Labuschagne returns as Aussies bowl first

Australia have gone for a batter-heavy line-up for the opening match of the Dettol ODI Series against New Zealand in Cairns, recalling Marnus Labuschagne in place of Ashton Agar. 

The Aussies were bundled out for 141 against Zimbabwe in Townsville on Saturday with only two batters, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, making double figures. 

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

It means Labuschagne returns, who despite featuring in all of the eight ODIs Australia played in Pakistan and then Sri Lanka, was left out of the entire Zimbabwe series as the home side looked to add more bowling options to the line up. 

He returns to the middle order with allrounder Cameron Green slipping back down the order to No.8. 

The Kiwis have made two changes from their most recent one-dayer, a five-wicket win over West Indies in Barbados two weeks ago. 

Captain Kane Williamson returns to the XI in place of Finn Allen and quick Matt Henry is preferred to Tim Southee. 

The 2020 edition of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy was cut short due to the COVID pandemic, but Australia are the current holders of the silverware after their 71-run win in front of nobody at the SCG. 

New Zealand hold the top spot in the ICC Men's ODI rankings with Australia further back in fifth spot, and Aussie captain Aaron Finch said he was expecting the full-strength Kiwis to provide a serious challenge for his side. 

"They're a fantastic unit, they have been for a long time," Finch told reporters in Cairns on Monday.

"They continue to be one of the benchmarks in world cricket in all three formats of the game and the fact that they're No.1 in ODI cricket at the moment is testament to that."

"They're always close battles regardless of what format."

Men's Dettol ODI Series v New Zealand

Tuesday, Sep 6: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Thursday, Sep 8: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Sunday Sep 11: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Australia squad: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

New Zealand squad: Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson (c)

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