Australia aim quick turnaround to keep ODI series alive

With just a few months left for the 2017 Women's World Cup, Australia are clearly not in a comfortable position in terms of their form. After losing the Twenty20 International series at home to New Zealand a week back, they were beaten fair and square in the first One-Day International in their opponent's backyard. Even though the teams will be looking to make minor adjustments to their team composition before the mega event, Australia would be wary of the fact that another loss that could jeopardise their confidence going into the tournament. It will also ensure that they lose the trans-Tasman trophy after 17 years.

The build-up around the second game has been revolving around two batters though who have been racking up the runs in phenomenal fashion in 50-overs cricket. And all eyes will be Amy Satterthwaite when she steps out to bat in the second ODI at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Thursday (March 2). Her brilliant unbeaten century in the first ODI was instrumental in New Zealand chasing down 276 and it also helped her equal Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara's record of scoring four successive hundreds in the format. If she can manage to register another three-figure score on Thursday, Satterthwaite will be standing tall with a new unprecedented record in her hands.

"For someone like Amy to play the innings she did speaks volumes about her experience at this level of cricket. It's highlighted a couple of things we need to work on," said Australia's star allrounder Ellyse Perry, on the eve of the game. It's a crucial game for Perry herself as the 26-year-old will be playing in her first game since a hamstring injury she sustained during the Women's Big Bash last month ruled her out of action. With an incredible batting average of 48.66, Australia will be hoping that she can hit her strides right from the outset.

Ever since Perry earned a promotion up the order, she has been averaging 92.53 in the format and has hit 17 half-centuries in her last 24 innings. If she can score another half-century in her comeback game, Perry will be equalling her own record of six successive fifty-plus scores in ODI cricket. "It's been a long time since I played in a lot of ways, but I'm confident with the rehabilitation done and the preparation I've been able to do since injuring myself and getting back on tour with the girls," Perry said. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity tomorrow and seeing how it goes."

Perry's contribution with the ball will be crucial as well, following the high-scoring encounter in Auckland on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if Australia risk playing their vice-captain Alex Blackwell for this game after she missed the first match with a hamstring strain. Skipper Meg Lanning will be looking to score some runs after missing out in the last three matches across the two formats. The middle order appears to be in good touch with Elyse Villani and Rachael Haynes notching up fifties in Auckland and Australia will be aiming for a better bowling performance having managed to dismiss only five New Zealand batters.

The hosts' seam attack shared all ten wickets in the previous game and they would have been pleased with their efforts to restrict Australia to 275 from 237 for 3. But once again, the batting might of the two teams will likely decide the winner.

When: Thursday, March 2, 11.00 local, 03:30 IST

Where: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

What to expect: Partly cloudy with a maximum of 26 degrees

Team News:

New Zealand: The hosts are expected to go in with an unchanged XI following the win in the first ODI

Australia: Ellyse Perry is all set to make her comeback from the hamstring injury that she sustained in the Women's Big Bash last month. Australia could bring back their vice-captain Alex Blackwell as well for this crucial clash.

What they said:

"From my experience they respond, they come back really hard. They will have a really honest appraisal about where they're at and they'll do exactly what we're doing: putting plans in place to make their side improve." - New Zealand coach Haidee Tiffen

"We missed a few things with the ball the other day but everyone's feeling positive and the girls are determined to improve and are looking forward to another opportunity." - Australian allrounder Ellyse Perry

Squads:

New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates(c), Erin Bermingham, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Thamsyn Newton, Katie Perkins, Liz Perry, Rachel Priest, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu

Australia Women: Meg Lanning(c), Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Rene Farrell, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Amanda Wellington