ICC Champions Trophy 2013: New Zealand vs Australia - New Zealand preview

While taking the field against Australia, Brendon McCullum and his band of boys may feel a bit strange today. The reason is that New Zealand have been touted as slight favourites in their match against Australia. The last time New Zealand were given the tag of being the favourites in a Trans-Tasman contest was perhaps back in the mid-80s. Most of the present day New Zealand cricketers weren’t even born then. It would be interesting to see how New Zealand cope with the pressure.

Pitch and conditions

Historically, the track at Edgbaston has been generally good for batting. But it is surprising to see conditions at Edgbaston being drier than usual. In the past, groundsmen used to leave a bit of grass on the surface, but that hasn’t been the case this time around. In fact, the track at Edgbaston resembles that of Old Trafford. One hopes that today they will play on a new pitch, as if it is a track that has already been used for an earlier game, it can become tough for batsmen to play shots on the rise.

Key players

Kyle Mills - The ultimate utilitarian from Auckland, Kyle Mills has an uncanny knack of getting prized scalps upfront with a new ball in hand. He bowls at around 80mph, but gets just enough movement either way to keep the batsmen on a tight leash. His Achilles’ heel, though, has always been bowling in the death overs, as he struggles to slip in the yorker. With 218 wickets to his name at 26.55, he has come a long way from the days when he used to open the bowling with another utilitarian in Daryl Tuffey in ’02.

On his day, Kyle Mills can chip in with useful scores lower down the order too. Recently in South Africa, Mills showed his wares with a willow in hand by giving able support to the experienced campaigner, Franklin, to mastermind a nerve-wracking one wicket win against the pillaging South Africans at Paarl.

Nathan McCullum - Nathan McCullum has always played under the shadow of his younger brother Brendon McCullum. Even back in 1999/00, when both brothers played in the U19 World Cup, it was Brendon who was being talked about as a future prospect for New Zealand. Nathan seems to have got used to his younger brother hogging the limelight all the time.

His record of 35 wickets at 47.11 and 756 runs at 19.89 doesn’t make for a good reading. But he is yet another one of those utility cricketers from New Zealand who brings more to the table than what his record suggests. In New Zealand’s last game against Sri Lanka, he kept the opposition’s batsmen on a tight leash, and took crucial wickets with his brand of restrictive off-spin. The plucky Kiwi also played a vital knock of 32 with a willow in hand, and that too under immense pressure. If New Zealand need to progress to the knock-out stages of the tournament, they need utility cricketers like Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills to punch above their weight.

X-factor

Guptill - With his power-packed high back lift, Guptill was going great guns in their first match against Sri Lanka before Malinga snared his wicket. Kiwis would hope that he can get a big score against Australia today. New Zealand desperately need the engine room of their batting line-up, consisting of Guptill, Taylor and Brendon McCullum, to fire on all cylinders. Guptill, like most others in the New Zealand’s side, is a very good fielder too.

New Zealand’s chances

In spite of Australia’s poor performance against England, New Zealand’s think-tank will not their Trans-Tasman rivals lightly. The ever-smiling Australian skipper, George Bailey, has shown before with his state side Tasmania, and by leading an unfancied Australia team to semifinals in T20 WC last year, that he can lift the spirits of a young side with his captaincy. It also has to be said that New Zealand just about escaped in their last match against Sri Lanka, as they won the match with just one wicket in hand. On paper though, New Zealand look the better side, and should fancy their chances against Australia.

Possible line-up

There is a chance that New Zealand’s veteran all-rounder Vettori may not play against Australia, as he continues to struggle with his fitness. If he doesn’t play then New Zealand may opt for either Munro or Elliott.

Martin Guptill, Luke Ronchi (wk), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (capt), Munro / Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan.