World Cup 2015 Group A Match 20 Australia v New Zealand Preview; Exciting clash of Host nations

World Cup 2015 Group A Match 20 Australia v New Zealand Preview; Exciting clash of Host nations:

Date: 28 Feb 2015          Time: 0630 IST
Venue: Auckland

The two host nations of this World Cup Australia and New Zealand will clash together in a high voltage encounter in Auckland on Saturday.  Both the teams are in top form with big wins under their belt and are looking forward to finish number 1 or 2 in their group. Here is the preview to that upcoming exciting match.

Australia

Australia had their last match against Bangladesh rained out and had to share a point with them, where they could have easily got all the 3 points needed. They have not played any game since the first day of the tournament and would be itching to get back into the ground. They will have their work cut out against an in form New Zealand who has beaten all their opponents comfortably.

Australia’s batting looked in good touch in the first game where they trounced England. Their batsmen are in good form with Aaron Finch making a century and Mitchell Marsh and Glen Maxwell contributing in the win. Both made half centuries in Australian innings and Mitchell Marsh took 5 wickets in his demolition of English middle order.

The bowling was spot on, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc destroyed the English top order leaving them 92/6. Marsh picked up 5 wickets with the other 2 Mitchells Starc and Johnson taking 2 each to bury England in their own misery. Australia might look to give a chance to Smith or Watson more time in the middle in such a crucial game. They have Tim Southee and Kyle Mills to deal with, not mentioning the experienced Daniel Vettori to dazzle them with their spin.

New Zealand

New Zealand has been the team to watch out for in this World Cup. They came in with great form and have tripled that form in this competition. They won comprehensively against Sri Lanka and then went on to humiliated England.

They have all of their batsmen in form especially Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson with Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi providing invaluable support down the order. McCullum’s carnage against England can only be compared to what AB de Villiers is doing in ODIs recently. Kane Williamson will provide the anchoring role in the Kiwi side and he is more than capable to handle the Aussie bowling. The onus of a good start will lie on McCullum and Guptill so that they can neutralise the threat of Mitchells, Johnson and Starc.

Their bowing form is better with Tim Southee in good touch and getting good backup from Corey Anderson, Kyle Mills and

Last 5 ODIs:
AUS: NR W W NR W
NZ: W W W L W

Possible playing XI:
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (C), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi (WK), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson

Australia:  Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (C), Glen Maxwell, Brad Haddin (WK), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty