Trans-Tasman battle to provide test of World Cup-winning credentials – T20 IPL 2024

Big picture: Semi-final almost a lock for Trans-Tasman winner

Attention in New Zealand might currently be focused on another World Cup, with their beloved All Blacks on the cusp of regaining the Webb Ellis Cup.

Despite that, New Zealand can almost lock in a semi-final berth – defying predictions of many pundits – with a victory over Australia in another intriguing Trans-Tasman contest. But it won’t be easy with a rejuvenated Australia finally looking like the serious title contender expected of them after a shaky start to the tournament.

Australia have progressively got better since turning things around against Sri Lanka culminating in their record thrashing over an out-classed Netherlands. But those early defeats to South Africa and India mean Australia still have to be careful of slippage with much at stake for this day fixture at Dharamsala, the picturesque ground they’ve never played an ODI at before.

Australia’s batting has started to click with opener David Warner back to his imposing best at the top of the order and their middle-order struggles were alleviated at least temporarily when Glenn Maxwell went wild against Netherlands.

But Australia may reshuffle their line-up by shoehorning returning opener Travis Head. It could be risky against New Zealand’s strong bowling attack with conditions in Dharamshala usually helpful for swing bowling making Trent Boult and Matt Henry particularly dangerous.

Australia, of course, have a formidable pace attack of their own but encouragingly for them has been the improved form of frontline spinner Adam Zampa, whose early woes mirrored the team’s struggles.

Australia’s bowlers will face a litmus test against New Zealand with Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra among the standout batters in the tournament.

This match looms as a gauge of where both teams stand among the title race with some scepticism still surrounding them. While top four spots for Australia and New Zealand are entirely possible regardless of the result, there does seem to be a lot riding on this Trans-Tasman clash in a rivalry that usually delivers.

Form guide

Australia WWWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LWWWW

In the spotlight: Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Santner

Glenn Maxwell played one of the most extraordinary knocks in World Cup history with his blistering century against Netherlands. He broke a slew of records in a reminder of his devastating power hitting at the death. Maxwell has also been effectively Australia’s second spinner and performed credibly so far although faces a major test against New Zealand’s in-form batters.

Spinner Mitchell Santner has been a standout bowler in this tournament with 12 wickets at an economy of 4.25 and an average of 16.92. He has a good record against Australia, taking 17 wickets in 13 ODIs. His average of 26.41 and economy of 4.56 against them are better than his overall career marks. Santner will again be crucial in the middle overs and be relied upon to curb Australia’s big-hitting middle-order.

Team news: Head and Stoinis could return, New Zealand unchanged

Travis Head has had a few more days to recover from his hand injury and will be pushing for a return which would force a reshuffle of the top-order. He is set to open when he does come back – a position he had relished for some time before his injury – and replace Mitchell Marsh, who will shift down to number three. That forces Steven Smith, who has occupied No. 3 for the best part of a decade, to No. 4 with Marnus Labuschagne set to be omitted. Allrounder Marcus Stoinis might return after missing the match against Netherlands due to a calf niggle.

Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Marcus Stoinis/Cameron Green, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood

With Kane Williamson still working his way back from injury, New Zealand will likely go unchanged which means veteran seamer Tim Southee is set to again miss out having recently recovered from a thumb injury.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult

Pitch and conditions

Dharamsala has so far offered the fast bowlers the most amount of swing in the first 10 overs of each innings. In each of the four previous World Cup matches at the ground, the team winning the toss has elected to bowl. Sunny conditions are expected on Saturday with a maximum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius forecast in what should be pleasant conditions for the day fixture.

Stats and trivia

Tom Latham is 77 away from 4000 ODI runs

Quotes

“I’ll do whatever the team wants. I’ve got a pretty good record at three, so I was a bit shocked in a way, but I’ll do what I need to for the team.”
Steven Smith on his likely move down to No.4 in the batting order.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth

Source: ESPN Crickinfo