World Cup 2019, Match 37, New Zealand vs Australia: Preview, pitch report, head to head stats and playing XI

The Trans-Tasman rivalry is set to take centre-stage on Saturday, June 30th as both these sides face off at the iconic Lord's, London in the second match of a double-header for match 37 of World Cup 2019. While Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals, New Zealand need another point to qualify.

Match Details

Date: 29th June (Saturday)

Time: 12:30 AM(Next day) (New Zealand), 10:00 PM (Australia), 1:30 PM(England) and 6:00 PM (IST)

Venue: Lord's, London

Weather Report

Lord's will be home to a cracking encounter and the weather seems to follow suit as a sunny day with no rain and clear vision expected. The mercury is expected to touch the early 30s at some point of the game and while the fact that it's a day-night match means that teams will look to chase.

Pitch Report

A balanced wicket which supports both bat and ball will be on offer at Lord's. The wicket is still fresh with only 2 games played there so far and the ball will move around with a decent amount of spin on the wicket. The carry through to the wicketkeeper is pretty good and it's a good surface for all kinds of players.

Head-to-Head Stats

Overall: Australia have a 90-39 lead over New Zealand in 129 completed ODIs.

In World Cup: Both these sides have played in 10 World Cup games and the Aussies lead 7-3.

In England: Australia and New Zealand have played in 2 completed ODIs in England with each winning 1 game apiece.

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New Zealand

Can the Black Caps make it to the semis with a win?

Batting

Key Batsmen: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, and Ross Taylor

Martin Guptill needs to fire after a long string of failures in this tournament which has put a lot of pressure on the other players. Skipper Kane Williamson has batted beautifully but needs to be backed up by the solid Ross Taylor who has looked a bit off-color up till now.

The likes of Tom Latham and Colin Munro too must deliver with the bat while Colin De Grandhomme and James Neesham have done pretty well with the bat

Bowling

Key Bowlers: Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry

New Zealand's pace attack must be at its best when they take on an equally lethal Aussie pace attack. Trent Boult and Matt Henry have the huge job of removing the Aussie openers early on and must hit the right lengths and look to bowl fuller contrary to what other teams have done against Australia. Lockie meanwhile has looked good after the power play with his express pace and bounce.

Both James Neesham and De Grandhomme have bowled pretty well as backup options while Mitchell Santner will suffice as the spin bowling option.

Predicted Playing XI

Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(WK), James Neesham, Colin De Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult.

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Australia

Australia look a really formidable unit.

Batting

Key Batsmen: David Warner, Aaron Finch, and Steve Smith

The Aussie openers have been clinical against most oppositions they have played against and have shined in almost every game despite a pretty slow start to their innings. They'll look to keep the momentum going though they must be wary of the venom in the Kiwi pace attack.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have built partnerships and revived the innings on numerous occasions playing pretty well in the tournament. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis along with Alex Carey can provide an early flourish to the innings though Maxwell can be sent in early due to his destructive batting prowess.

Bowling

Key Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon

Jason Behrendorff bowled a brilliant opening spell to rattle England in the previous game and him along with Mitchell Starc will try to do the same against the Black Caps. Pat Cummins is another dependable wicket-taker who should tick against the Kiwis while Nathan Lyon will look to bowl another tidy spell during the middle overs.

Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell provide sufficient backup bowling options to make for a great bowling attack.

Predicted Playing XI

Aaron Finch(C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey(WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Jason Behrendorff.

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