Australia vs New Zealand preview
Posted on | April 20, 2007 | 1 Comment
Australia take on trans Tasman rivals New Zealand in their final super eight game at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The Aussies are the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far, and their winning streak now is an unbelievable 26 games, right from the 1999 semifinal tie against South Africa. The way they have gone about their job in the Carribean means that they are again prime favourites to make it three in a row. Australia will however remember the 3-0 whitewash New Zealand inflicted upon them in New Zealand before coming to the Carribean and they will be keen to atone for that. Shane Watson is expected to return to the squad, and it will most probably be Brad Hodge who will make way for him. The Australian batting has been in excellent form- Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke are in excellent touch. Their bowling has been brilliant as well, and you can be sure of a pace battle between Shaun Tait and Shane Bond.
New Zealand have performed above expectations in this tournament. They are also the only team that can occupy top spot in the super eight table. To usurp that spot from Australia will need a massive effort, and if they do manage to pull it off, they will book a semifinal against South Africa. In the event that they lose, or do not win by a large enough margin, they will play Sri Lanka. The main factor for the Kiwis is the momentum, and Fleming’s men are certainly on a roll. Jacob Oram is out of this clash with a heel injury, and the balance the big man lent to the lineup will be slightly disturbed. Michael Mason and Mark Gillespie might get a game, but that will mean that Patel sits out. Scott Styris and Fleming will be the mainstays for the batting.
Bond is a key factor in this game. He wrecked Australia with a splending bowling performance in 2003, but the rest of the bowlers were unable to support him and Australia escaped thanks to Bevan and Lee. Neither of the two will play at the Kensington Oval in this game. Australia are favourites though, and I’d expect them to end their super eight on a winning note
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One Response to “Australia vs New Zealand preview”
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April 20th, 2007 @ 7:19 AM
Hey, liked your preview of this game.
Interesting point that this is a bit of a ‘dead rubber’. Personally I think the WC has dragged on a little. Either way, I can’t see Australia taking this game lightly enough for New Zealand to be any value through a betting proposition. That said – not enough for Australia to play for to make them one either.
Sit back and enjoy!