Preview
Group A Match
Australia versus New Zealand
Vidarba Cricket Association Stadium Jamtha, Nagpur
Start Time: 09:30 am (IST)
Nagpur readies itself for Trans-Tasmanian rivalry with New Zealand taking on Australia in a group A world cup game on Friday. With tournament as big as world cup, players in both sides will know that rivalry part of it gets superseded and high profile encounter should have hard fought cricket match in store for the fans.
Build up to the game for the both teams hasn’t been pleasing to say the least thanks to off-field happenings, nature of the them for the sides different though.
New Zealand woke up on Tuesday to the news that Christchurch has been hit by high intensity earthquake leaving many dead and Kiwi squad camping in Nagpur worried.
For Australia, it has been their skipper headline who has been hogging the headlines for all the wrong reasons breaking a LCD TV after getting run-out against Zimbabwe at Ahmadabad.
On performance front on field, both teams have started their world cup campaign with a bang. While Kiwi rolled past feeble Kenya, Aussie pacers were too hot to handle for Zimbabwean batting making both encounters one-sided affairs.
But, in their heart of hearts, both sides know good performances have come against a weaker opponent and real test starts against tougher and top team. Friday’s game offers that.
Nagpur pitch during England-Netherlands game was a good one for batting with some bounce in it. Another run-fest is on cards.
Australia
Shane Watson continued with his run making ways by scoring a half-century against Zimbabwe but form of his partner, Brad Haddin is a concern. He looked woefully out of sorts against Zimbabwe.
Ponting is looking good with two half-centuries to his name in practice games followed up with a good knock before getting run-out against Zimbabwe. He would like to send a strong statement to opposite teams by putting up a good batting performance.
With his ability to play spin well, Michael Clarke will be crucial against Kiwis with Vettori and Nathan Mcullum in their bowling ranks.
The Aussie lower middle order is strong enough to supplement some runs late in the innings.
Pace bowling department looked in red-hot form against with Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson bowling with searing pace and Nagpur pitch should offer them some help.
Australia, however, will want its number one spinner Jason Krejza to give them control and take wickets in the middle phase of the innings.
Squad: Ricky Ponting (Capt), Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Callum Ferguson, David Hussey, Cameron White, Tim Paine (wk), Steven Smith, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Doug Bollinger
Coach: Tim Neilson
New Zealand
Kiwis looked a focused unit against Kenya with bowlers, Hamish Bennet, in particular, making an impression with his aggressive spell of fast bowling that blew Kenyan batsmen away.
New Zealand seek consistency from their batting line-up that hasn’t been able to string good scores consistently and Australian strong line-up will be a tough examination to succeed in.
Martin Guptil is a player in good form after scoring big in practice games and looked same in the first game against Zimbabwe and alongwith dangerous Brendon Mcullum will hold the key to New Zealand fortunes.
Middle order having dashing Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, New Zealand’s best batsmen and Scott Styris will have to bring his A game into play against Aussies and lot will rest on the power house lower order batsmen like Big Jacob Oram who has come back as a bowler in form and a batsman searching for some time in the middle.
Kiwi bowlers displayed a terrific performance against Kenya and they would want to continue with the disciplines of Sunday encounter.
Hamish Bennet has added up to his stakes and with Southee would want to get wickets upfront to put pressure on formidable Australian batting line-up.
Onus, however, will be on Kiwi spin department having world’s best left arm spinner in World, Vettori in the ranks and batting against spin, off late, has been Australian weakness. It is where Kiwis score over Australian and certainly would like their spinners in good form to derail Aussies.
Squad: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Ross Taylor (Vice Captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (Wicket Keeper), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.
Coach: John Wright
© eContent.in
