Australia will face New Zealand in the second ODI of the series at Auckland. The first ODI was won by New Zealand by a narrow margin of two wickets, a game which was played in a very ill-tempered manner.
Australia would have been jolted back from their reverie, something that has already seen them lose one T20I and an ODI β both narrowly. In both the games, the Australian bowlers were heavily taken toll of, and in both the games, their batsmen has failed to convert their starts into something big. 
Of course, two losses after having won a string of games, is never a cause for panic. But Ponting would know that the Kiwis are a rather strong opponent, and at home can really bite hard. One does not think that the losses, calls for any major changes to the side as this has also been the playing XI that has won most of the games for the Australian side.
From the Kiwi perspective, they would love to keep up their momentum, but would be worried with the loss of Jacob Oram from the side. Oramβs knee injury may rule him out of the entire series, while the other injured player is their captain Daniel Vettori, who is currently 50-50 to play the match.
Apart from the pair, the Kiwis will be excited about the form of Scot Styris, and the kind of depth that adds to the line-up. I still feel that James Franklin is batting a tad higher than he should be, but then, it is also a matter of how comfortable the Kiwis feel.
Australia will go into the game as favourites despite the setbacks β 4/9 at William Hill β but New Zealand is doing the catching up well and are at 2/1 (Bet365) to win the game.