Smith set to lead strong ODI squad in NZ

UPDATE: Zampa in, no Khawaja as squad confirmed

Australia are set to pick a full-strength squad tomorrow for the three-match Chappell-Hadlee ODI series against the Black Caps in New Zealand early next month.

A majority of the squad that thumped India 4-1 in the Victoria Bitter ODI Series is expected to make the trip across the Tasman in a 14-man touring party led by skipper Steve Smith.

Quick Single: Sayers the bolter in Australia's Test squad to NZ

Spearhead James Pattinson will likely return after shin soreness, along with in-form left-hander Usman Khawaja, to gain some invaluable experience in New Zealand conditions ahead of the two-Test Trans-Tasman Trophy. 

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Starting on February 3 in Auckland, the one-day series will be the only preparation for several of Australia's Test stars, including Smith, David Warner and the Marsh brothers, ahead of the Test series that commences nine days later in Wellington.

To combat the lack of a red-ball tour match for the Test squad, Cricket Australia scheduled the round six Sheffield Shield clash between the NSW Blues and Alcohol.Think Again Warriors, also starting on February 3, at Lincoln's Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

Josh Hazlewood, who played all six Commonwealth Bank Tests this summer and the first ODI but was rested thereafter, is expected to dust off the cobwebs for the Blues in Lincoln alongside teammates Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill and against WA captain Adam Voges. 

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That leaves fast-bowling trio Peter Siddle, Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers, and opening batsman Joe Burns, as the only players in the Test squad without game time in New Zealand ahead of the first Test at Eden Park.

While Australia have been imperious at home, not losing a Test since November 2012, their record away has been less than impressive.

In their last 10 series played overseas, dating back to the October 2010 tour of India, Australia have won four, lost five and drawn one.

And that’s the primary focus for captain Smith, who in nine Tests at the helm, all at home, is yet to taste defeat.

"That challenge (winning away from home) starts in New Zealand next month and we’ll be preparing for conditions there where we’ll be expecting the pitches to seam and the ball to swing around quite a bit, so that will be a tough one first up," Smith said in his cricket.com.au blog.

"Wickets in New Zealand will also be a bit slower than what we’re used to here in Australia, so we’re going to have to adapt more quickly than we’ve been able to in some other overseas tours and make sure we’re ready to go from the moment we arrive."

Australia (possible): Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Matthew Wade, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Kane Richardson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh