Australia v New Zealand: Stephen Fleming believes Black Caps no longer feel inferior to Aussies
NEW ZEALAND great Stephen Fleming believes a mammoth 400 could be the par score in a clash between two very evenly-matched teams.
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NEW ZEALAND great Stephen Fleming believes a mammoth 400 could be the par score on Saturday in a World Cup blockbuster that features the Black Caps and Australia at their absolute best.
Fleming says world-class talent and belief makes this the New Zealand outfit most likely to end a drought of six semi-final appearances and finally lift the game’s biggest prize.
However, the revered former Test captain also acknowledges that Australia are back to being the one-day powerhouses of yesteryear.
Totals of 400 plus have only been achieved on 13 occasions in ODI history, and before South Africa’s monster score of 5-408 against West Indies on Friday, only once before in a World Cup – when India put 413 past minnows Bermuda back in 2007.
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But Eden Park’s 55 metre straight and 65 metre square boundaries won’t be big enough to hold some of the best power hitters either country has ever seen – headlined by David Warner and Brendon McCullum.
Australia has called up star pace man Pat Cummins to their attack in place of Josh Hazlewood and captain Michael Clarke for George Bailey.
Fleming says the two captains must not panic when the scoreboard starts going through the roof.
“That belief that 10 overs for 80 could be pretty good,” said Fleming.
“As a group, having that realisation that it’s harsh and if you do everything right (and boundaries are hit) – so be it.
“That will be the attitude of both captains.
“It could be one of those days where 400 is the par score, who knows.
“The two ridiculous boundaries just make it a little bit of a lottery.
“The subtlety of spin is lost, mis-hits are going to go for six.
“It’s a slog-out unfortunately and as a captain you’ve got to keep showing that belief and keep trying to take wickets.”
That’s why Australia has elected for speedster Cummins, after Hazlewood struggled two weeks ago in the opener against England.
Fleming says New Zealand is watching the greatest side in its history, but is aware that Australia is the deserved the favourite for the tournament.
This time though, the Black Caps won’t be intimidated and according to Fleming, are taking on more and more of the characteristics of the mighty All Blacks, thanks to the aggressive captaincy of McCullum.
“Man-to-man New Zealand now believe they’re one of the best sides in the world. We haven’t always had that,” said Fleming.
“We’ve always challenged ourselves, ‘are we the best?’ Getting to semi-finals is probably as good as we’ve deserved.
“Years ago, the Australian side was unbelievable. We looked around and they had these great players … and you can’t help but feel inferior.
“I think they’re believing now.
“And they also have that total talent now. We haven’t produced many world-class players. Good players, but not world-class players to win big games.
“But here you could say there’s a number of players on their day that could win the match and that hasn’t always been the case.”
Fleming said the outcome will make very little impact on the quarter-final picture, but that it was a golden chance for New Zealand and Australia to mark a line in the sand.
“I think we’ll get a pretty clear indication where the players are and aren’t and where the teams are so there could be some scars inflicted,” he said.
“It’s fascinating.”
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
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