5 weaknesses of Australia that New Zealand can exploit

It has been a month-and-a-half of carnival, and as the climax of cricket’s showpiece tournament, we have a fight-out for the World Cup title between the two nations who have jointly hosted the 2015 edition – Australia and New Zealand.Australia have an 85-35 win record against their neighbours in ODIs, and also have the advantage of having played 6 World Cup finals before, having turned out victors on 4 of those occasions.Not even the greatest sides are free from fallabilities however – as exhibited countless times in the history of all sports. These are a few chinks in the Australian side which can be exploited by the first-time finalists New Zealand:

#1 Openers susceptible to early pressure

Aaron Finch awkwardly fends away a Mohammed Shami delivery

David Warner and Aaron Finch, the Australian opening batsmen, have both had disappointing World Cups despite no glaring failure, courtesy the depth of their batting lineup.

Warner, who came into the World Cup as one of the most highly rated batsmen in world cricket, has been guilty of throwing away his wicket far too frequently. He has managed 101 runs in the 5 matches Australia have played against the top 8 nations, an unsatisfactory showing at best.

Finch started off the World Cup with a positive 128-ball 135 against England, but has struggled to replicate the same form since. He has laboured through some more runs than his partner on most occasions, but his persistent trouble in timing the ball is sure to be pounced upon by Trent Boult’s swerving deliveries.

The New Zealand seamers have had early breakthroughs in every match they have played, and there is no reason why this will not continue to be the case on Sunday.

#2 Clarke and Watson uncomfortable against short balls

Shane Watson was subject to a brutal spell by Wahab Riaz

Captain Michael Clarke is arguably the weakest link in the Aussie batting order, and he alongwith Shane Watson compose a rather brittle middle order. If the Kiwi pacers can get 4 wickets within the first powerplay, the Maxwells and the Faulkners will be forced to play the uncharacteristic role of patient innings-builders – a spot of bother which will be a nightmare for the home team.

Clarke’s only notable score was the 68 against Sri Lanka, when he played a supporting hand to Maxwell and Smith, but otherwise has struggled to stay at the crease. He has scores of 12 against New Zealand, 8 against Pakistan and 10 against India.

Watson played a match-winning knock against Pakistan, but has looked distinctly uncomfortable with the short-pitched delivery early on in every innings. Wahab Riaz had him lined up against the wall most memorably.

Kiwi bowlers would do well to pepper both Clarke and Watson with well-aimed short deliveries early on in their stay at the crease.

#3 Only 3 frontline seamers

James Faulkner unsuccessfully appeals against India

Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson have been Clarke’s go-to bowlers for the duration of the World Cup, and Josh Hazlewood has made the third seamer’s spot his own over the course of the tournament as well. If however New Zealand survive the new ball spell without much damage, Australia’s weakness in the bowling attack will be exposed.

Faulkner and Watson are the other seam options available to Clarke – bowlers he will be hoping do not have to bowl to the top three Kiwi batsmen. Both bowlers rely on variation and persistence more than their penetrative prowess, and are liable to struggle if bowling against a set partnership.

#4 Lack of quality spinner

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell being used as Australia’s premier spinner has not had any serious rammifications yet, but it will be agreed universally that he is yards behind New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori in all parameters regarding bowling acumen. Maxwell has 5 wickets in the tournament, while Vettori has 15.

In the match against England, which was also played in MCG, the venue for the final, Maxwell bowled 4 wicketless overs for 33 – an unflattering indication of the spinning power the home team will have in the final.

In the South Africa-India game also played at the MCG, Ravichandran Ashwin’s 3-41 had a massive impact on the Proteas, an indication of how big an element Australia will be missing – an aspect which Vettori’s presence lends to the visiting side.

#5 Psychological effect of recent results

Kane Williamson celebrates after hitting the winning runs off Pat Cummins

New Zealand have been the best performers of 2015 World Cup in all departments. They have not lost a single match in the World Cup or in the lead-up to it, only being taken to the finishing line by Australia in the Pool A match, and by South Africa in the semi final.

Australia, on the other hand, were consigned to fight for the runners-up spot in Pool A after the 1-wicket defeat to the Kiwis in Auckland.

This is a rare period of supremacy in the cricketing world New Zealand are enjoying over their traditionally more successful neighbours, and will look to use the winning momentum as a psychological edge over their opponents – the last obstacle to realizing a 40-year national ambition of winning the World Cup.