KEY POINTS:
It's a pretty simple formula when it comes to one-day international cricket - the team that scores the most runs wins.
Of course, this assumes Messrs Duckworth and Lewis don't get involved. Because of this, batting failures are magnified and often carry an unfair weighting in terms of
accountability.
This Chappell-Hadlee series, however, will be won by the bowling attack and the man in charge of steering that bowling. He who shows the most control and craft in restricting their batting adversaries will win.
Both Australia and New Zealand have capable batting outfits. At full strength, Australia has a world-class top six and, if all guns are firing, New Zealand has a top order with world-class potential.
However, both teams have shown they have trouble defending their runs or holding a team to a small first-innings total.
The first sign of cracking in the previously watertight Australian line-up came two Chappell-Hadlees ago when they were unable to defend massive totals well in excess of 300. While New Zealand has been chasing down some good totals of late, they have had to because they have conceded large totals.
In their warm-up game they were unable to defend 270 against an invitational Australian XI who, in times of Australia cricket weakness, should not have troubled them.
Both bowling attacks have holes and are searching for combinations they are happy with and who cover all the various roles within their 50 overs in the field.
New Zealand may have the upper hand here, given they have two world-class ODI bowlers, Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills, and Australia only have Nathan Bracken.
Assuming these bowlers continue in their usual vein, then the contest becomes what Australia's batting can do in the 30 overs from a combination of Ian O'Brien, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Grant Elliot, Brendon Diamanti or Trent Boult.
Conversely, what can New Zealand's batsmen do with Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, James Hopes, Ben Hilfhenhaus, Cameron White and Nathan Hauritz?
If there was an advantage in the so-called bowling risks then it may be that Tait is a genuine strike bowler and thus Australia have wicket-taking potential early on. On the other hand, New Zealand have more diversity with Patel and Diamanti.
While Ricky Ponting may bemoan the failings of his middle order, he will also be far from confident with the bowlers he has at his disposal. Vettori has made it very clear he is unhappy with his resources too.
However, the attacks are what they are and thus somehow each captain has to show initiative, courage and a heck of a lot of leadership in the way they use their resources.
With the fear of sounding a little harsh, it may all come down to each captain's ability to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.
