ICC World Cup 2019: Match 37, New Zealand vs Australia, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Outside New Zealand, the Kiwis have beaten the Aussies only once back in 1999 in Cardiff.

Published - 28 Jun 2019, 16:09 IST | Updated - 28 Jun 2019, 16:09 IST

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After India, Australia has by far looked the most dangerous team of the 2019 edition of the World Cup. After thrashing England by 64 runs at the Lord’s, Aaron Finch & Co became the first side to make its way through to the semi-final of the mega event. Being the defending champions and knowing how not to crumble under pressure, Australia has marched ahead. Their next match is against New Zealand at Lord’s itself.

For the Kiwis, their unbeaten run in the extravaganza came to end after Pakistan handed them a six-wicket defeat at Edgbaston in Birmingham. With 11 points in their kitty, one victory would take them to the semis, but overhauling the Aussies won’t be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. In World Cup cricket, New Zealand has got over their opponent thrice in 10 matches, two of which came at home in 1992 and 2015.

Weather Report

There is no chance of rain for tomorrow’s game at the Home of Cricket. The Kiwis will be praying for rain to stay away as they are yet to book a berth in the semi-finals. The sun will be shining brightly throughout the day and minimum clouds will be there. The atmosphere will be on the hotter side with the temperature around 31 degrees Celsius. The humidity will be around 60 per cent mark.

Pitch Report

Out of the two matches played thus far at the Lord’s in the World Cup, both went in favour of the team, batting first. Australia and Pakistan defended the targets pretty comfortably. Hence, it won’t be a surprise, if both the teams opt to bat after winning the toss. Striking early with the new leather is going to be extremely important. It’s a day-night fixture and therefore, a high-scoring may be on the cards.

Playing Combinations

New Zealand

The Black Caps have persisted with Colin Munro despite him failing a number of times. It seems as if it’s a matter of time before they axe the southpaw and bring in Henry Nicholls. To add to their worry, Martin Guptill hasn’t got going and has looked out of sorts as well. For the last few matches, it’s become rather mandatory for Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to rescue their team from the precarious positions.

Tom Latham has looked hapless in the middle after the layoff. The relieving aspect for the Kiwis will be Colin de Grandhomme and James Neesham’s form with the bat. In the bowling department, Lockie Ferguson has been the standout with 15 wickets. Matt Henry has gone wicketless in the last four matches and he may have to make away for leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Trent Boult has been economical but needs to make breakthroughs.

Probable XI

Martin Guptill, Colin Munro/Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry/Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Australia

Though they are already through, the Aussies may not make any changes and continue with their winning run. Aaron Finch and David Warner have looked at their very best throughout the tournament. Even as Warner has 500 runs, the Aussie skipper is four short of the milestone. They have complemented each other perfectly owing to which, their team has dominated every other team in the mega event, barring Virat Kohli’s India.

Steve Smith has also been scoring runs at a 40, 80 with three half-centuries. Glenn Maxwell has a strike rate of over 200 but needs to be a bit circumspect as well in his shot-making. Usman Khawaja has blown hot and cold as well. In the bowling lineup, the Aussies were looking for someone apart from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to pick up wickets. Luckily left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff picked his maiden ODI fifer in the last match.

Probable XI

Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff