Big names set to miss out as Aussies chase world record

A switch to the one-day format will do nothing to alleviate Australia’s selection squeeze, with coach Matthew Mott revealing few changes are expected to the made for the upcoming Rose Bowl matches in Tauranga.

Australia are aiming to win a record 22nd consecutive ODI on Sunday and continue a winning streak that stretches back to March 2018. Their last defeat in the format came in October 2017.

They took a bumper 17-player squad to New Zealand for the three T20Is and three ODIs but used just 12 players across the 20-over leg of the tour, with spin-bowling allrounder Sophie Molineux a notable name pushed out of the side due to the return of Ellyse Perry from injury.

Mott said Australia would continue to field their strongest available side through the one-dayers, meaning few – if any – changes will be made to the XI for Sunday’s first ODI at Bay Oval.

A final side was due to be selected following Saturday’s training session.

"The short answer is it’s going to be a squeeze," Mott said on Saturday.

"It’s very hard and that’s why selection in the first couple of weeks on tour is pretty crucial because we don’t tend to change a lot, unless players get injured.

"We’ve made a couple of changes with the quicks, but the batting group and the spinners (are similar) across the T20 and ODI formats."

There will, however, likely be three changes to the most recent one-day XI Australia fielded in Brisbane last October, following the returns of Perry and Tayla Vlaeminck and the absence of Annabel Sutherland. Captain Meg Lanning also missed that match at Allan Border Field due to a hamstring niggle.

Mott pointed to Molineux, who had featured in every match for Australia since returning from injury for the World Cup semi-final last March, as being particularly unlucky.

"It’s very unfortunate for Soph because she’s been a great performer for us and it makes it tough to have those conversations when players are doing well and they miss out," he said.

"But (the players) know there’s a lot of competition … they’re missing out to some very good players.

"She’s been exceptional, she’s working on her game and she’ll certainly be in the frame for tomorrow. But it’s going to be a tight squeeze."

The extra players Australia brought to New Zealand allowed for cover should injuries or illness arise, given quarantine restrictions mean no one could be added mid-tour.

Mott said while there was a temptation to trial different players, particularly with Australia due to contest the ODI World Cup in these conditions next March and April, winning the Rose Bowl – which Australia have held since 2000 – will take priority.

However, with Vlaeminck only likely to play in two of the three ODIs as her return from a serious foot injury is carefully managed, 18-year-old Darcie Brown is a strong chance to make a one-day debut.

"The hard part of having 17 players over here is that you’d love to give players an opportunity, but it’s an important series in its own right,” Mott said.

“We’ve got a proud history in the Rose Bowl and we need to play our strongest team as often as we can.

"It would be nice to be able to give some of these players on the fringes a chance in these conditions, but they will get a chance to train at these venues and they will get a feel for it."

The series is a chance for Australia to refine their one-day plans ahead of next year’s World Cup, and a welcome return to the 50-over format having played just six ODIs since October 2019.

It is a drought in part due to a focus on 20-over cricket ahead of the 2020 T20 World Cup, while two ODI series in the past 12 months – away against South Africa and at home against India – were cancelled due to COVID-19.

"We would love to have played (one-day) cricket in that time but the focus in the last couple of years has been towards the T20 formats with the World Cups," Mott said.

"The next year will hopefully look a fair bit different leading into a World Cup over here."

CommBank tour of New Zealand 2021

Australia ODI & T20I Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Molly Strano, Georgia Wareham, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck

New Zealand ODI squad: Amy Satterthwaite (capt), Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Frances Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin (wk), Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

1st T20: Australia won by six wickets

2nd T20: New Zealand won by four wickets

3rd T20: Play abandoned due to rain

1st ODI: April 4, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 9am AEDT

2nd ODI: April 7, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12noon AEDT

3rd ODI: April 10, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12noon AEDT

All matches will be shown live in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo