An in-form Australia would look to stitch a few more wins together before featuring in the semi-finals as they face New Zealand in the ongoing edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Australia have registered the highest points in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 points tally, while New Zealand are at the third spot.

Five-time World Cup winners, Australia, is the only team to have booked a semi-final place in this tournament. The Kiwis, meanwhile, are one point away from a confirmed place in the semis.

The Kane Williamson-led Kiwi team had a dream start to the World Cup campaign as they were unbeaten in their first six matches of the Cricket World Cup. It is their bowling unit which has risen up to the occasion irrespective of their batting performances.

Seam bowler Lockie Ferguson has led their pace bowling, picking up 15 wickets from six matches. Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme have not been among wickets but the duo has bowled brilliantly and well in tandem with Lockie Ferguson to sustain the pressure from the other end.

Boult and Grandhomme have nine and five wickets from six matches, however, with an impressive economy of 4.46 and 4.47 runs each. The bowling attack will have to be at their best against an in-form Australia.

As far as their batting is concerned, the Kiwis have heavily depended on Williamson and Ross Taylor to bail them out of any kind of situation. In their matchup against Pakistan, batting-all-rounder James Neesham also showed what he is capable of with the bat, if and when needed.

The Black Caps were once reeling at 46/4 against the Green Brigade before Neesham’s 112-ball 97-run helped them to reach a respectable total.

With 414 runs from five innings, Williamson’s batting average is unbelievable, an astounding 138. A great deal will rely upon him against a deadly Aussie pace unit. The Kiwi top order has also been a massive disappointment this World Cup and they would look to get a good start from their top order this time around.

Australia, meanwhile, have only improved with each passing match. The Aaron Finch-led side have players who are proven match-winners and can single-handedly win them matches on their day.

Openers Aaron Finch and David Warner have been in phenomenal form this tournament. Both are the two top run-getters in this World Cup. This is so far, the most successful opening partnership in the World Cup.

The bowling too has been splendid – Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins picking up 19 and 11 wickets each.

Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon have moreover, added a lot more variety and zip into their bowling and it does not seem a unidimensional bowling attack anymore.

With an impressive side, studded with match winners, Australia will be eager to reinforce their position at the top while the Kiwis will try and come back to winning ways after an off day against Pakistan.

Fans can expect another nail-biter on Saturday as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 finalists meet once again at the mega stage with a lot to play for.

The teams meet at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Action begins at 6 pm (IST).

Squads:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell