#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith have strung a calm and steady partnership to surge ahead in this #CWC15 Final at the #MCG.
Looks like the inevitable is round the corner.
Clarke, under immense pressure, when he came in, soaked in tidy bowling and then opened up to deliver a superb innings. Fitting for grand finale to end a grand ODI career in style.
#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 183 all out
AUS: 152 for 2, 30 overs
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#Australia v #Afghanistan, #WACA, #Perth
4th Mar 2015
Some say, they've had a rough time with weather, injuries and unlucky moments in matches thus far.
Their position in the table is a testimony to that thought.
3 Matches - 3 points is certainly not something you'd look at as Australia's position especially given the quality of their side and being frontrunners to lift the #CWC15 trophy.
Game 1 - Thumped England comfortably at the #MCG
Game 2 - Washed out v Bangladesh at the #GABBA, #Brisbane
Game 3 - Lost narrowly to New Zealand at #EdenPark, #Auckland
Their batting against the Kiwis was far from convincing and clearly showed their unpreparedness in tough situations. This can be exploited by other strong teams in the competition.
Bowling is plagued with injury scares, latest being the ankle twist of #PatCummins that has put him doubtful for the next games.
#MichaelClarke has to guide his team through this tricky phase and build momentum as they move towards knockout stages.
As for #Afghanistan, at their stunning victory over #Scotland few days ago will definitely lift their spirits. But, its too monumental a task to compete with the Aussies, let alone win a game against them. They can however give a good account of themselves by playing some aggressive and disciplined cricket.
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#NewZealand v #Australia , #Auckland
28th Feb 2015
In whats the biggest game of the tournament probably, New Zealand take on Australia at Auckland in high voltage Pool A match. Australia were and are always firm favorites to win the cup based on their overall ability and form. The Black Caps probably have the best chance to win the trophy owing to home conditions and form of some of their key players.
Its going to be a battle of nerves and the team that takes an initiative and innovates will come up trumps. So, whats is favor of each team then?
New Zealand
- Home ground in Auckland. Australia will travel to New Zealand after a long time and need to adapt quickly
- Home crowd support and conditions to suit the Kiwis more
- Big chance to set the record straight against their neighbors (Aus have always been the better team)
- Bowling and Batting clicking at the same time. The only worry is some of their middle and lower order players havent got a decent hit in yet. Same with the Aussies who have played on the opening day of the tournament and nothing after that. Thats 14 days ago. That should make them a bit rusty?
- The fielding is at par but Kiwis seem to just have an edge there
Australia
- Home or away, the Aussies are massively adaptive and aggressive in all environments. This is the reason why they have been so dominant over the years.
- Man to man - skill wise - they are the better team no doubt. Kiwis don't have the superstar batting or bowling prowess but they are performing brilliantly as a unit.
- All round ability is better and even under pressure they can stand up tall unlike most other teams who generally crumble, NZ being one of them.
Our judgment says its Aus 60 - 40 NZ.
We may be wrong and if we are, this World Cup is alive and kicking.
Imagine Australia stuck on 3 points after 3 games battling it out with other teams in the group to qualify for the quarter finals! That would dent their pride big time.
Players to watch?
Aus - David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (well finally he gets to play after a long injury layoff), Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc
NZ - Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori
May the better team win.
We just hope this is the first "heavyweights" game of this #CWC15 that goes down to the wire. Many of these games so far have been one-sided while the minnows have produced some cracking and thrilling results!
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Obviously the firm favorites to win the cup.
No.1 ranked in ODI, hosts and well-balanced side.
This Australian side looks equipped to go the distance!
It must be said that this team is a pale shadow of the great Aussis teams of 90s and 2000s. They don't have a legendary batting lineup including Gilchrist, Ponting, Waugh, Hayden, Bevan nor do they possess arguably the best balanced bowling attacks of all time (Warne, Mcgrath, Gillespie, Lee). This is a team reinventing itself through new talent.
However, the Australian cricket structure is such that it ensures new talent comes up all the time. Take the case of #GeorgeBailey who is also their current #T20 captain. With limited experience, he has catapulted to great heights in the shorter formats of the game. Many other names including Doherty, Cummins, Hazlewood are already being termed as the #RisingCricketStars of the world !
Batting
Looks solid all the way through with low or no chinks in that armoury.
They have the firepower in Warner, Watson, Maxwell, Finch.
Consistent and steady middle order in Clarke, Bailey, Smith, Marsh
More than useful tail - Haddin, Faulkner, Johnson
Bowling
If at all, this seems to be their weak link.
New seamers in Hazlewood, Cummins, Faulkner and Starc are not experienced enough. Seasoned campaigners like Johnson will have to guide them smartly especially as the tournament moves in the elimination stages. Spinning dept lacks depth too. Doherty, Clarke and other part timers may not be very impactful although its going to be about the seamers in the Australian-NZ summer!
All Rounders
This is their big strength. Great combination of batsmen who can bowl and vice versa. Watson, Clarke, Smith, Faulkner can turn matches on their batting or bowling skills alone.
All in all, this Aussie side looks well set to dethrone India and regain the World Cup crown, unless they fluff up in important games or some match winning innings/performances snatches a game or two away from them!
The Final 15 in the Australian squad for #ICCWorldCup2015
#Michael Clarke
#George Bailey
#Pat Cummins
#Xavier Doherty
#James Faulkner
#Aaron Finch
#Brad Haddin
#Josh Hazlewood
#Mitchell Johnson
#Mitchell Marsh
#Glenn Maxwell
#Steve Smith
#Mitchell Starc
#David Warner
#Shane Watson
