New Zealand unveil retro jersey for Australia ODI series

Almost two decades after New Zealand players donned their famous teal kit, the current players wore it once again in Sydney ahead of the ODI series against Australia. On Tuesday, fast bowlers Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Tim Southee displayed the retro kit, complete with red numbers. The series between the two sides get underway at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

The retro kit for the upcoming series and the subsequent T20I series at home was decided by a fan vote. Australia will also don a retro kit after a fan vote. The hosts will wear the bright yellow uniform featuring shooting stars that the Steve Waugh-led side wore during the triumphant campaign at the 1999 World Cup in England.

The teal jersey holds a happy memory for New Zealand cricket. It was the jersey that was used when New Zealand won their first and only ICC tournament so far which came at the ICC Knockout Trophy in Kenya in 2000. New Zealand switched to a completely black strip for the 2003 World Cup and have used the same colour since then.

Photo time in Sydney and a first chance for the players to check out their fresh teal shirts 📷👕#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/e7qMYHmog1

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 9, 2020

New Zealand jersey is so cool! pic.twitter.com/7uPitNB8rH

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) March 10, 2020

New Zealand eye redemption

New Zealand will be hoping that the teal jersey changes their fortunes in Australia. Last time they were in Australia in December-January, they were thrashed 0-3 in the Test series. Australia thoroughly outplayed the Kane Williamson-led side to register an emphatic series win. The Black Caps will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming series.

New Zealand have never won an ODI series on the Australian soil and would be fancying their chances this time. Both the teams are entering the series on the back of contrasting results in their previous ODI assignment. While New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0, Australia suffered a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of South Africa.

New Zealand also have a full-strength squad at their disposal unlike the Test series when they missed a number of key players due to injuries and illness. The likes of Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry are all back after suffering injuries during the Test series.