Australia vs New Zealand 2016: 5 players to watch out for

The last time Australia and New Zealand played in a One Day International, New Zealand trumped Australia in their home-ground courtesy a blazing start by Brendon McCullum and a composed half-century by World Cup hero, Grant Elliott. The duo have retired now and New Zealand have a bunch of fresh faces in their ODI squad.

Australia is not without change either. They have lost the services of Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, all of whom have retired since the 2015 World Cup win. Their obsession for all-rounders in the mould of Watson has meant additional chances for the floundering Mitchell Marsh. It has also resulted in the call-up of Hilton Cartwright, yet to represent the Aussies in any format.

The home team are on the back of an embarrassing Test series loss to the Proteas, although a face-saving victory in the 3rd Test has raised hopes for Australia. In ODIs, Australia did not fare any better, losing 5-0 to South Africa in their home, their first whitewash loss in a five-match ODI series.

When New Zealand set foot on Australian shores, they will know they have Australia at their vulnerable best. However, they are not very confident themselves, with a new look outfit at their disposal. The series promises to be an enticing one despite the two teams being familiar foes.

Let us take a glance at five key players in the upcoming series.

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#5 Josh Hazlewood

The tall right-arm seamer was the pick of the Australian bowlers in the Test series against South Africa, plucking out crucial wickets with his line and length. He had South Africa's most experienced batsman, Hashim Amla, in a tangle. While Mitchell Starc steals the limelight with his fiery bowling, Hazlewood has been silently chipping away at the other end.

He had a decent series against the South Africans in the ODI series too, being the only bowler to get a measure of Quinton de Kock. New Zealand have a couple of dynamic batsmen at the top in Guptill and Taylor. Hazlewood has this unique ability to keep aggressive batsmen quiet and will be key in silencing Guptill.

The fast bowler has 39 wickets in 26 ODIs with a best of 5/31. He will surely add to that wicket tally in this series unless the Kiwis find a way to tackle Hazlewood.

#4 Kane Williamson

The New Zealand skipper has had an unusually quiet period of late, tied down by Ashwin in India and the after effects coming to the fore in the series against the visiting Pakistanis.

He will be New Zealand's anchor once again and on the fast, bouncy wickets in Australia, Williamson will be hard to stop. He has all the shots in his book and can take apart any opposition on his day. Touted as one among the four best batsmen in World Cricket these days, Williamson has the added responsibility of leading his troops.

Batting at no.3, Williamson may have to gel together the top order after the fall of an opener. Australia know Williamson can hurt after he smacked a six to win the game for Kiwis in the first round of the World Cup.

#3 David Warner

The sensational Australian opener is always in the thick of action and is personally on the back of two superb ODI series against Lanka, where he skippered and South Africa, where he played a lone hand in most games.

Warner will be expected to latch onto the New Zealand bowling. With all three ODIs on batting friendly wickets, Kiwis will be hard pressed to contain this dynamite. He will have Aaron Finch back to open alongside him and the duo form a real attacking option upfront for the Aussies.

Warner is 2016's highest run-scorer in ODIs with 1089 runs at an average of 57.31. He has hit as many as five hundreds this year and does not look like stopping there. Watch out, New Zealand!

#2 Colin de Grandhomme

The burly all-rounder was a revelation with the ball in the Test series against Pakistan when he took a six-wicket haul on debut. He was among the wickets right through the series, ending as the top wicket-taker.

Interestingly, bowling isn't his main trait. He is known in domestic circles for his hard hitting ability and has been given a chance in ODIs ahead of Anton Devcich. He showed his batting abilities with a quickfire knock in the Christchurch Test. This isn't going to be his debut though as he has played an ODI in 2012 against the Proteas.

He has 2031 runs in 99 matches List A matches and has 52 wickets. His recent bowling form suggests that he may get to bowl a lot more than he has been used in List A cricket. In the absence of Corey Anderson, Grandhomme will be tasked with the accelerator's role.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

The swashbuckling all-rounder is on yet another comeback trail and Australia will hope that Maxwell clicks. He was left out from the Tri-Series in West Indies and then for the ODIs against Lanka and South Africa but made a sensational 145* against the Lankans in a T20I after opening the innings.

That innings seems to have given him a chance in the ODI setup yet again. His recent comments about not being picked for the Adelaide Test and Wade batting above him for Victoria have not gone down well with coach Lehmann and some Victoria teammates. As such he may not get very many chances to prove himself if he does not click in this three-match series.

Maxwell will beef up a bleak looking lower order and his presence is bound to put pressure on Kiwi bowlers. He can take the sting out of any attack with his counter attacking and unpredictable batting style. His bowling could also be used lavishly even though Zampa, a specialist spinner, is selected.