the ODI series, Australia have been left with some introspection to do about their approach in limited-overs cricket. Their watchful and orthodox approach has been shown up big time by England’s aggressive cricket.
With Steve Smith being rested and David Warner being handed the captaincy for the series, it seems that the Aussie selectors are attempting to bring a change starting with the 20-over format. T20 specialists in the form of Chris Lynn, Kane Richardson, Ben Dwarshuis and Glenn Maxwell return to the side while Big Bash League (BBL) hits D’Arcy Short and Alex Carey have also been given a call-up. With a young revamped side under new leadership, it will be interesting to see how the Australians approach the tournament.
Australia are set to blood BBL star D’Arcy Short.
ENGLAND REMAIN FAVOURITES
Eoin Morgan’s men continue to grow from strength to strength in limited-overs cricket and their 4-1 thrashing of Australia was just the latest in a string of impressive results. With big hitters in the form of Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Jos Buttler and the skipper himself along with capable all-rounder in Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes, the Englishmen are already looking as one of the early favourites for the 2018 ICC World Cup.
They will want to translate that success into T20 cricket and there will be no better place to start than the Trans-Tasman tri-series.
England will be flying after thrashing Australia in the ODI series.
