Birmingham: Australia and New Zealand will look up to their inspirational skippers Steve Smith and Kane Williamson to straightaway set the tone when they lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy on Friday.
An intriguing battle is on the cards between the trans- Tasman rivals, led by two technically sound captains.
Both are world-class performers with the bat, but they go about their task in a very different manner.
Busy and always energetic on the field, Australia’s Smith is a far cry from the usually calm and calculated New Zealander. As has been the case in recent years, the two consistent performers will be expected to lead from the front tomorrow also.
While multiple-time world champions and Champions Trophy winners Australia are always a tough nut to crack, New Zealand will enter the game at Edgbaston with renewed confidence after their six-wicket warm-up win over Sri Lanka at the same venue.
The Black Caps chased down a mammoth 357-run target with a good 23 balls to spare. Opener Martin Guptill found his form with a blazing century after a scrappy showing in the rain-affected warm-up against India.
Considering the cut-throat nature of the competition, it is important for any team to get off to a winning start and both Australia and New Zealand know it too well.
Australia have an explosive opening pair in Aaron Finch and David Warner, followed by Chris Lynn, one of the most powerful hitters in the world.
The trio would look to go hard at the bowlers and put them on the back foot. Smith will spearhead the middle-order, expected to be supported by the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques.
The Australian captain will have plenty of options in the pace bowling department, with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson all charged up and raring to have a go.
