AUCKLAND — Legendary New Zealand paceman Richard Hadlee believes Australia has a slight advantage heading into Saturday's World Cup showdown between the co-hosts because of its pack of power-hitters. This weekend's clash in Auckland, which some believe could be a dress rehearsal for the March 29 final, pits four-time World Cup champion Australia against an in-form New Zealand and should decide who takes pole position in Pool A.
Hadlee, who still holds the record for most Test wickets by a New Zealand bowler with 431, believes Australia's power hitters can take advantage of the exceptionally short straight boundaries at both ends of Eden Park.
“They've got probably six power hitters in their side and with the short boundaries, it could be the contest of the power hitters — the team that can hit more sixes and fours,” Hadlee, 63, said.
“I think Australia are favorites, but the way New Zealand are playing, we will given them a good run and we are good enough to get across the line,” added the former all-rounder, who retired in 1990. Saturday's match promises a fascinating duel between the Australian pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner and in-form New Zealand pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
Southee recorded New Zealand's best one-day figures of seven for 33 in his team's eight-wicket win over England in Wellington on Friday.
New Zealand can also call upon skipper Brendon McCullum, who smashed the World Cup's fastest fifty, off just 18 balls, en-route to a 25-ball 77 against England, as well as hard-hitting all-rounder Corey Anderson.
“In Southee and Boult, New Zealand have their best-ever new-ball combination,” said Hadlee, New Zealand's spearhead for much of his career.
Hadlee added: “McCullum is also at his dashing best. The way he has captained the side has been inspirational.
“The way he fields and leads his side in the field, and his batting ability as well — if he can put all three things together, the other players will follow that.”
Besides the top position in the pool, both teams will also be vying for the Chappell-Hadlee one-day trophy, named after the great Australian and New Zealand cricket families.
And Hadlee said he wanted to see the trophy, held by Australia since 2011, regained by New Zealand.
“We want it back. Hopefully Saturday, it might just lift the ante a little bit.” New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson fully expects Australia to use sledging or verbal intimidation to try to unsettle the Kiwis who are unbeaten after three pool matches and have joined Australia as tournament favorites.
Combative opener David Warner expects to be the target of abuse from the sellout crowd which will watch the first one-day international between the teams in four years.
Warner is unfazed, saying a hostile crowd will be “perfect” and will bring the best out of the Australia team.
The pugnacious batsman willingly plays the role of pantomime villain, attracting the boos and jeers of opposing fans.
“I hope they come out and boo us and give us crap like they always do,” Warner said of the Auckland crowd. “That's what's going to happen.
“We love it, it gets us up and going, gets the adrenaline going for sure.”
Warner has felt the hostility of New Zealand crowds before and says it holds no fears for him.
“You get some obscure swear words and a couple of things thrown at you, but that's what you expect when you come here,” he said. “It's happened before. It's probably going to happen again. But I embrace it.
“They can give it to me as much as they want. I'll just get it on board and let my bat do the talking.”
Anderson expects the Australians to use sledging to turn the heat on New Zealand but says the New Zealanders are unlikely to follow suit. One of the features of the coaching of Mike Hesson and captaincy of Brendon McCullum has been the discipline of the New Zealand team and its refusal to sledge opponents.
“Their sledging tactics are well known now and something we haven't involved ourselves in,” Anderson said. “We're fairly neutral on the field.
“We stick to what we do. We'll be expecting a bit of heat from them and I guess that's part of their game plan and we'll just deal with it as it comes.” — Agencies
