3 Fantastico Battles that could Impact the 2nd ODI between Aus and NZ

The Australian team will be keen to put up a better performance in the 2nd ODI match against a rampaging New Zealand team that decimated them in all departments at the Eden Park. The Kiwis on the other hand are flying high after having had a perfect summer thus far and they will be looking to add to their successes by adding the Chappell-Hadlee trophy to their cabinet. There will surely be many sub-battles to look forward to in the second ODI at Wellington.

3 Fantastico battles to look forward to in this match:

Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Steve Smith Vs Trent Boult and Matt Henry

Usman Khawaja is a man who has had to wait for his chance despite scoring runs by the bucket loads in all forms of the game recently. David Warner and Steve Smith left the T20I series against India after the first match to prepare for this series. These are the three men who will have to burden the bulk of the responsibility to neutralize the threat posed by Trent Boult and Matt Henry. Khawaja and Warner, both left-handers, will have to be especially wary of Boult who can swing it both ways. Warner will, in all probability, look to play his natural game but he may need to work a little harder on his shot selection. Steve Smith, as a leader and probably the best batsman in this line up will also have to step up. If there was ever a time that required a captain to stand up to be counted, it is this. Boult and Henry, the two men who annihilated the strong Aussie batting with swing and pace will be looking to repeat their efforts and ensure a Kiwi win.

Glenn Maxwell Vs Mitchell Santner

Glenn Maxwell will be another batsman who will be central to Australia's progress and revival. He has been pretty quiet ever since he returned from his injury which he had sustained mid-way through the India ODI series. He will have to lift his game up and look to stay on the crease playing normal shots initially before launching in to an attack. Mitchell Santner is an innocuous looking spinner but who has a golden arm. He will also be on a hat-trick in this match after he picked up the final two Aussie wickets to finish their innings in the last match.

Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill Vs Australian Opening Bowlers

Brendon McCullum, playing in his penultimate ODI game will look to play another peppy innings. His batting is punctuated by an authoritative brazenness which is based on a simple rule - "Every Ball Must Go the Distance”. He does not caress the ball but murders it. The fans all around the world would be hoping that his 29 off 44 balls in the first match was just a trailer and that he would be able to play a much longer kamikaze innings in this match. Martin Guptill, having rediscovered his form lately after enduring a wretched series down under will also be looking to play another innings full of impact.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.