Australia vs New Zealand: 5 key battles

New Zealand have go off to a rollicking start in the ICC WorldT20 by handing a sound thrashing to India in Nagpur on a raging turner, and all of a sudden their stocks have reason almost exponentially. They will now be up against a rather unsettled Australia and in many ways will even start as favourites against them.The clash which will take place in Dharamshala will have several key moments and many mini-contests thrown in between them. Australia it seems have not embraced this format with conviction and in spite of the success of the Big Bash League, their international performance has not inspired any confidence.This is the only trophy that has so far evaded the grasp of the Australia, and one can never rule them out ever in any ICC tournaments. New Zealand on the other hand have been the perennial dark horses going into any tournament and they have always punched above their weight.The presence of Shane Watson, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson among others makes this clash a mouth-watering prospect.We look at the 5 potential clashes that can change the course of the match.

#1 Shane Watson vs Mitchell Santner

Santner was the man of the match against India

The pitch at Nagpur was a dustbowl and Santner ruled proceedings and shocked India. A young guy who is in his formidable years turns the ball and his not shy to bowl in the powerplays. After his inspired performance in the first match he will now be the one to watch out for.

Shane Watson on the other hand has been instrumental to the Twenty20 team ever since he has staged a comeback, and has provided powerful starts for the team. He however will face a challenge in the form of Santner who will spin the ball away from him and who varies the pace and length with deception.

Santner is also a good lusty hitter and will be up against the experienced Watson who bowls at the death and in the middle overs. A battle between a young turk and an experienced hand adds a different colour to the contest.

#2 James Faulkner vs Martin Guptill

James Faulkner holds the key with his varations

Martin Guptill smashed the first ball he faced in the tournament for a maximum, and signaled his intent. He was out the next ball courtesy a dodgy umpiring decision, but the impact of Guptill has been profound for New Zealand in limited overs cricket. The fact that he was snubbed at the IPL auctions might also act as a driving force to establish himself in India.

James Faulkner exemplifies the hard and mean Australian mindset. He is a player with an appetite for big stages, and he proved it with a man of the match performance last year in the World Cup. He brings the left arm angle into the game and in the presence of Mitchell Starc, Faulkner will have to step up.

It is a matchup between the flamboyance of Guptill and the guile of Faulkner and both these players will be critical to their team’s cause.

#3 John Hastings vs Kane Williamson

Watch out for Hastings taking on Williamson

Kane Williamson has evolved into a leader and a batsman who is capable of adapting to different circumstances. Amidst the plethora of stroke players all around him, Williamson goes about his job unfazed and does it with brilliance. He has a very uncomplicated technique and gets the job done without any fuss, and opening the batting in T20s for his side, Williamson has the responsibility of dropping anchor and playing through the innings.

He will be up against a burly fast bowler in John Wayne Hastings, who has had his fair share of injuries but ever since his comeback has had an impact. He emerged as the highest wicket-taker against India with 10 wickets and was impressive against South Africa too. He bowls what we call the heavy ball and angles the ball in. He also has a good Yorker and tests batsmen at the death.

While Williamson might be an accomplished batsman, one can only underestimate Hastings at their own peril.

#4 Nathan McCullum vs David Warner

David Warner is the best T20 batsman in Australia

Nathan McCullum provided the perfect start for New Zealand when he trapped Shikhar Dhawan in the very first over. It was all downhill from there for India. McCullum is a key cog in the New Zealand scheme of things and his tight off-spin bowling and brilliant outfield bowling is a bonus for the Black Caps.

David Warner is by far the best T20 batsman in the Australian side and his impact goes beyond mere numbers. Warner has now been slotted in a number where he can control the game right through the middle overs, rotate strike and not allow spinners to put together a string of dot balls. And if there is the presence of Warner in the middle, expect boundaries to be cleared easily.

McCullum has enough experience and he loves bowling to left-handers, and Warner being Warner will never allow himself to be bogged down. Watch out for this duel then.

#5 Glenn Maxwell vs Corey Anderson

Watch out for the clash between the all rounders

Both these players add the much sought after balance to their respective teams. They bowl with control and have wicket-taking abilities, and can run away with the game.

Maxwell who is labeled the big show has the potential to run away with the game within 4-5 overs due to his manic hitting and sensational innovations. He is an absolute box-office and is compulsive viewing. A handy off-spinner in the middle overs, Maxwell can tie the batsman down in the middle overs and then he is absolutely breathtaking in the field.

Corey Anderson is a strong lad and often bowls in the powerplays. He can bowl quick but relies on changes of pace and cutters and can befuddle batsman. Like Maxwell, Anderson is a dangerous batsman, who held the record for the fastest One Day International century when he smashed a ton of 36 balls. Anderson too is a dynamic fielder.

These two will be up against each other and will be very exhilarating for the audience.