CWC: Haddin claims protracted brake ahead of Kiwi clash will not affect Oz momentum

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin has said that the extra time-off their team has got ahead of their high-voltage World Cup clash against New Zealand on Saturday would not affect the team in any way, claiming that their pacemen are better when they are fresh.

Australia's build up to the New Zealand clash was hampered when their second match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to Cyclone Marcia. The co-hosts had started their World Cup campaign on a winning note as they demolished England in the opener, but it has been long since then and they haven't faced any opponent on the field.

Australia has been forced to wait a full two weeks for their turn to take the field in the World Cup. Moreover, their skipper Michael Clarke's return to the team also suffered when the Bangladesh game was washed out, News.com.au reported.

However, wicketkeeper Haddin insists that Australia won't give up an advantage to the high-flying hosts.

Haddin said that he doesn't believe that they do not have any advantage against New Zealand, adding that with the way their schedule has been, they have played a lot of cricket throughout the summer and insisted that their fast bowlers have always said that they're better when they're fresh anyway.

The prospect of Mitchell Johnson and Starc charging in fresh and firing would be welcome news to the Australians, given the way New Zealand spearhead Tim Southee destroyed England with seven-wickets with his swing bowling.

However, the bigger concern for Australia would be the top order batsmen maintaining their rhythm.

Winner of the Eden Park showdown would likely decide who tops the pool, but either way both sides would remain on track to host a semi-final in their own countries.

Haddin said that this game was always going to be a big, exciting game to play in, adding that two host nations coming together, he doesn't believe the washout raises the stakes of the game any more than it already was.

The wicketkeeper claimed that it would obviously be sold out at Eden Park, adding that New Zealand are playing some really good cricket at the moment and they're the team everyone is talking about, so it would be good for Australia to test themselves against them.