New Zealand v Australia, 3rd ODI, Hamilton

Match Facts
Tuesday, March 9, Hamilton
Start time 1400 (0100 GMT)

The Big Picture
Chappell-Hadlee matches have a habit of being close and the opening two games of this series have been no exception. With a couple of overs remaining in each clash, either side could have won and a 1-1 scoreline is fitting. The Auckland encounter didn't feature the heated mood that simmered over in Napier, when Mitchell Johnson and Scott Styris clashed, but there remains some tension and the crowds have been vocal in their feelings towards the Australians.

Much of the focus for the New Zealand camp has been their injury worries, with James Franklin and Ross Taylor added to the casualty list on the weekend. They are already unable to pick Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler or Andy McKay due to injuries. It has left the team short and they would be keen for fringe players like Neil Broom and Peter Ingram to step up in the remaining games.

"I'm happy but as a captain [you get] sick of having to test depth issues," Vettori said. "We want our full team available as often as possible and it hurts you. But it's created opportunities. You look at the likes of a Gareth Hopkins who has come in and performed very well on his few chances. Maybe there are opportunities there but I think it would be better if it was 15 fully-fit guys competing for places."

Team news
Finding 11 fit players is half the battle for New Zealand. They lost Jacob Oram to a knee injury in the first game and on Saturday, Taylor didn't play due to a leg problem and Franklin hobbled off with a hamstring injury. Taylor and Franklin are considered 50-50 chances for this game, although Franklin's all-round requirements mean they could be more cautious in resting him. Vettori will play again despite his stiff neck and he could be joined by the uncapped batsman Shanan Stewart, who was called in to cover for Taylor. Gareth Hopkins will keep wickets again due to Brendon McCullum's sore back.

New Zealand (possible) 1 Brendon McCullum (wk), 2 Peter Ingram, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor/Shanan Stewart, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Scott Styris, 7 Gareth Hopkins (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Daryl Tuffey, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Shane Bond.

Injuries are no such problem for Australia, who have all 13 members of their squad fit and available for selection. Although the batsmen again failed to make use of their starts on Saturday, it's hard to see Adam Voges being preferred to any of the incumbent men. The only possible change is the potential inclusion of the fast man Clint McKay. Following a boom home summer, Doug Bollinger has had a couple of busts in New Zealand and could sit out of this one.

Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Cameron White, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Hauritz, 10 Ryan Harris, 11 Clint McKay.

http://www.cricinfo.com/nzvaus2010/content/current/story/451090.html

Aussies to win and i am hoping it is another cracker of a contest. How fitting would it be for Watson or MJ to hit the winning runs or to grab the last wicket, im sure the kiwi's would be loving that

Yeah that'd be awesome Maxi haha.

I'm predicting a high scoring game here. I really hope we bat first tomorrow. Wouldn't mind seeing us post a massive score.

Cmon Aussies!

This won't be a high-scoring game.
Seddon Park is quite a bowlers wicket.

I reckon NZ will bat first. Get 250-280.
McCullum and Ingram will get 50's.
Broom, Pig and Dan will play key roles at the end.

Aussie will fall short by 20-40 runs.
Dan and Bondy getting 3 each with Timmy bowling superbly at the end to win it.

Cmoooonnnn Kiwis .

Kiwis to win it by 25 or so runs/4 wickets.

Daryl Tuffey has joined the walking wounded in the New Zealand cricket camp and will miss today's third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy game against Australia in Hamilton.
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Michael Mason comes in . Not a a bad replaceent at all. Taylor still has to do a fitness test and Fraklin is out.

WOOHOO! Michael Mason is the man, still remember when he hit the winning runs against the poms with that massive 4.

Australia won the toss and elected to field



Don't rate our chances anymore.....We are a chasing side

Kiwis going along nicely, they are currently 45-1 off 7 overs.

edit: McCullum out

MJ Guptill gone for 21, Kiwis go from 1-45 to 3-55

Don't worry Rosco will save us!

73-3

Rosco 9, Broom 12
These 2 need to have a good partnership.
And both can start smashing whenever they want

with Rosco and Styris still to bat I am very confident we'll put up a very strong total.

^ and don't forget Dan.
Hopkins looked good last game.
Weather he can back that up waits to be seen.

Oh how we missed Rosco last game.
Just smashed Hopeless and Hauritz for sixes

If we keep wickets in hand close to 300 is very much possible.

here is the most lethal partnership in international cricket. Scotty and Rosco.

Rosco gone for 62
The Wanker Watson got him.

James Hopes you die now for that dropped catch

edit: hopkins out