NZ will get true gauge against Oz
New Zealand will get a realistic gauge of their cricket World Cup prospects tonight when they meet Australia in round-robin play at Bristol.
The defending champs look the tournament’s form team, securing eight-wicket victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka with 11.5 and 6.1 overs to spare respectively.
After two rounds they lead the table on four points alongside India, but are ahead on run rate.
Nicole Bolton starred with 107 not out against the West Indies in Taunton, backed by fellow opener Beth Mooney’s 70. Captain Meg Lanning amassed 152 not out against Sri Lanka at Bristol, supported by 60 more runs from Bolton.
The same trio provided the spine to Australia’s performances in February’s Rose Bowl when, at 1-1 heading to the decider at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand threatened to wrest the trophy away for the first time since 1999.
If the White Ferns target the Aussie top three they will go some distance towards neutralising the batting threat. They haven’t batted beyond veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry at No 4 in the opening matches.
In contrast, weather thwarted New Zealand’s second match against South Africa in Derby.
Overnight rain and persistent morning showers resulted in an abandonment. The sides shared the points, moving to three each after two games.
With no toss, the match did not count, meaning White Ferns captain Suzie Bates remains on 99 ODIs.
Bates’ form shapes as key for the New Zealanders, given her record in 13 innings against Australia.
The 29-year-old has scored 714 runs at an average of 64.90 and strike rate of 79. Compare that to a career average of 42.32 and strike rate of 80. Three of her eight ODI centuries have come against the world champions.
The White Ferns’ World Cup record against Australia has brought few spoils. They have won three out of 14 completed contests since meeting at the inaugural tournament in 1973. Two of those victories have come in the last four matches extending to their only World Cup victory in 2000.
An XI featuring four of the current squad — Bates, Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest and Amy Satterthwaite — and coach Haidee Tiffen also beat Australia by 13 runs via the DuckworthLewis method during pool play at Sydney in 2009.