It will be a clash of the table toppers as Australia meet New Zealand in the second game on Saturday. The Aussies have already qualified for the semis, with 12 points in their kitty, and will be looking to finish on top of the table. They have played seven games thus far and only have one loss - against India - in the edition, and have been led brilliantly by their openers and new-ball bowlers.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have 11 points and need another win to seal their top-four spot. They were unbeaten in the competition before their loss to Pakistan, but that should not deter them from a fine performance here against their Trans-Tasman rivals. With players like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson in their ranks, it should be an enthralling battle between two evenly-matched teams.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (8.5 credits)
Alex Carey has been in decent form with the bat in the limited opportunities that he has got in this World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 38 in the last game against England, which followed his scores of 45 and 55* that he notched earlier. He is also a safe option to have with the gloves.
Batsman: Aaron Finch (10 credits)
Finch is the second best batsman in the edition with 496 runs, which includes two tons and three fifties. 82, 153, 53 and 100 are his scores in the last four games, and we
It will be a clash of the table toppers as Australia meet New Zealand in the second game on Saturday. The Aussies have already qualified for the semis, with 12 points in their kitty, and will be looking to finish on top of the table. They have played seven games thus far and only have one loss - against India - in the edition, and have been led brilliantly by their openers and new-ball bowlers.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have 11 points and need another win to seal their top-four spot. They were unbeaten in the competition before their loss to Pakistan, but that should not deter them from a fine performance here against their Trans-Tasman rivals. With players like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson in their ranks, it should be an enthralling battle between two evenly-matched teams.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (8.5 credits)
Alex Carey has been in decent form with the bat in the limited opportunities that he has got in this World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 38 in the last game against England, which followed his scores of 45 and 55* that he notched earlier. He is also a safe option to have with the gloves.
Batsman: Aaron Finch (10 credits)
Finch is the second best batsman in the edition with 496 runs, which includes two tons and three fifties. 82, 153, 53 and 100 are his scores in the last four games, and we can expect another strong performance from the Australian skipper.
All-rounder: Colin de Grandhomme (8.5 credits)
Colin de Grandhomme has fared well, and is a good differential to have. He has two scores of more than 60 in the last three games, and has also been among the wickets. Five wickets in six games along with 155 runs in the lower middle-order makes him a handy pick.
Bowler: Lockie Ferguson (8.5 credits)
The right arm pacer has been in stellar form with the ball in this World Cup. The Kiwi seamer has 15 scalps to his name in six games at a very good economy rate of 4.97. He had an off day last time against Pakistan but has the skills to make a comeback.
Captain: Aaron Finch
Vice-captain: David Warner
Predicted Playing XI:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro/Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff