New Zealand vs. Australia, 2nd ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

Australia must improve—and dramatically—if they are to hit back in the second one-day international of the series against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Black Caps won on home soil by the small matter of 159 runs in the opener at Eden Park, Auckland. A similar result at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington would see them seal the series with a game to spare.

Worryingly for Australia, they have now lost six limited-overs matches on the spin.

They were beaten in the final ODI against India on home soil (although they won the series 4-1) before being swept by the same opponents in three Twenty20 fixtures. 

Date: Saturday, Feb. 6

Time: 2 p.m. local (1 a.m. GMT)

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

Live Stream and TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), Sky Sport (New Zealand), TenSports (Pakistan), Fox Sports (Australia), Neo Cricket/Star Sports (India), Ten Sports (UAE), NowTV (subscription required).

Weather: According to AccuWeather.com, it will be cloudy but breezy for the day-night fixture in Wellington. Thankfully, though, there is no chance of any rain during proceedings.

Overview

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The series between New Zealand and Australia pits the top two nations in the ICC rankings against each other. If the first match is anything to go by, however, it will be less of a battle and more like a walkover.

The tourists were not just beaten at Eden Park, they were blitzed.

A target of 308 seemed well within the capabilities of Australia's powerful batting lineup, despite the absence of opener Aaron Finch through injury.

However, they contrived to lose five wickets for seven runs inside the initial 10-over powerplay as they were bowled out for 148 in 24.2 overs. According to statistician Bharath Seervi of ESPN Cricinfo, it was the shortest all-out innings (146 balls) in their one-day history.

It also happened to occur at a ground where they were bowled out in 32.2 overs by the same opponents during the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

As if the heavy defeat wasn't bad enough, injury was added to insult when it was confirmed James Faulkner suffered a hamstring problem while fielding.

Andrew Ramsey, writing for Cricket Australia's official website, confirmed the all-rounder would miss the rest of the series. Marcus Stoinis has been called up as his replacement.

The concern for Australia is not the 50-over series in New Zealand, but the fitness of both Faulkner and Finch—who suffered a hamstring injury in the second Twenty20 game against India in Melbourne—ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in March.

The tourists announced on Friday that Usman Khawaja will play in Wellington. As journalist Elizabeth Ammon pointed out on Twitter, it was a surprise to most that the left-hander wasn't picked in Auckland:

Khawaja's recall comes at the expense of Shaun Marsh at the top of the order, according to Dave Middleton of Cricket Australia's website. The same article also reveals leg-spinner Adam Zampa will make his international debut at the Westpac Stadium.

New Zealand's main concern, if you can even call it that, is working out how to pull off a repeat performance in Wellington.

MICHAEL BRADLEY/Getty Images

They were excellent in Auckland, although there are still areas to work on. The Kiwis didn't quite make the most of Martin Guptill's knock of 90 at the top of the order, slipping from 205 for three in the 30th over to a final total of 307 for eight.

Henry Nicholls did weigh in with 61 for the hosts. The young batsman has now made two half-centuries in his last three trips to the middle in international cricket.

However, the 24-year-old understands the Kiwis cannot get carried away by the margin of victory on Wednesday, per AAP (h/t Stuff.co.nz): "It was one of the days that we really hit our straps with the ball, the way we came out and got those early wickets.

"But it's a fickle game, cricket, it can turn pretty quickly."

New Zealand should be wary of an opposing side who will be boosted by the return of their coach. Per ESPN Cricinfo, Darren Lehmann has been cleared to travel overseas, despite being diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis.

ODI form (most recent first)

New Zealand: WWNWWN

Australia: LLWWWW

Key Players

New Zealand

Guptill's brilliant batting at the top of the New Zealand order in the first ODI ended up being overshadowed by the performance of his team-mates with the ball.

The right-hander will happy for history to be repeated at the Westpac Stadium, a venue that holds special memories for him. Guptill blasted West Indies' attack for an unbeaten 237 at the ground in the last World Cup.

He averages 61.33 in one-day cricket at the Cake Tin, the nickname for the multi-purpose stadium that is also home to Super Rugby franchise the Hurricanes.

Australia

Marsh's role in the side takes on even greater importance now fellow all-rounder Faulkner is missing from the XI.

The 24-year-old ended the series against India with a maiden ODI century in Sydney, Australia. However, with the ball, the right-arm seamer has yet to bowl his full complement of 10 overs in 28 appearances.

Australia need more from the younger Marsh, particularly as he is now the senior bowler in the attack. The three front-line seamers selected in the opening game—John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood and Kane Richardson—have a grand total of 48 ODI caps between them.

Squads

New Zealand

Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (cover).

Australia

Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa.