Veteran Kiwi bowler Mills confident of bullying 'vulnerable' Oz into submission in CT clash

Veteran New Zealand bowler Kyle Mills has said that his side can bully a vulnerable Australia into submission at their upcoming ICC Champions Trophy match at Edgbaston.

The in-form Black Caps are sensing a chance to reverse their historic role as cricket underdogs and have pledged to tighten the screws even more on Australia's floundering batsmen ahead of the Ashes, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

According to the report, victory for New Zealand would see them into the Champions Trophy semi-finals and defending title-holders Australia most likely crashing out of the tournament.

Stating that the target will be firmly on Australia's top order, who he believes will be looking over their shoulders in fear, Mills said that it will be a positive for the Kiwis if they manage to take advantage of the pressurized Australian top order, who would be feeling the heat to not only win the game but also hold their spot in the team.

Describing Australian opener David Warner as a 'rocks or diamonds' player, Mills said that middle-order batsman Adam Voges would be targeted by firing Kiwi quicks Tim Southee and Mitchell McGlenaghan as well as himself, although he added that former Oz deputy Shane Watson may be the 'wall' between victory and defeat for New Zealand.

According to the report, New Zealand is working hard on injury-plagued veteran Daniel Vettori to battle on with an Achilles problem, and take advantage of Australia's poor record against spin.

According to Mills, Australia is lacking in quality spinners, for which they are backing Vettori to get fit, adding that he is crucial for them in their line-up

Mills, who overtook Muttiah Muralitharan as the leading-wicket taker in the history of the Champions Trophy in New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday, said that beating Australia would be his side's most satisfying result.