Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

NZ vs AUS 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs AUS 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | New Zealand vs Australia 5th T20I Key Players | Wellington Pitch Report

Just a few months before the 2019 ODI World Cup, Australia skipper Aaron Finch was badly out of form. He then found some form in the five-match ODI series in India, which Australia miraculously won 3-2 after being 2-0 down.

Fast forward two years, and Australia find themselves in a similar position. Their out-of-form captain has struck form, and the team has the chance to win a five-match series after being 2-0 down. And this ahead of the T20 World Cup coming up later in the year.

They were too good for the Black Caps with the ball in the fourth T20I, defending 156 with vigour and prowess to build further confidence. The spinners had a big say, while Kane Richardson, a player whom CricBlog identified as key heading into the final three matches, had his best game of the series.

For New Zealand, it is a question of how quickly they can bounce back as they have been uncharacteristically flat in the past two games. The absence of their beloved fans, who can create a racuous atmosphere, looks to be a factor in their form slump. However, they are too good a side to be getting beaten so easily, no matter the circumstances, so expect a big response in this series decider.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

New Zealand:

• Tim Seifert’s significant struggle epitomised New Zealand’s batting effort in the fourth T20I. He has scored just 27 runs this series after good form vs Pakistan recently. He still possesses good numbers on this ground, owing to previous success: 6 inns, 194 runs, avg. 38.80, SR 143.70.
• Devon Conway has scored the most runs for New Zealand in this series (156, avg. 52.00, SR 143.11). He has shown some good form after a fine Super Smash campaign: 455 runs 10 matches at an average of 65 and SR 135.82.
• Martin Guptill (147 runs, avg. 36.75, SR 161.53) and Kane Williamson (82 runs, avg. 20.50, SR 124.24) hold high importance for the Black Caps in this one. Williamson in particular has been quiet.
• Mitchell Santner loves this ground. He has taken 11 wickets in seven games at an average of 12.90 and economy rate of just 5.68.
• Ish Sodhi has taken the most wickets of any bowler in this series (10). He is coming off 3/32 in the last game.

Australia:

• Welcome back, Aaron Finch. He held a shaky Aussie innings together well in the last game, scoring 79* (55) after his 44-ball 69 in the third T20I. Finch’s record vs NZ now looks very good: 6 inns, 3 not outs, 215 runs, avg. 71.66, SR 151.40.
• Josh Philippe made consecutive scores in the 40s before the last game. Marcus Stoinis has the second-most runs for Australia in this series (after Finch): 114, avg. 38.00, SR 165.21.
• Glenn Maxwell was threatening to go big again after his 30-ball 70 in the third T20I. He contributed with two wickets, which shows he has a role to play with the ball on such pitches.
• Ashton Agar has arguably been Australia’s most consistent performer in T20Is since the start of 2020. He has taken 21 scalps in his last 10 matches, including two five-fors and eight in his last two matches.
• Kane Richardson has seven wickets in four matches this series, only behind Sodhi and Agar.

Stats and Facts

• The team batting first has won all four games in this series so far.
• Spinners took 10 of the 16 wickets to fall in the third T20I.
• Martin Guptill has the most runs in AUS-NZ T20Is (11 inns, 364 runs, avg. 33.09, SR 151.66). Also, he has the most runs of any player on this ground (12 inns, 382 runs, avg. 34.72, SR 126.91).

Possible Playing 11

New Zealand’s batting has failed in the past two matches, so it will be interesting to see if they stick with the same combinations.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Tim Seifert (wk), 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Devon Conway, 5. Glenn Phillips, 6. Jimmy Neesham, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Kyle Jamieson, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Trent Boult

Australia will have to choose between a strong desire to win this series or the chance to give some of their bench players some game time. The likes of AJ Tye and Jason Behrendhorff are waiting for a chance.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Matthew Wade (wk), 3. Josh Philippe, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Mitchell Marsh, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Jhye Richardson, 9. Kane Richardson, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Riley Meredith

Sky Stadium Wellington Pitch Report and Weather

With the NZ vs England women’s matches also taking place on the same pitch, it has seen the surface edge closer towards the slower side. It was tough for batsmen to get going in the fourth T20I, with Finch’s time at the crease proving crucial.

The chasing side has reigned supreme. As this is a day game, expect the captain who wins the toss to bat first. There is a chance of morning showers and then more throughout the afternoon in this 12pm start local Wellington time.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Team batting first to win again? A score in the region of 160-170 could be a tough chase on what’s been a tacky surface so far in this series.

Thanks for reading!