World Cup 2023, Match 27 | New Zealand Predicted XI vs Australia

image-lo8gn8m1New Zealand will be playing against Australia in the 27th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

The Trans-Tasman rivalry is back to everyone's excitement. The finalist of 2015 World Cup are set to lock horns against one another in the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. On a double-header Saturday, this will be initial game and is set to commence from 10:30 AM IST.

Australia seems to have peaked at the right moment. They lost their opening two World Cup matches against countries they had played bilateral series against. In the first match of the campaign, India beat the Kangaroos in Chennai. South Africa then crushed them. 

After five matches, Australia has six points, which puts them in fourth place in the points standings. There are rumours around Travis Head's availability who spent some time in the nets on Friday batting and bowling for 20 minutes. 

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On the flip side,  New Zealand had been the team to beat in the competition prior to their loss to India. The Kiwis were leading the standings until their latest clash and finds them with eight points from five matches now. They are positioned third, only behind South Africa who have the same points but a superior net run-rate. 

The Kiwis have fared well in the competition with a victory against defending champions, England in the curtain raiser. They followed it by three more wins against Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. 

It will be seen how the team lines up against Australia. Let us have a quick hover through the New Zealand predicted XI vs Australia.


Openers: Will Young and Devon Conway

In the absence of regular skipper, Kane Williamson, Will Young has cemented his position at the top of the order. He was unlucky to be left out against Bangladesh even after scoring a 70-plus against Netherlands. But Williamson's injury has allowed him to open the innings at the top of the order with Devon Conway. The southpaw on the other hand has been more than decent for the Kiwis. He blasted off 150 against England in the curtain raiser and set the stage alive. He has piled up 249 runs from five innings so far.


Middle-Order: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Mark Chapman

Although Rachin Ravindra bats at no. 3, he falls in the all-rounders category. So, the middle order is bolstered by Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham and Mark Chapman. The former has been in scintillating form with the bat. He scored a brilliant match-defining half-century against Bangladesh earlier. But Mitchell's most recent batting performance came against India where he notched up 130 runs off 127 balls.

Tom Latham has been a captain to watch out for in the mega-event. He hasn't been at his absolute best with the willow in hand and will look forward to making an impact in the upcoming battle against Australia.

Mark Chapman is playing a very different role than others. He's batting in the lower middle order and is backed due to his impressive average over forty in Asian conditions. Chapman has played some quickfire knocks for the Kiwis in the tournament and shall be backed again.


All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner

Rachin Ravindra has been in outstanding form with the bat in hand. Firstly, he notched up a ton against England at the opener of the tourney and in the recent clash against India, he scored a brilliant half-century, partnered with Mitchell for the third wicket. Not to forget, Ravindra shall also be handy with his left-arm orthodox spin against an Australian side packed with right-handers in the middle order.

Glenn Phillips has been one of the crisis men for New Zealand. He comes up with special knocks under tough conditions and dent collapses to the opposition. He's a gem of a fielder and a four dimensional cricketer who can even keep the stumps if required. He was also handy with his part time off-spin against England, claiming a brace.

Mitchell Santner has been one of the talking points in the ongoing World Cup. He has scalped twelve wickets from five matches so far. He did not even leak a single boundary against England in their competition opener. By far, he has been one of the best bowlers in the marquee event.


Bowlers: Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson

The conditions of Dharamsala would be perfect for a comeback for Tim Southee who is fit for selection. But if he has to come, whom does he substitute? Trent Boult offers the left-arm angle and has been lethal across phases. Matt Henry has been superb with the new ball and gets hurt enough lateral movement to challenge and nick the edges of the bat. 

Also, Lockie Ferguson has been the speed gun of the Kiwis and bagged three-fers against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. He has pocketed eight wickets from his last three games and has been a force to reckon with in these conditions.


New Zealand predicted XI vs Australia 

Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c/wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson.