The rivalry will be fierce when neighbours Australia and New Zealand meet in a key World Cup tussle in Dharamshala (06:00).
Australia lit up the World Cup three days ago with their record-breaking win over Netherlands which bulldozed them closer to a semi-final place.
But they will have to be at their best again to blunt rivals New Zealand, who had won their first four matches before succumbing to India.
Australia vs New Zealand Prediction
Team news
Australian opener Travis Head looks to have recovered from a hand injury though the selectors may decide against breaking up the David Warner/Mitchell Marsh pairing which is going so well. Marcus Stoinis is also fit after missing out on the Dutch destruction.
New Zealand are set to name an unchanged side with Kane Williamson still out. Tim Southee is fit again after a thumb injury but will struggle to find a place in the team.
Match Odds
Australia are perhaps surprisingly as short at 4/7 to win this match, with New Zealand out at 11/8, seemingly being slightly overlooked despite coming so close to lifting the trophy four years ago.
The Baggy Greens are also the fancy at 8/13 to hit most match sixes, with the Black Caps available at 8/5.
New Zealand to win @ 11/8
New Zealand return to Dharmshala, the scene of their one and only defeat of the tournament and they look a big price to put that right against Australia.
The Kiwis were pipped by four wickets by India six days ago, but having posted a decent total of 273 at probably the most seamer-friendly wicket in the competition.
They were undone by a Virat Kohli masterclass, but there is nothing much wrong with New Zealand’s form, having won their first four matches.
Australia are unrecognisable from the side that lost their first two matches and come into the game with spirits sky-high after their record World Cup win over Netherlands, an astonishing 309-run triumph built on Glenn Maxwell’s fireworks.
Maxwell, like the entire Aussie middle-order, is far from trustworthy at this tournament, however, and if you can get an early Australian wicket or two they can be run through.
And few attacks are better equipped, in helpful, seaming and swinging conditions, to make breakthroughs with the new ball than New Zealand.
Steve Smith – Australia Top Run Scorer @ 16/5
It has been a quiet tournament for Steve Smith so far though the former Australia captain batted his way into nick against the Dutch with a decent 71. That was his first half-century of the competition.
He’ll be hoping to come in at No.3 again though could be dropped one to No.4 if Travis Head plays, though that could be a blessing in disguise if the new ball is hooping everywhere during the powerplay.
Either way, Smith will always be on a top runscorer shortlist and is a good price now that he is finding the middle of the bat.
Matt Henry – New Zealand Top Wicket Taker @ 10/3
New Zealand’s prized seam attack can trouble Australia with Matt Henry and Trent Boult set to take the limelight away from Mitchell Santner.
Left-arm spinner Santner is enjoying a wonderful World Cup, with 12 wickets to his name.
But Dharamshala is where the seamers can make an impact and Henry, at 10/3, is preferred over Boult to be his side’s top wicket-taker.
Henry has taken wickets in each of his nation’s five matches, ten overall, and will consistently and dangerously ask questions of opening batters with the new ball.
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