The World Champions – Australia – in a quest to continue their dominance in ICC tournaments, will kick off their tournament with a game against their neighbouring country, New Zealand in England and Wales in the second game of the ‘Mini World Cup’. The finalists of 2009 edition of the same tournament, failed to qualify for the semis last time, which was a big blow. Both sides will look to deliver the first punch and kick off the tournament on a high.
Overview –
Australia – Containing likes of Steven Smith and David Warner along with Mitchell Starc plus Josh Hazlewood – the Aussie team can be rated as one of the best sides in the tournament. Although many of them are young, the sudden rise has created a feeling of fear amongst oppositions. When bowling to Warner or Smith, there is a fear amongst bowler that they might go for runs and when facing Starc, a batsman has the first challenge to protect his stumps and then look to play the ball.
Overloaded with talent and some great players, Australia will be a challenging team in the tournament who would like to pummel Kiwis, a team which they defeated in final of 2015 World Cup final.
New Zealand – Their inconsistency and the lack of the fireball in the team does not make this team one of the favourites. Despite having few of reliable players in the side, it’s always hard to trust Kiwis but in past two World Cups, they have performed par the expectations by qualifying for the semi-final in 2011 and playing final in 2015. The Kane Williamson-led side will look to emulate their run in the curtailed version of the World Cup and the game against Australia will determine how far they will go as looking their performance in past two series against Australia, it is hard to trust them and Australia as well.
In December, both the sides met in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Australia and the home side defeated Kiwis by a margin of 3-0. In a matter of two and a half months, the story was different as New Zealand regained the Cup by defeating Australia in their home. Both the teams have done well but in their home conditions and this game will be a real test which will show that which side is the better.
Tracking the strength –
Australia – The biggest strength on their side is the world’s best pace attack spearheaded by Mitchell Starc and batsmen like Steven Smith and David Warner at the top. Both Warne and Smith can turn the game from any point of time, which they have done in past. Along with it, if they get a good start for the team, then the job is left just for the bowlers.
New Zealand – The surprising factor in their side throughout ICC tournaments is their biggest strength as if compared with Australia, they don’t really stand in front of them but the thunderbolt which they can drop at big stages will keep Australia on their toes.
Match Prediction –
As discussed, New Zealand team lack that firepower which would help a side to win games, especially in ICC events like Champions Trophy. In this game, Australia holds an edge over New Zealand and are also the favourites, not to just win tomorrow’s game but to win the coveted trophy too.