Australia recall Khawaja in bid to save series

WELLINGTON: In-form batsman Usman Khawaja has been recalled to the Australian side as the world champions fight to stay alive in their one day international series against New Zealand on Saturday.

Victory for New Zealand at their Westpac Stadium fortress would see them wrap up the series with a game to spare and snap a remarkable run by Australia who have won their last six ODI series and the World Cup over the past two years.

Shaun Marsh was surprisingly preferred to Khawaja in the team thrashed by 159 runs in Auckland on Wednesday in the first tie of the three match series.

Australia have also brought in leg-spinner Adam Zampa for the second round in Wellington to replace injured quick James Faulkner.

Khawaja who has not played an ODI for three years but scored centuries in three consecutive Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies late last year said Australia have already put the ODI humiliation behind them.

The 29-year-old Pakistan born left hander also downplayed his golden run of form in Tests saying the ODIs in New Zealand conditions were a new challenge.

New Zealand have an air of confidence playing at Westpac where they have lost only eight of 26 ODIs and opener Martin Guptill smacked an unbeaten 237 in a World Cup fixture against the West Indies a year ago. Guptill hit 11 sixes and 24 fours in that innings and remains in rich form with a top

The Australians came in for a lot of abuse from a partisan crowd in Auckland with several spectators ejected from the ground.

The third and final ODI will be played in Hamilton on Monday. (APP/AFP)