Cohosts of World Cup 2015 and traditional rivals Australia and New Zealand will clash at Eden Park in less than two hours from now. New Zealand after three matches of the pool tops pool A with clean sheet. Australia had to share points with Bangladesh in rain out match. New Zealand at home is always a very difficult team to beat. But strong Australia now in great form is more than capable of breaking an end to Kiwis winning streak. But whatever happens this two equally matched teams will not make it easy for each other.
It is extremely difficult to choose one as favorite as in every position the players are comparable to each other. Aaron Flinch and David Warner can be equally destructive as Brendon McCullam and Guptil. Much will depend how McCullam plays Johnson and Starc and on the other hand how Warner encounters Southee and Boult? These contests are what world cricket is eagerly looking forward.
Australia has to drop their stop gap inform Captain George Bailey for Michael Clark returning from Rehab. Whether or not it will be a smart move will be interesting to observe. Australia has so much of firepower in their armory. Australia will almost surely keep faith on struggling all-rounder Shane Watson. George Bailey just cannot find space. Otherwise it will the more or less the same combination as start finisher James Faulkner still has not recovered from injury yet.
The match will not matter as far as teams progress to next round. But Australia being at a less advantageous position needs winning. If Australia finish behind New Zealand in the pool they may have to travel to New Zealand again for semifinals if both qualify
The Probable teams-
New Zealand 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Adam Milne, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult
Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Steven Smith, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Mitchell Marsh, 8 Brad Haddin (wk), 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins
Man to watch for the New Zealand in this match may be Ross Taylor. This talented batsman has not fired yet though his other mates are in great touch. Taylor in form can match Maxwell or AB de Villiers for sheer power play. A Taylor tale may be played at Eden Park today.
Much are being spoken about the Australia's top order. They are dynamic and fearsome but the batsmen remain vulnerable to swing. In Tim Southee and Trent Boult they will face two of the finest exponents in the current game, the former fresh from a record-breaking 7 for 33 against England. Warner will be keen, as ever, to stamp his authority on the match and Aaron Finch, whose first-class career has been blighted by issues against the moving ball, made the first hundred of the World Cup. Australia has appeared in only the first match on February 14 while New Zealand has already played three. This long layoff may be an issue. But these guys are professionals and are well aware of how to manage the things.
Australia may have edges over New Zealand in batting as they bat deep but New Zealand have better all round bowling attack . Inclusion of old fox Vittori has strenegthened Kiwi attack.
The dimensions of the ground have been much talked about in the days leading into the match. The scores, though, have not been unworldly high - last year there was a tie involving India where 314 was scored, but before that there had only been three 300-plus totals in 15 matches.
The weather forecast has improved over recent days, too, and it is now meant to be fine with a high of 27C, although heavy showers disrupted Australia's training on Friday.
Let us hope that the match is not weather interfered and World Cricket enjoys a Saturday special a possible dress rehearsal for semifinal.
BDST: 1117 HRS, FEB 28, 2015
