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Who would have thought? New Zealand and India got their World Twenty20 campaigns underway the other day, and it would be fair to say that no one knew what was about to unfold.
The Kiwis were the clear underdogs going into the match. They were up against the favourites of the tournament which can always be a daunting task, but to their credit they didn’t fold on the world stage.
New Zealand’s score of 126 didn’t exactly fill the cricketing public with much confidence, but it was only until we saw India conclude their innings to realise just how difficult the deck was to face up on.
The spinning threesome of Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum overwhelmed the Indian batsmen. Yes, a team that were brought up on spinning pitches and always facing quality spinners crumbled for a very average score of 79.
When we talk about New Zealand’s most devastating bowling options, the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee are inevitably brought into discussion. But to the New Zealand selectors’ credit, they assessed the conditions and went with what they believed would cause the most damage.
New Zealand will be filled with belief and confidence knowing they defended such an average score and still come out with the lot, and that is why Australia have to be right at it from the word go in their opener against the Kiwis today.
Australia should be confident, though. After playing a positive and winning brand of cricket in the short T20 series against South Africa, they have had some decent preparation against a solid cricketing nation.
Australia came out 2-1 series winners and it gave the selectors a chance to have another look at what could potentially work in India.
Key battle: Spinners
It’s not rocket science really, this will play a huge part in determining who comes out with the points.
If the Australian selectors were to use common sense, both Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar will line up together as the spin twins. If the Kiwi spin attack reiterated anything the other day, then it is that spin will win games in the sub-continent. Nine wickets were taken between the three Kiwi spinners and that statistic says enough.
Zampa and Agar have the talent, all they need is the backing of the selectors and their captain. It’s also important to give them the ball at the correct time. Spinners tend to do the damage when the ball is given to them at the right time.
Steve Smith should be looking to get them involved when they can come on and try and get into a bit of a rhythm and avoid getting them involved when there are two set batsmen. Obviously that can not always be the case, but if the game situation allows Smith to get his spinners into the game, then they can certainly cause some damage.
Team news
You would expect the New Zealand selectors to stick with the winning formula that destroyed the Indian batting line-up
New Zealand
Martin Guptill
Kane Williamson
Colin Munro
Corey Anderson
Ross Taylor
Mitchell Santner
Grant Elliott
Luke Ronchi
Nathan McCullum
Adam Milne
The Australian team is slightly more difficult to predict, although if common sense prevails we should see two frontline spinners mixed within the XI.
Australia
Aaron Finch
Shane Watson
Steve Smith
David Warner
Glenn Maxwell
Mitchell Marsh
Peter Nevill
James Faulkner
Ashton Agar
Adam Zampa
Josh Hazlewood
Previous meeting
Australia and New Zealand have not met in the T20 arena since February 28, 2010.
Played in Christchurch, New Zealand set the Aussies a target of 214 which included a blistering ton from Brendon McCullum. In reply, Australia tied the game thanks to standout innings from Michael Clarke (67) and Cameron White (64*).
In the super over, Australia scored six runs, which was bettered by the Kiwis with a total of nine.
Prediction
I’m feeling an Aussie win for this one. They are coming off a very good series in South Africa which can only boost their confidence going into the tournament.
If anything, I don’t believe there will be much in this game. Both teams seem to be confident, but the x-factor type of players such as Warner and Maxwell might just give Australia the edge.
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