Chappell-Hadlee series fires up again

It’s produced it’s fair share of thrilling matches.

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020

And – after a prolonged hiatus – the Chappell-Hadlee series is finally back.

In his own, understated style, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was excited to resume the trans-Tasman rivalry in the one-day format.

“It’s always a great occasion to play against Australia, and for it to be the Chappell-Hadlee provides a little bit of extra context.

“I suppose things have been moved around a bit due to Covid, so it’s nice to fit a series like this in against one of the best teams in the world.”

But doing just that hasn’t always been easy.

The last attempt to play the series – named after legendary cricketing names from either side of the Tasman – in early 2020 was cut short after one match by the start of the Covid pandemic.

That made it five-and-a-half years since the series was last completed, with the Black Caps completing a 2-0 win on home soil back in 2017.

Australian skipper Aaron Finch said the rivalry often produces entertaining contests.

“They’re world class. Regardless of whether you’re playing them at a World Cup or in any bilateral series.

“They’re a fantastic unit, they have been for long time and they continue to be one of the benchmarks in world cricket in all three formats of the game.

“They’re lead wonderfully well by Kane, and the fact that they’re world number one in ODI cricket is a testament to that.”

Black Caps win Chappell-Hadlee trophy 2016.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The respect was mutual.

Even if New Zealand were fresh off a pair of series wins in the West Indies and Australia were coming off a shock loss to Zimbabwe in the third and final match of their ODI series in Townsville.

Williamson, who was fit to play after missing the team’s last two matches in the Caribbean, said playing Australia in Australia always represented a tall task.

“They’re always a very strong team. In terms of the quality of that they have in their side but also conditions and how clinical they are in those conditions.

“A lot of sides all around the world are more familiar in their own backyard and certainly over here they’re a formidable side.”

But the Black Caps wouldn’t be lacking motivation to overcome that challenge.

Not only could they retain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, success would take them one step closer to qualification for next year’s World Cup in India – with the series part of the ICC’s new Super League format.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson said neither team would want to give an inch.

“You see how competitive those guys are on and off the field, on a few rounds of golf. The Aussies, when they put the yellow jersey on, they tend to lift to another level. We have to do the exact same wearing our black jersey.”

The first ball in Tuesday’s first Chappell-Hadlee match in Cairns was set to be bowled at 4.20pm New Zealand time.