Chappell-Hadlee trophy at the World Cup

Australia and New Zealand have made the unusual decision to compete for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy during their World Cup match in Nagpur on Friday. Previously, the prize has only ever been up for grabs during bilateral series, always of at least three games, but this was the only chance for the teams to meet during the 2010-11 season.

The New Zealanders should be happy with the move, as they have beaten Australia in nine of 21 Chappell-Hadlee matches, but have lost all 12 of the other ODIs the teams have played during the same period. The trophy has been contested every season since it began in 2004-05, and is currently held by Australia after they won 3-2 in New Zealand last March.

There was already plenty to play for in Friday's match, with both teams pushing to finish as high as they can in their World Cup group, in the hope of meeting a weaker quarter-finalist. Ian Chappell and Dayle Hadlee will both be in Nagpur for the clash, so both families honoured by the prize will be represented when the trophy is handed to the winning captain.

"The trans-Tasman rivalry is revered by New Zealand fans and we are pleased the Black Caps get the chance to compete for the trophy this season," New Zealand Cricket's chief executive Justin Vaughan said. "This is a truly unique occasion with the two sides unlikely to compete for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy in India again."

Cricket Australia's chief executive, James Sutherland, said: "I'm delighted the teams will have a chance to compete for this great trophy, which underpins the trans-Tasman rivalry in the one-day game. There is plenty at stake in this game."

New Zealand have not won the trophy since 2006-07, when Michael Hussey captained a weakened Australian side in the lead-up to the 2007 World Cup and went down 3-0. However, the sides shared the honours in 2008-09 when they drew 2-2 in Australia, before Ricky Ponting's men narrowly got home last year.