World Cup 2019: New Zealand vs Australia match preview

By
Arijah Siddiqui
New Zealand face Australia at Lord's in their World Cup clash today. Photo: File 

LONDON: Lord's will have another exciting encounter on its hand when Australia face New Zealand in their World Cup clash in London today. 

Five-time champions Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals while New Zealand who lost their last match to Pakistan are still looking for a place in the final four. 

The Aussies currently sit at the top of the table having just lost one game in the tournament. The Kiwis, on the other hand, sit third with 11 points.

For Australia, their opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner will be the main men, having scored 996 keeps running between them.

Australia lifted the last Cricket World Cup in 2015. Photo: File

In the bowling department, Mitchell Starc has been the main man for the Aussies after taking 19 wickets in the World Cup so far. 

For New Zealand, their unbeaten run in the tournament came to an end against Pakistan on Wednesday.  

New Zealand´s captain Kane Williamson pulls to the long leg to end the match during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match against Afghanistan. Photo: AFP
 

While James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme amazed the crows with their 132-run partnership for the sixth wicket in intense batting conditions at Edgbaston, the opening pair of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro could not stand against Pakistani bowlers.

With New Zealand so close to make their way to a semi-final spot, it won't be surprising Kane Williamson and XI will give it all. 

The match between New Zealand and Australia will start at 5:30pm Pakistan Standard Time. 

Weather conditions in London 

According to the forecast, the weather is expected to be dry with sunny spells and a bit of humidity.

Australia-New Zealand ODI stats

Head to head matches: 136

AUS won: 90

NZ won: 39

Tied: 0

No result: 7

Highest total: 378/5 by Australia in 2016

Lowest total: 70/10 by Australia in 1986

Most runs: 1971 runs in 50 innings by RT Ponting (AUS)

Most wickets: 59 wickets in 31 innings by GD McGrath (AUS)

Squads:

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon