http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 v New Zealand in ICC 2011 World Cup
Defending champions, Australia, are all set to go against Kiwis in their second match of 2011 World Cup on Friday, February 25, at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vidarbha-c860 Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
Aussies, who are looking for their fourth consecutive World Cup win, are amongst the top contenders to lift the trophy.
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 are considered as the dark horse of this tournament and a team that can defeat any side on a given day.
Kiwi skipper, Daniel Vettori, said, “Nothing really changes from any team you're playing in the Subcontinent, you try and bowl straight at the wickets and you know you're going to have to score a lot of runs”.
He further said, “There's no mystery to what we're going to try to do, but the key when you come up against these big teams and big players is having the presence of mind to execute time and time again”.
This match is crucial for both teams as the winner of the match will enhance their chances of making it into the knock-out phase.
The thing which is unusual about this match is that both teams have made a decision that the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be decided in this match. This trophy was first contested for in 2004-05 and ever since both teams play for it. The Kangaroos currently hold the trophy as they defeated the Kiwis 3-2 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2010.
The Black Caps have been unable to win this series since 2006-07 when they defeated the Aussie side 3-0.
The Kiwis will look to exploit the Aussies middle order weakness against spin. Apart from the Kangaroo skipper, Ricky Ponting, and vice-captain, Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, the rest of the batting line-up looks shaky against spin.
Team form
Australia may not be as strong in Test cricket as they used to be but in One Day International’s they are still a force to reckon with. They thrashed England in an ODI series 6-1, which was played earlier in January Down Under. They also won their opening match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045. They have lost just one match out of their last five international fixtures.
Kiwis have been struggling for form as of late. They have lost an ODI series to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 in their first match for the World Cup.
Key players
From the Aussie side all-rounder, Shane Watson, will play a crucial role. If he gets going he will relinquish the Kiwi bowling attack. Ponting will also play a very critical role, he is the player around whom the Kangaroos batting line-up revolves. Brett Lee will lead the bowling department with Mitchell Johnson.
Kiwis have certain match winners amongst them is Daniel Vettori, who will look to exploit the spinning tracks of Nagpur, to his full extent. Jesse Ryder is an attacking opening batsman and he’ll be eyeing a big innings in this match.
New Zealand (probable): Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, James Franklin, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Hamish Bennett, Tim Southee
Australia (probable) Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Cameron White, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait.
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