Overcast conditions could help Kiwi bowlers: Hussey

“If they can get the ball moving in the air and off the seam then they will trouble the Australia batsmen. If the ball doesn’t swing or move off the seam, then the Australia batsmen will look to dominate the Black Caps attack,” said former Aussie opener Mike Hussey.

“Aaron Finch and David Warner are two of the most aggressive one-day players, and Chris Lynn is one of the most powerful hitters in the world. Their natural instincts are to go hard at the bowling, try to put them on the back foot and in a defensive frame of mind and under pressure by looking to hit boundaries,” wrote Hussey on the ICC website. 

“It will be interesting to see the make-up of the Australia attack. Australia coach Darren Lehmann has made no secret of his love for pace bowlers who bowl over the 140kph mark, but I feel there needs to be a balance in the attack,” said Hussey. 

“It would be exciting to see Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson all charging in and bowling thunderbolts. But in English conditions, control and getting the ball to move is important. The grounds are small and when it’s dry, the outfields are lightning quick where a batsman can use the pace of bowlers to great effect,” remarked Hussey.