New Zealand’s record against Australia in Australia in the last decade has been as gloomy as the Sydney weather, which threatens to spoil Saturday’s T20 World Cup opener between the Trans-Tasman rivals.

Why? Because the Black Caps haven’t beaten the Aussies in their home since 2011. Such a startling piece of statistics will weigh heavy on the Super 12 match. Of course, if the heavens allow it in the first place.

Forecast of rainstorms in Sydney on Saturday has cast a shadow of uncertainty on the match. But if play is possible, even a curtailed one, it should be an entertaining affair as it would be a re-run of last year’s T20 World Cup final, which the Aussies had won.

The possibility of rain is influencing the final XI thoughts in both camps.

Australia skipper Aaron Finch confirmed that he would open the batting for the hosts and reigning champions and that all-rounder Cameron Green would not play after coming into the squad on Thursday as a replacement for the injured Josh Inglis. He would not divulge anything more.

Australia’s David Warner has been in good form. Getty Images

“If there is rain around and the game is shortened, that can dictate what you do with your team,” he told reporters on Friday.

“It’s about shuffling your batting, we’ve got some power all the way through our order so we feel we can map out how an opposition is going to use their resources.”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was taking a similar approach.

He confirmed that all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the only player in the squad unavailable because of his fractured finger, but wouldn’t speak on the team composition.

“We haven’t seen the pitch yet because it was covered all this (Friday) morning so we won’t confirm an XI yet because if it’s shortened, that’s likely to change.”

On paper, Australia do have more firepower than their neighbours. The class and form of David Warner, street-smartness of Glenn Maxwell and also a surprise element in Tim David — the Aussies look settled. Their bowling revolves around Josh Hazlewood’s consistency.

New Zealand will hope that they can surprise the hosts with either Finn Allen’s exploits at the top of the batting order or some deadly fast-bowling from Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.

No dearth of self-belief

The Black Caps are aware of their pathetic record in Australia. But captain Williamson put that down to the strength of their hosts in home conditions.

“It certainly doesn’t stop us from trying to do our best and win, regardless of what records are behind us,” he said.

“We’ve got a number of match-winners throughout and the team’s looking forward to the (competition).”

Finch too oozed confidence ahead of the match. “What we learned from the last World Cup is that if the team’s got real good belief, that goes a long way. We feel as though we’ve still got that belief,” he said.

Written with inputs from Reuters