Anzac day is April 25th, a day when the bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen is fondly remembered
Anzac day is April 25th, a day when the bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen is fondly remembered.
However, when it comes to sport that fondness is set aside, as a fierce rivalry has developed between the two countries. This combativeness has grown from a "small brother versus big brother" attitude that originated on the rugby field.
On the cricket field, the rivalry grew from the time of the Australian Cricket Board's refusal to accept New Zealand as a fully-fledged Test opponent. This followed a one-off match in 1945-46 and was fuelled by the 1981 underarm incident.
Partly as a result of my brother Greg ordering younger sibling Trevor to deliver the underarm at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in February 1981, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy evolved. The trophy is on the line in ODI series between the two countries and when it was inaugurated I called Greg and told him; "You're responsible for the animosity, if Australia lose you've got to hand over the trophy."
Consequently, I face this upcoming World Cup encounter, where the trophy will be on the line, with a certain amount of trepidation. You see, Greg is safely ensconced in Australia and I'm at the match along with Dayle Hadlee representing the two families at the trophy presentation. Australia is currently the holder of the trophy and I'm dreading having to "hand it over". This shouldn't be the case because Australia is the more talented combination but New Zealand has a nasty habit of playing above itself in these encounters. The Nagpur pitch is a high-scoring haven and Australia is the better equipped to handle such conditions. With Shane Watson in dazzling form and the class of Ricky Ponting, Australia has a strong top-order.
The middle-order has been vulnerable against spin bowling but apart from Daniel Vettori, New Zealand isn't strong in this department.
When it comes to pace bowling, Australia outshines all teams but New Zealand has become well known for it's workmanlike seamers. Kyle Mills has been the pick of the quicker bowlers for New Zealand, but Hamish Bennett showed against the hapless Kenyans he has both pace and potential.u00a0
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The Australian pace bowlers led by Brett Lee should be too much for the fragile New Zealand top-order and consequently Ponting's team are favoured to add to their 24-game unbeaten sequence at the World Cup. At least I bloody well hope that's the case, otherwise I'll be handing over the trophy.
Mind you, all this rivalry stuff is put into perspective with what the people in Christchurch and parts of Australia have suffered recently.
