BLACKCAPS bat last in Hobart

The BLACKCAPS will bat second as they open their Tri-Series campaign against Australia in Hobart.

The team sees several changes from the XI selected to face Sri Lanka in the washed-out fifth National Bank ODI against Sri Lanka at Hamilton.

Jeetan Patel comes into the side for Michael Mason, while Nathan Astle is likely to open, having missed the side’s last full game, the defeat to Sri Lanka at Eden Park.

Tasmanian Ben Hilfenhaus replaces Glenn McGrath for the world champions.

BLACKCAPS: SP Fleming (captain), NJ Astle, BB McCullum, RL Taylor, PG Fulton, CD McMillan, DL Vettori, JEC Franklin, SE Bond, MR Gillespie, JS Patel .

AUSTRALIA: RT Ponting (captain), AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, MJ Clarke, A Symonds, MEK Hussey, CL White, MG Johnson, NW Bracken, SR Clark, BW Hilfenhaus.