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Australia have advantage due to home conditions: Stephen Fleming
Melbourne: Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming on Saturday said the Michael Clarke-led Australia side has a slight advantage because they know the conditions better than the Black Caps.
Four-time world champion Australia face New Zealand in the much awaited cricket World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
Co-hosts New Zealand entered the final of the World Cup for the first time with a victory over South Africa in the semi-finals.
“That is not some Kiwi self-deprecation on my part, but rather an acknowledgement that Michael Clarke’s side has a slight advantage because they know the conditions better than the Black Caps,” Fleming wrote in a column for the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday.
“The MCG is a home venue for the Aussies, after all, and although a drop-in pitch nullifies that advantage to a degree, it means the Australians will still have a command of things as subtle as the effect of the wind or the angles of the playing arena.”
But the 41-year-old said that the Black Caps can win.
“Yes, Brendon McCullum’s men can win, but as to whether they will, that is absolutely in the balance with the odds favouring Australia – but only just,” he said.
The former skipper said that the Kiwis should not be worried about the size of the ground but be excited at the prospect of creating history.
“Instead, rather than being daunted or overawed about the stadium, I expect this New Zealand side to be excited at the prospect of creating history and to rise to the occasion because the bigger the challenge, the more determined they have become,” he said.
Fleming said that it will be a good contest between the bat and ball at the start of the two innings with both sides having strengths in both the bowling and batting departments.
“I believe the tone for the occasion will be set by the start of the two innings. On the one hand it will be McCullum against Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and on the other it will be David Warner and Aaron Finch against Trent Boult and Tim Southee.”
The former batsman said the ground’s big boundaries will provide plenty of scope for veteran spinner Daniel Vettori to show his full range of skills.
“The good thing from a New Zealand perspective is that the MCG’s big boundaries will provide plenty of scope for Daniel Vettori to show his full range of skills, and his ability with the ball means that, in one area at least, the Black Caps are clearly ahead of their rivals,” he said.
He pointed out that whether the Kiwis win or lose, they have already made the country proud.
“Win or lose, New Zealand’s players have done their country proud but they will want to make sure they leave nothing in the dressing room because the chance to play in a World Cup final is as special as it gets,” Fleming concluded.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.