The Trans-Tasman rivalry is reignited as New Zealand host Australia in what promises to be a cracker of an ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Pool A contest.
Australia vs New Zealand has always had that feeling of a bigger country trying to assert their authority on the little one, but come Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland, this will be a battle between two great ODI sides, teams that have been tipped to go all the way and clinch the title.
New Zealand have been as good as any side at this World Cup, thumping Sri Lanka in their first match, doing more than enough to beat Scotland in their second and absolutely annihilating England in their third.
Brendon McCullum has preached attacking cricket, and attacking cricket everyone watching the Black Caps at this World Cup has been able to enjoy.
"We have been playing some good cricket of late," said New Zealand skipper McCullum on Friday. "We are living the dream really -- playing a World Cup in our home country.
"Tomorrow there is going to be 40,000 odd people, we are playing against Australia, it doesn't get much better than that."
The winner of this match is most likely to finish top of Pool A, which in itself should be motivation enough to come away with a win; of course the fact that this is a clash between two neighbours with plenty a past will also play its part in giving the game that extra edge.
"Favourites or underdogs it is irrelevant when the game gets underway tomorrow," added McCullum. "We are very respectful of a good Australian team. They are a formidable side and they have an exceptional record at World Cups.
"Under Darren Lehman they have become a very strong team with a lot of match winners throughout. That is what we are up against but we are trying to execute our game and if we do that then we will be hard to beat."
Australia are rightly the biggest favourite for the World Cup title. Such is their strength that it really is difficult to find a hole in this squad – they have two outstanding openers, a really strong middle order led by Steven Smith and the returning Michael Clarke and a glut of world-class all-rounders.
Their bowling is not too shabby either with Mitchell Johnson leading the way, and while Xavier Doherty does not send a chill down the spine of the batsmen, he is a pretty effective spinner, able to do exactly what the captain expects of him, if he gets in the team.
Having seen their last match – against Bangladesh – washed out by rain, Australia have not played a game for two weeks, and rustiness will be something that might come into play, considering New Zealand, who will be playing their fourth match of the World Cup, have no such worries.
Clarke's much-awaited return will also take plenty of the headlines, and all the Australia skipper can do to get away from those hamstring-makes-the-headlines-again scenario is by going out there and letting his captaincy and bat do the talking.
"Everyone is sick of talking and reading about my injury, my old injury I should say," said Clarke. "The body feels really good, I have worked really hard. The work I've put in has given me a chance to get back out on to the park and be able to play at 100 percent."
Where to Watch Live
Get the Full Scorecard of the Match HERE
Get the Match Report HERE
The match is scheduled for a 2 pm local time (11.30 pm AEDT, 6.30 pm IST, 1 am GMT, 8 pm ET) start with live coverage in Australia on Channel 9 and Fox Sports and Sky TV in New Zealand. The match can be caught via live streaming online in Australia on Cricket Australia Live, Cricket Australia Live App and Foxtel, while New Zealand viewers can do the same on Sky Go NZ.
Australia vs New Zealand will be shown live in India on Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD4, Asianet Movies, Suvarna TV and Channel V. Viewers in India and the rest of the subcontinent can also live stream the match online on Starsports online and Star Sports Live Pro.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Sky Sports World Cup and Sky Go, while US viewers can do the same on ESPN and ESPN Cricket. Audience in the Middle East can watch the match live on OSN Sports, while the action can also be live streamed on OSN Play.
Team news: New Zealand: Tim Southee, the man who picked up seven wickets against England, was a slight injury doubt after being hit on the shoulder during a fielding drill in training, but McCullum allayed those fears and said his striker bowler would be fit, with the skipper, coming off a 25-ball 77 himself, confirming the same XI that beat England would take the field against Australia.
"He is fine, he managed to bowl quite well today [Friday] and we are going to play the same team as well," said McCullum.
Australia: With Clarke returning from injury, it means the man who captained the team in his absence – George Bailey – will miss out, while Pat Cummins will also come in for Josh Hazlewood. The wait for James Faulkner to return from injury continues, with the all-rounder still not deemed fit enough as he continues his recovery from a side strain.
Confirmed lineups: Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.
