High-flying New Zealand will have their tails up and eye another upset when they resume the trans-Tasman rivalry with a strong Australian side in the ICC World Twenty20 here on Friday.
Both sides are seeking a maiden triumph in this global event.
New Zealand are on a high having shocked tournament favourites and hosts India in their campaign opener.
Their batsmen may have found the going difficult in the first match but the bowlers brought them right into the game. The spin-trio of Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Nathan McCullum shared nine wickets among them to comfortably defend a low total of 126.
If the pitch at HPCA offers turn, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson, who made a bold decision by dropping pace duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult against India, will continue with same spin trio.
However, Australia have always been an indomitable side, especially in big events like the World Cup, and they too will fancy their chances on Friday.
Australia and New Zealand have only met four times since the inaugural international T20 match between them in 2005 and have never played each other outside Australasia. New Zealand won their last encounter back in 2010 in a Super Over but Australia have been winners on every other occasion.
Australia have played just seven T20 internationals since the start of 2015 and they come into the game having done a lot tinkering with their line-up.
Australia are still looking to find their best final XI after chopping and changing during the recent T20I series versus India and South Africa.
Given their IPl experience, it would not be surprising to see the Australian batsmen dominating the show. The top four could comprise Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith and David Warner. The big-hitting Glenn Maxwell and Marsh are game changers in their own right. So New Zealand will have their task cut out.
As far as New Zealand batting is concerned, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson will be the key players and they also have the experience of playing in the sub-continent.
Having failed to impress after getting out to rash shots in the opener, Guptill and Munro would also be looking to make amends.
SQUAD
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santer, Nathan McCullum, Grant Elliott, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Corey Anderson.
Australia: Steven Smith (C), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa.