Almost after 2 long years, the Trans-Tasman rivals are going to lock horns in an ICC event on June 2 in Edgbaston in the second game of the Champion Trophy 2017. After the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015, final, Australia and New Zealand played each other twice in two different series where both have won one game each. And today, the two-time winners of this title, who are one of the in-form teams in this tournament, are all set to take on the Kiwis who already had lost their practice game to India.
The Aussie Arena
The Aussies were looking much confident and prepared ahead of their first game as they played terrifically in their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka. However, the second game against Pakistan due to rain. But the in both the games, Aussie batsmen left a strong impact on this tournament. Aaron Finch smashed a magnificent century against Sri Lanka while Travis Head played a crucial inning which led them to victory.
Apart from Finch and Head, the entire batting line-up is studded with marvellous players who could create a big difference with their bats. The list starts from David Warner and then goes with Chris Lynn, Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell and Skipper Steven Smith. All these batsmen are currently in best of their forms especially, Warner who ended up as the highest run-getter in the recently concluded 1oth season of the Indian Premier League.
Similarly, the next name on the cards is Chris Lynn whose monstrous batting devastated the opponents whenever he batted for the Kolkata Knight Riders or Brisbane Heat.
As far as the bowling department is concerned, it is for the first time that all four speedy firepowers—Mitchell Starc, Patt Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson—are available with the team for a series. And being on the English soil where the track favours the pace bowlers, there four can tear any batting order apart.
The Kiwi Dressing Room
On the other hand, New Zealand’s team composition looked struggling against India in the first warm-up game but they were back massively against Sri Lanka in the second practice game where Matin Guptill throttled the opponents with his swashbuckling century. Also, the Kiwi batting line-up includes some more big power hitters like Luke Ronchi, Tom Latham, Neil Broom, Ross Taylor and skipper Kane Williamson.
The bowling faction includes the duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult who are globally known for causing the lethal damage through their pace and swings. These two will be backed by Adam Milne, Mitchell Mclenaghen and all-rounder Corey Anderson while the spin brigade includes Mitchell Santner, Jeetan Patel and Jimmy Neesham.
Final Word
On paper, the Kangaroos look much quicker, wittier and sharper than the Kiwis and the as we witnessed in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 finals, Australia knows how to put pressure on their neighbours. If we scroll down the history of Trans-Tasman face-offs in Champions Trophy, both the teams have played 4 games so far and all four games have been won by Australia including 2009 final.
But, New Zealand has that instinct which can turn the game upside down and that too so cleverly that the opponent didn’t get a clue that what just happened!
Squad
Australia
David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Chris Lynn, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, John Hastings, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques
New Zealand
Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Neil Broom, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner
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