The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet it will be for the three matches....
Australia and New Zealand face-off in three one-day internationals. The series comes after the pair contested three Tests in December and January.
FIRST ODI: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (Friday, March 13, 2:30pm local time, 3:30am GMT)
SECOND ODI: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (Saturday, March 14, 10:30pm local time, 11:30pm GMT)
THIRD ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart (Friday, March 20, 2:30pm local time, 3:30am GMT)
It would be fair to say that Australia are very much for the taking upon their return home. They looked weary in South Africa, losing 3-0 to a side low on confidence, and things aren't about to get any easier.
It was a series of few positives. David Warner struggled. Mitchell Starc lacked rhythm. Steve Smith appeared human.
You had to really want to see the positives. Adam Zampa impressed in dispatches but he needs run behind him to exert control. Marnus Labuschagne went to his first ODI century but his was the only three-figure score made by the Aussies.
Coach Justin Langer is concerned over the physical state of his players, many of whom will jet off to the Indian Premier League after this series.
"They play so much cricket," he said ahead of the third ODI against South Africa.
"When you think about what they've done since we started the World Cup, they went straight from the IPL, which is almost a year ago, straight to the World Cup, straight to the Ashes, straight to what has been a golden summer for us until probably these last three one-dayers.
"We've got some weary boys. We know we've got six more games to play and then they've got to go again."
Marnus Labuschagne was one of the rare positives in South Africa
Meanwhile, former captain Michael Clarke has questioned the motivation behind the staging of the series in the Australian autumn, which he believes are "token games of cricket" made about money.
“Cricket season is finished," he explained. "What a great way to finish it with the women winning the World Cup as well.
“I’ll be very surprised if anybody turns up to watch those games.
“We’re playing way too much. We don’t need to. This can only be for money. I’m not even sure who’s making money from it. TV rights? How many people are tuning in?”
So, Australia return home to play their near-neighbours off the back of a wretched return to South Africa, individuals inside and outside the camp questioning why the series is taking place and players inevitably preoccupied with being fit enough to cash in a major payday at the IPL.
The cricket probably can't start soon enough.
Australia have named an unchanged squad from the South Africa matches for the visit of New Zealand.
That means Jhye Richardson, who is making his return from a shoulder problem, remains part of the group.
Glenn Maxwell continues to nurse a left elbow injury and was not considered. Zampa is the only front-line spinner selected again.
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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After a T20 series which the Kiwis couldn't wait to end, they sent India packing by whitewashing Virat Kohli's men in both the ODIs and the Test series.
They will look to repeat the trick, albeit it on the road, where they have never won a bilateral 50-over series.
Kane Williamson is boosted by the return of Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Trent Boult, all of whom will pose a threat on Australian pitches.
None of the trio have played an ODI since the World Cup final. Kyle Jamieson has been retained in the squad after impressing upon being unleashed against India in the ODIs and Tests.
Even if Australia appear less than enthused by the prospect of the series, New Zealand are using this as an opportunity to make some history.
Boult has rejected Clarke's comments regarding the matches as the team go in search of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
“Michael Clarke doesn’t sound too happy for some reason, I don’t know what’s got under his skin," said the left-armer. "I don’t know why the series is token. There’s a good trophy up for grabs between both teams and we can’t wait to hopefully lift it."
Aside from the cricket, both sides will wear retro kits voted for by fans for the series, with New Zealand's design having been drawn from the teal shirt of the late 90s.
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New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Kyle Jamieson has looked at home in international cricket
Comfortable temperatures are expected for the first ODI in Sydney, though the weather is due to change for the second match of the series in the same city 24 hours later.
In Hobart for the concluding match of the series the sun along with decent temperatures should return.
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
BT Sport 1 will be broadcasting the three-match series in the United Kingdom (Sky 413, Virgin 527).
In Australia, Fox Cricket and Channel Seven will broadcast the series in its entirety simultaneously alongside streaming service Kayo Sports.
Sky Sport 2 will be showing the ODIs in New Zealand, while for viewers in South Africa footage will be provided by Supersport Five.
Dafabet have installed Australia as favourites for the first ODI, with the bookmaker offering odds of 4/7. New Zealand meanwhile are 11/8.
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