Big defeats against clinical hosts India and a rampaging South Africa might have rocked the Australian camp temporarily, but the five-time ODI World Cup champions have turned the tide with resounding wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, Australia's performances in the previous two games were not perfect, and the middle-order and fast-bowling department is still yet to fire the way it can. Netherlands would be mindful of these vulnerabilities when they take on the Aussies for match number 24 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Delhi on Wednesday. (Match Blog | Scorecard | Streaming | Full Coverage)
After a memorable victory against South Africa, the Dutch had to face a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. But the Scott Edwards-led team can take heart from the way they fought in that game. After slumping to 91/6, an outstanding seventh-wicket stand between Holland's Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek took them to a fighting total of 262. With the ball, too, Netherlands started well and dealt two early blows, but the Lankan just proved to be better on the day.
On paper, Australia are the favourites to win Wednesday's game. But if the Dutch's World Cup performances so far are anything to go by, they are a side that can never be taken lightly.
Let's take a look at three key battles that could prove to be decisive in the AUS vs NED game in Delhi.
David Warner Vs Paul van Meekeren
Veteran Australia opener David Warner finally showed simply how dangerous he can be in the World Cup with a blockbuster knock of 163 against Pakistan. The diminutive southpaw punished every single bowler and looked in a murderous mood. He will look to carry that form into Wednesday's match, and the Netherlands pace attack will try its best to stop him. Paul van Meekeren will be at the heart of that effort, as he will try to exhibit the same dogged spirit and skills that he has so far to help take Netherland this far. The right-arm pacer is disciplined and has a good yorker, both traits that will come in handy against an aggressive Warner.
Steve Smith Vs Aryan Dutt
Usually the batting lynchpin of the Australian team, Steve Smith has been fairly subdued in the World Cup so far. He has had one duck and two single-digit scores, with a best of 46 against India in their opening clash. But one cannot keep a batter like Smith down for too long. He is due for a big one and might find the Netherlands attack suitable for a revival of his prime form. Trying his best to stop that from happening will be the 20-year-old Aryan Dutt, a Delhi-origin player who has caught cricket enthusiasts' attention with his right-arm off-spin. The tall youngster will pose an interesting challenge to Smith, who is generally a good player of spin
Adam Zampa Vs Scott Edwards
After an indifferent first two games, leg-spinner Adam Zampa has come into his own in the next two, picking up back-to-back four-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The fruitful spells have resulted in two wins for Australia, which proves the kind of impact Zampa has. He will look to spin a web around the Dutch batting order with his zippy leg-break deliveries, but Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards, who was raised in Australia, could well turn out to be Zampa's kryptonite. Edwards is an attacking batter and is particularly strong while sweeping and reverse-sweeping the spinners. Given both players' key roles, this battle could be instrumental in the larger scheme of things.
