In the ongoing ODI World Cup, Australia and New Zealand, bitter rivals across the Tasman, will face off in what looks to be a tantalizing match on Saturday, October 28 at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
New Zealand suffered a loss to India after thrashing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, England, and Afghanistan in their opening four games. The Blackcaps won’t be overly concerned, though, given they have already checked off a lot of boxes this campaign. After recovering from a knee injury, regular captain Kane Williamson took the field against Bangladesh. He hasn’t been able to play since a strange on-field event fractured his thumb, though.
In Williamson’s stead, the other Kiwi batters have performed admirably. Rachin Ravindra has reached adulthood, amassing 290 runs at an average of 72.50 across five games. Daryl Mitchell, who has amassed 268 runs at an average of 89.33, has also been in outstanding form. Mitchell Santner has been a class above the others with the ball, taking 12 wickets at an average of 16.92 in five games.
Australia World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start in the main event, losing their opening two matches against South Africa and India.
But the ‘Men in Yellow’ have turned things around in spectacular fashion with three straight victories over Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. They have also benefited greatly from the expectation that Travis Head, who is well again, will play against New Zealand.
David Warner, who has scored 332 runs at an average of 66.40 in five games in the competition, is Australia’s top run scorer thus far. In the past two games against Pakistan and the Netherlands, he scored hundreds of runs. With 13 wickets in five matches, Adam Zampa is the tournament’s best wicket-taker thus far. In the grand scheme of the competition, this game is crucial because a victory will guarantee a spot in the top four for any club.
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