If New Zealand’s bad, Australia’s not much better

Andrew Alderson, writing for the New Zealand Herald, says the more experienced – in terms of World Cup appearances – New Zealand should fancy their chances against Australia in Nagpur on February 25, and success there could fuel knock-out round benefits.

Australia won the ODI series 6-1 against England but it was against a team struggling to focus after the Ashes triumph. They are struggling for pinch-hitters and slow bowling options. Their best effort was in the sixth match, chasing down a target of 334 to beat England in Sydney but they were also walloped by India in a warm-up that showed they may struggle against spin on the subcontinent.

Alderson, in the same newspaper, says though Brendon McCullum faces obstacles, he could hold the advantage over Ross Taylor to take over as New Zealand’s captain after the World Cup.