New Zealand’s recent form has been so imperious they have not revealed any chinks in their armour. But they have pressure points, just like every other side.
We know South Africa have a dearth of all-round options and clam up when chasing scores of more than 250, as I wrote recently for The Roar.
This much was evident as they floundered chasing a 300-plus score against India on Sunday with Wayne Parnell forced to play as an all-rounder at seven despite his limited batting ability.
We know India have a powerful top six but not one world-class bowler. We know Australia have had issues with both their middle order and the uncertainty surrounding who should skipper the side.
So, what then, are New Zealand’s weaknesses? Their strengths are well known and already have been showcased in grand fashion during this World Cup.
There’s the ballistic striking of Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi.
Complementing them is the more cultured batsmanship of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. With the ball, Tim Southee and Trent Boult gain consistent and lethal swing and are capable of scything through top orders.
Southee’s phenomenal seven-wicket effort against England underlined the threat posed by New Zealand’s swing bowlers.
Stats show that New Zealand’s new ball bowlers have also proved very thrifty in recent times giving up just 4.45 runs per over in the opening 10 overs (from the start of 2013 through to the beginning of this World Cup).
Of the ‘Big Eight’ teams, only South Africa’s bowlers have been more miserly in those first 10 overs.
However, although Southee and Bolt form a potent frontline attack, Australia will fancy their chances of compiling a mammoth total if they can get past the first 10 overs relatively unscathed.
Those aforementioned statistics also showed that, from overs 10 to 50, New Zealand’s bowlers were more expensive than any bar England. The Kiwi bowlers went for 5.9 runs per over on average during the last 40 overs of matches in that period.
Among the Big Eight, only England again (8.02 runs per over) gave up more runs than the Kiwis (7.62) in the final 10 overs of innings.
Australia’s deep batting line-up has made a habit of butchering attacks in the late overs. This may be where they can hurt the Kiwis.
Of course, Boult and Southee form a terrific attack together with the wily spin of Dan Vettori, the 150kmh rockets of Adam Milne, and the clever left arm variety offered by all-rounder Anderson.
But we’re looking for holes in their game here folks and this is the best I could muster.
On the batting front, New Zealand again have few obvious weaknesses. While the long-hitting heroics of McCullum, Anderson and Ronchi often steal the headlines, it is Williamson who is New Zealand’s most important batsman.
A consistent and composed number three, he often forms the backbone of their innings, allowing their more dynamic strikers greater freedom to unleash.
Australia’s most likely avenue to disrupting the commanding run of the Kiwis’ batting line-up is through out-of-touch opener Martin Guptill.
Guptill is the only member of New Zealand’s top seven who is labouring. In Mitchell Starc and Mitch Johnson Australia have two bowlers unlike any Williamson has faced in his career.
Left-arm bowlers who can swing the ball back into you at up to 150kmh are a genuine rarity. Australia will hope they can knock over Guptill early and get a crack at Williamson while the two new balls are still hooping for their potent quicks.
If they can’t do this, and Williamson is allowed to anchor New Zealand’s innings, the Kiwis may well run amok.
New Zealand have weaknesses, alright, but they aren’t the gaping holes sported by most other sides.
raz
Guest
Milne is not gonna win nz this match,if anyone it ll be southee or boult,milne is no bond,simple as that.
raz
Guest
154 what ?? Yeah sure they face quality bowling,but the point still remains aussies have an advantage of two in form left armers,while nz have a much better spin option in vettori. So they both have advantages.
Coconut
Guest
Wow... Just wow... If you two are representative of the typical Aussie cricket fan, then it's no wonder your national team are utterly graceless and lacking in any kind of humility... I wonder if that underarm incident was really such an anomaly or perhaps more a reflection of the kind of sportsmen Australians really are. The last series against India was barely watchable, with the infantile behaviour continuously exhibited by your national team, it really was a disgrace. Tell you what, if the Kiwis can't knock your team over this weekend, then for sure I and no doubt a very large proportion of the cricketing audience will be barracking for the next team to do it. Heck, I'll even get behind the English!
Coconut
Guest
The only one carrying on mate is you, and all the disparaging comments seem to be coming from your fellow Australians. Most Kiwis are happy to the Black Caps doing so well.... And that's about it. Having gone through the lean times, it's just great to see them doing well, and it's got to be good for the game too. They've got a chance to get to the final, as does any of the top teams in this competition. Australia are the team to beat no question about it, but the article was written by an Aussie, and some Kiwis were voicing some cautious optimism. So get over yourself, you bragging bloody Aussie!
Don Freo
Guest
I love your thinking. Gee someone is going to be crowing on Saturday night. Then we'll see who's more resilient...NZ or Aust...I'm referring to the fans here.
Renegade
Guest
"Yeah if only NZ played India all summer…" Because Pakistan and Sri Lanka are just heaps better..... where are they on the rankings again? How many World Cup's have you guys won again? How many times have you been ranked number 1? Australia only have 4 in the cabinet and are currently ranked number 1 including a decade of dominance in both forms. As well as the Black caps are going, i think it's a bit early to start carrying on...
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Don you forgot to factor in the Eden Park ground. A score of 617 would get them close to 1,000 at Eden Park. What price are bookies paying for Oz score over 1,000?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Milne has been clocked at up to 153kmh. Against Eng his average speed was 142kmh and he peaked at 150kmh. Against Scotland he averaged 142 and topped at 148kmh. He's pretty much exactly the same pace as Johnson/Starc/Cummins. Southee and Bolt are a yard slower - both have been averaging about 135/136kmh and topping out at 142/143kmh
Bobbo7
Guest
154 I think Raz... anyway the point is they face quick bowling in the nets, just like Australia
Don Freo
Guest
Yep, it's not pressure, it is an invitation to perform. Raise the curtain and the Aussies are in their element.
Don Freo
Guest
How is he going with the next 1000, Bobbo?
Don Freo
Guest
Go all the way down the order I think Starc averages about 40 and Hazlewood about 60 this year (at least, he does in Shield cricket). If all our players score their average, we'll have a score of 617 after the 50 overs. If we bowl to our bowlers' averages, NZ will score 281. We needn't bother with the game. Just give us the points and line up at the bookies to collect.
Don Freo
Guest
Hey Clark...the idiocy doesn't finish with my comment. I have so many more yet to contribute.
13th Man
Guest
Haha
Pumping Dougie
Guest
True. But we eat pressure. 4 WC crowns (of the past 7) is testament to that.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
SA didn't have Steyn or Amla and it was basically an exhibition match. Must have played India more than 12 months ago. The Aussies will most likely thrash NZ! Ha, ha.
raz
Guest
Well over??? And the definition of well over is??? He hovers around 145-150 at his best.And this world cup his average pace has been even below that.
Bobbo7
Guest
Anyway, Williamson, Taylor, Guptill, Anderson, Elliot, Ronchi are all fine batsmen in their own way. It's not all about McCullum And before everyone writes Guppy off, an interesting fact is that he is the fastest NZer to 3000 ODI runs
Bobbo7
Guest
He made 116 in a T20 against Australia in 2010. He is also five times the player he was 4 years ago...
Bobbo7
Guest
Milne has been clocked well over 150km/h and in be game averaged 150km/h Pace will not be an issue for NZ