An upbeat Australia will look to maintain their winning momentum and extend their dominant record against New Zealand in the World Cup, when they face each other here on Saturday.
Australia bounced back from a poor start — defeats against hosts India and South Africa — with three wins on the trot, including a record 309-run thumping of the Netherlands in their last outing to sound warning bells to their opponents.
Entering a crucial phase in the tournament, the five-time champions are currently fourth in the table, one spot behind New Zealand after five games each. The Pat Cummins-led side would look to carry forward the momentum and strengthen their position in the top four.
Even though New Zealand have been one of the top teams in the competition, their ordinary bilateral ODI and World Cup record against Australia makes Cummins and Co the favourites.
With eight wins and three losses in 11 matches in World Cups so far and overall 95 wins and 39 losses in 141 ODIs, Australia have historically been the better team in the Trans-Tasman rivalry.
The fact that New Zealand’s last ODI win over Australia came six years ago in 2017 would also have a great bearing on the contest here, to be played at the picturesque HPCA Stadium. For Australia, apart from brushing aside the Dutch mercilessly, the biggest takeaway was that they produced a collective effort without any blips.
Australia’s 399 for 8 against the Netherlands is now the third highest total in this World Cup for any side, but they could have had another record had the batters not squandered a perfect platform against Pakistan.
David Warner’s (332 runs) two consecutive tons places hin among the top three run-getters in this World Cup, but Australia would look for more consistency from middle-order stars like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, whose brisk fifties against the Dutch have raised hopes of a complete revival.
Glenn Maxwell’s fastest century in the tournament’s history will do a world of good to the all-rounder’s confidence, since he is coming back from a long lay-off.
Mitchell Starc (7 wickets) has been a little wayward with his lines in the last two games, while Josh Hazlewood (6 wickets) too will look to tidy up things and so would captain Cummins (6 wickets). Adam Zampa has also been Australia’s go-to man in the bowling department.
On the other hand, New Zealand’s winning run ended when India handed them a four-wicket defeat here last Sunday, but they may still be confident with their style of play.
New Zealand will hope for better returns from Devon Conway (249 runs), who has gone quiet since his 152 not out against England in the tournament opener.
With Kane Williamson still recovering from a fractured thumb, Daryl Mitchell (268 runs) and Rachin Ravindra (290 runs) will have to share the responsibility in the middle-order.
In Williamson absence, wicket-keeper Tom Latham will continue to lead the side but he too would be concerned about his form.
Latham expects ‘a great game’
New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham expects Australia to be at their best when the old rivals meet in the World Cup in Dharamsala on Saturday, despite the record five-time champions making a stuttering start to their campaign.
The Australians have six points from five matches after three consecutive victories, including a demolition of the Netherlands last time out.
"They're obviously playing some fantastic cricket at the moment," Latham told reporters on Friday.
"They didn't probably start as well as they would have liked, but I think the form they've shown in probably the last three games is obviously the Australia that we know.
"They fight till the end pretty much every time and I guess every time we play each other it's always a challenge. They're a quality side, one of the best sides in the world for a reason and you certainly can't take them lightly."
Runners-up in 2019, New Zealand, third in the standings, have only lost to hosts India at the tournament.
"I think we've shown throughout this tournament that we've seen plenty of teams that on their given day can beat anyone," Latham said.
"And Australia are no different. So, we're expecting them to be at their best and hopefully we can play well as well and hopefully be a great game."
Reuters