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#5 Australia
Key Players: Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc
As controversial as Steve Smith is, there is no denying that he is a key cog in the Australian batting line up. Smith is Mr Consistent and is one of the best batsmen in the world at rotating the strike through the middle overs. Australia will rely on their power hitters batting around Smith in order to produce match-winning scores. Mitchell Starc knocking over Brendan Mccullum in the 2015 World Cup final is as much of a match-winning effort as anything. Starc will be required at each stage of an innings for Australia. Swing with the new ball, and reverse swing with the old ball. If Starc can recapture his old form, Australia will be far more dangerous than their 5th ranking suggests.
Keys to success: Playing as a unit, taking wickets with the new ball.
It's no secret that Australia has lost its aura following the ball tampering incident. If they are to win the World Cup, they need to get this back, at least the majority of it. That hard-nosed but fair play Australian culture arguably won them as many matches as the likes of McGrath, Ponting and Gilchrist. This current side needs to develop this again, and quickly. Taking wickets with the new ball will also be key. Australia doesn't often lose games when they get on top early. If Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins can take wickets up top, Australia will be a very tough side to beat.
#4 New Zealand
Key Players: Martin Guptill, Trent Boult
Martin Guptil is the key to New Zealand posting big totals. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the glue, but if the Blackcaps are already 2 for nothing, a score of 330 is already out the window. Guptill adding to his 16 ODI hundreds is the key to NZ consistently producing or chasing match-winning totals. Trent Boult can single handily win New Zealand a match because when the ball swings, he is arguably the most dangerous bowler in world cricket. However, how he bowls if the ball is not swinging, will also go a long way to determining the Kiwis final positioning on the ladder.
Keys to success: Last 10 overs batting, taking wickets with the new ball.
Since the last World Cup New Zealand has struggled to finish off innings, with their power hitting going amiss. In a high scoring World Cup like in England, this will spell disaster for the Kiwis. De Grandhomme, Neesham and Santner will be tasked with giving NZ the finish to an innings that will give them a chance in the tournament. New ball wickets will also be crucial. New Zealand lacks quality death bowlers, and as such will need to rely on early wickets to be able to restrict teams. Boult, Henry and Ferguson will be leading the charge in this area.
