New Delhi: When the Australian team takes the field against the surprise package Netherlands on Wednesday, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the only thing that will be going inside their mind will be to cement their place in the top 4 with 2 much-needed points.
Australia will be walking into the match as the favourites on paper. However, the way things have turned out in the World Cup so far, nothing can be said, as any team can beat anyone on any given day.
Interestingly, the Netherlands have also pulled one upset already against South Africa in the tournament, and are certainly capable of doing it again.
Australia have won two on the bounce! 🔥
But the Netherlands have shown a lot of grit and resolve. Will they take the fight to the powerhouse opposition? 🤜🤛
Tune-in to #AUSvNED in the #WorldCupOnStar
Today, 12:30 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#CWC23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/0EpeqMeg4n— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 25, 2023
Journey so far
Australia, to everyone’s surprise, started their campaign in a rather underwhelming fashion as they got their worst start at the World Cups since 1992, with two losses in the first two matches, as they lost to India by 6 wickets and to South Africa by 134 runs.
However, they made a much-needed comeback by winning back-to-back matches and sneaking into the top 4. They defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets, followed by a huge 62-run victory over Pakistan.
Bengaluru ODI | October 20, 2023 (18/48)
Australia beat Pakistan by 62 runs in 18th match of ICC men’s world cup 2023.🏏 AUS 🇦🇺 : 367/9
• David Warner – 163 off 124
• Mitchell Marsh – 121 off 108🏏 PAK 🇵🇰 : 305
• Abdullah Shafique –64 off 61
• Imam-ul-Haq –70 off 71
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/5BOic5wLFf— MK Verma 🇮🇳 (@_mkverma) October 22, 2023
Australia is currently at the number 4 spot in the points table with 4 points. Even though their win against the Netherlands would not take them any higher, it will certainly cement their position at the fourth spot, which will be a good enough outcome for the five-time champions.
On the other hand, to no one’s surprise, the Netherlands have lost 3 out of the 4 matches they have played so far. They lost to Pakistan by 81 runs, New Zealand by 99 runs and Sri Lanka by 5 wickets, but the single win that they have came quite convincingly against the rampant South African side, which proves that the Dutch team is not a side to be taken lightly as they can pull an upset against anyone on their given day.
Netherlands team Celebrating their Win vs South africa pic.twitter.com/n2XdgIFwhc
— ‘ (@EdenGardens1214) October 18, 2023
Notably, the Netherlands qualified for the ICC World Cup 2023, after defeating West Indies in the qualifiers, marking this year’s edition of the World Cup, the first edition that does not feature the inaugural champions.
Netherlands beat West Indies🔥🔥🔥
ONE OF THE GREATEST ODI MATCH EVER.🙌👏
– WI scored 374 runs.
– Netherlands scored 374 runs.
– Netherlands scored 30 runs in Super Over.
– WI scored 8 runs in Super Over.#WorldCup2023 #WIvNED #Nederlands #ICCWorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/0oRX1gX9js— Mohid Khan (@mohidkhan1619) June 26, 2023
Head to head
Interestingly, the Dutch and the Aussie side have only met twice and at ODI World Cups, which were the 2003 and 2007 editions of the mega event, the Aussies emerged victorious in both matches, giving the Netherlands one more reason to go all in Wednesday’s match.
