Australia vs Netherlands: Another World Cup Upset on the Cards?

Australia vs Netherlands: World cup journeys so far

Australia is a cricket giant known for its aggressive batting, potent bowling, and exceptional fielding. They are led by an experienced captain in Pat Cummins and have established themselves as a dominant force in the world cups.

Their reputation as one of the best teams in the world precedes them, but they haven’t been at their absolute best in this mega event so far. They did regain some momentum after beating Pakistan in the last contest.

In the ongoing ODI World Cup, Australia has played four matches, securing two victories. These wins have placed them in a promising position in the points table, gathering valuable points that put them on the path to the tournament's later stages.

On the other hand, the Netherlands, often considered underdogs, have been steadily improving over the years. What makes them exciting is their ability to surprise.

While they may not have the same level of experience as their Australian counterparts, their team spirit and growing talent pool make them a formidable and challenging opponent. 

With an overwhelming win over South Africa, the Dutchmen have proven themselves as world beaters once again. The Dutch team's ability to compete with more established sides is a testament to their growth and potential.

Australia vs Netherlands: Head-to-head

The Kangaroos have a history of dominance in the ODI format, having secured numerous victories in their 50-over encounters. In the two ODI meetings between Australia and the Netherlands, Australia has emerged victorious in both contests.

Pitch Condition

Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi is known for its flat and batting-friendly pitches. Batsmen usually enjoy the true bounce and pace on this ground, making it crucial for bowlers to maintain a disciplined line and length.

The dew factor in the evening may also play a significant role, affecting the bowlers' grip on the ball.

Players to keep an eye on

In every cricket match, there are key players who can turn the tide and make a significant impact. As the Australia vs Netherlands clash unfolds in the ODI World Cup, the spotlight falls on a few standout individuals.

David Warner

With a marvelous ton against Pakistan, the vintage David Warner is well and truly back. The left-handed batsman is in the form of his life and he is someone the Netherlands would be looking to get rid of as soon as possible.

With a 163 against the Men in Green, Warner showed that he’s the man who delivers the good on the big occasions.

The opener likes to go big from the very first ball, and has a habit of punishing bad deliveries regardless of the bowlers’ reputation.

Warner flaunts a healthy average of over 45 in 50-over games. Having played a huge portion of his career in the Indian Premier League, he’s extremely familiar with the conditions of almost every wicket across India.

Max O'Dowd

O'Dowd boasts an impressive average of over 40 in red-ball cricket. However, his promising career in whites for the Dutch side was regrettably cut short by the abolition of the tournament later.

Nevertheless, O'Dowd's abilities have not gone unnoticed, and he continues to be a valuable asset for the Netherlands in the limited-over formats.

As his career progresses, keep an eye on Max O'Dowd. His adaptability, unique style, and strong grounding in technique suggest that he has the potential to be a key figure in Dutch cricket and make significant contributions on the international stage.

With a baseball-like stance, he likes to hit pacers down the ground in the initial phase of the game.

Steve Smith

As the ODI World Cup unfolds, one can't help but keep a keen eye on Steve Smith. He’s been under the radar for a while, but a batter of his quality will look to take on the Netherlands’ bowlers and regain his form. 

Just like Mitchell Marsh, he possesses the capacity to be a game-changer on any given day.

Smith's contributions with the bat and on-field intelligence have the potential to steer Australia to remarkable victories, and his journey continues to be a captivating narrative in the ever-evolving landscape of Australian ODI cricket. 

Mitchell Marsh

He can bowl, he can bat, he can field. Not many teams across Test-playing nations have a player who can open the innings for them, hit in the middle overs, bowl well with the new ball as well as bowl in the death overs.

That’s where Australia’s Mitchell Marsh comes in.

In the last contest, he spanked the Pakistan bowlers around the park and reached his first century of the 2023 World Cup.

To avoid letting the Kangaroos amass a huge target, the Dutchmen would love to see the back of both Marsh and Warner’s shirt. The opening duo brought up a 200-run opening stand in the last game and that propelled Australia to set a target of 368.

Australia vs Netherlands Prediction

On paper, Australia seems to be the firm favourite to sweep the Dutchmen.

If we consider both the historical performance and current form, Australia appears to have the upper hand. With two wins already in the tournament, they have demonstrated their proficiency and determination.

Cummins’ men are sitting at the fourth spot in the points table with four points in the bag. A couple more wins and they will be looking to cement a spot in the final-four sides of the mega event.

On the flip side, the Netherlands, despite being seen as underdogs with just one win in the competition so far, have shown glimpses of promise and the ability to spring surprises.

Australis should bank on the momentum they’ve brought, thanks to Pakistan, and stroll past Scott Edwards’ Netherlands on Wednesday.