Spin, rain loom for Trans-Tasman duel

The overview

While Australia are yet to put the key in the ignition this tournament, New Zealand are flying in fifth gear.

The Black Caps made a huge statement in their opening clash against tournament heavyweights India, humbling the hosts at their own game with an all-out spin assault that left MS Dhoni's men bamboozled and soundly beaten.

Image Id: ~/media/38A102996B7C447DA74D8A7E2CD86713 Image Caption: The Kiwis out-spun India in Nagpur // Getty

Australia watched all this unfold in their northern perch in Dharamshala – home of Friday's match – and will now likely mimic their trans-Tasman rivals in the spin department, even though the curator says speed is the key.

While every match is a must-win encounter, the fixture means more to Australia than it does New Zealand. With one win already under their belt, the Black Caps need to realistically win only two more matches to qualify for the semi-finals.

Australia, on the other hand, are working with a clean slate, so a first-up win is crucial to avoid three sudden death matches on the trot.

But, and there's always a but, rain could have the major say in Friday's match if the weather forecast stays true.

Dharamshala was pelted with rain on Thursday, and more is predicted on match day, meaning the points could be spilt.

What that means in the overall context of Group 2, well, it probably means sudden death for the Aussies from there on out.

Not ideal for Steve Smith's charges.

The teams

New Zealand made a gutsy call to drop twin spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee for Tuesday's clash against India, and after the dividends the bold move paid, it would be hard to see them changing tact.

That said, if rain does cause havoc and reduces the match to a five-over per side shoot out, one of those quicks might get a run to capitalise on the new-ball swing.

Australia will likely go in with three spinners, meaning Ashton Agar gets a call-up, while Mitchell Marsh might be the one to miss out, as Test paceman Peter Siddle suggested on Optus Sports' The Unplayable Podcast.

Quick Single: Aussie allrounders do battle for finisher role

If it's a full Twenty20, Usman Khawaja could get a run to counter the Black Caps spin attack, but if the match is reduced and an old fashioned slog-fest is in order, expect Aaron Finch to take his place at the top of the order, Marsh return and Australia back their fire power with the bat.

Possible NZ 20-over team: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi

Possible NZ 5-over team: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Trent Boult, Adam Milne

Possible Aus 20-over team: Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Ashton Agar, Peter Nevill, Nathan Coulter-Nile, John Hastings, Adam Zampa

Possible Aus 5-over team: Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Steve Smith (c), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, John Hastings, Peter Nevill

The contest

It's all about spin. Aaron Finch conceded in South Africa that Australia has not performed well against the turning ball and that opposition teams will target them in that area.

While Nagpur is the only pitch to spin dramatically so far in the Super10 phase, the games in the qualifying stage at Dharamshala saw heavy turn.

It's a huge test for the Australians, but if India can struggle against spin, who's to say the men in black won't be able to succeed?

The history

It's grim reading for the Black Caps in global limited-overs tournaments against Australia.

Quick Single: Aussies to remind NZ of Cup dominance

In 14 matches, Australia lead 11-3 – the most recent clash being last year's Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne where Australia won by seven wickets.

But it's been six years since the two sides met in a Twenty20, and with only a handful of players in each squad remaining, there's an air of the unknown surrounding this clash.

The forecast

Image Id: ~/media/C7B10489B6B04F24A88993B75359EEAF Image Caption: The ground at Dharamshala under covers on Thursday // Getty

Bad. Thunderstorms and a top of 15 degrees Celsius, with precipitation at 80% and humidity 82%. Most of the rain is predicted to fall in the morning, which means we could get a game at some stage.

How to watch

Watch the broadcast live and free on Channel Nine's Wide World of Sport from 8pm AEDT (check local guides) and Fox Sports.

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