Legendary Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has claimed that Michael Clarke's men would love to be playing New Zealand in the World Cup final on March 29, ahead of the nation's semifinal tie against defending champions India on Thursday.
Legendary Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has claimed that Michael Clarke's men would love to be playing New Zealand in the World Cup final on March 29, ahead of the nation's semifinal tie against defending champions India on Thursday.
Hayden claimed that New Zealand's win against South Africa on Tuesday night was a huge result for Australia, adding that assuming that Clarke's men can get past India at the SCG on Thursday, they'd much rather play the final against a New Zealand side that has been sitting in a comfort zone dominating on small grounds for the past two months.
Hayden wrote in his column for News.com.au that there were a number of times last night where the New Zealand batsmen appeared to be hitting big balls but added that they'd be getting caught three quarters of the way to the fence at the MCG. He insisted that they're going to have to change the way they hit the ball.
Hayden said that the size of Eden Park is ridiculous, adding that it shouldn't be a cricket ground. He just believes that New Zealand winning is a huge advantage for Australia on several different levels.
The former left-handed opening batsman stated that New Zealand has a good pace bowling unit but he doesn't believe that they're as good as Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.
He added that from a batting point of view, South Africa has AB de Villiers who is a real athlete and used to playing on big grounds, Hashim Amla who is a master of using the pace of the ball and grew up in Durban where the conditions are very Australian-like and Faf du Plessis who is coming into his own as well.
Hayden claimed that he believes if Australia makes the final they'd love to be playing New Zealand.
Hayden also said that he believes that Australia would obviously defeat India.
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