HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for AUS vs NZ ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 27

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HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is all set to stage it's fifth and final ICC World Cup 2023 match as Australia and New Zealand lock horns in the 27th match of the show-piece tournament on Saturday (October 28).

Pat Cummins-led Australia will look to maintain their winnings streak, having won three successive matches following two opening game defeats in the tournament, while Tom Latham's New Zealand will look to bounce back and get back in the win column after their only loss in the tournament.

Australia, who lost their campaign opener on a challenging surface in Chennai, played their second match on an equally challenging surface in Lucknow, where they suffered their second defeat in as many games. However, on a similar wicket, they secured their first win.

In the next two matches, Australia played on batting friendly wickets in Bengaluru and Delhi, where they put pressure on the opposition by posting totals over 350 and continued their winning run.

New Zealand, on the other hand, secured their opening two wins on flat tracks in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad before back to back wins on a little challenging surfaces in Chennai. The Blackcaps, however, posted a below par score in their recent loss in Dharamsala.

Both teams have seen one of their games affected by weather, but the delay did not last long nor had much impact as the full match was played. However, Dharamsala has seen one game affected by rain and one by mist.

And with some parts of the country witnessing showers in the last few days, here is a look at the weather forecast, pitch report and conditions heading into AUS vs NZ ICC World Cup 2023 match 27:

Dharamsala Weather Forecast on October 28

There is no chance of rain or thunderstorm in Dharamsala on Saturday (October 28). There is prediction for a cool day with hazy sunshine. The temperature during the playing hours is expected to fluctuate from 17° C to 20° C.

The earlier games have been affected by rain and mist, but as this is a day match, there is no chance of mist affecting play in AUS vs NZ. So, weather is unlikely to interrupt play in the match. While the weather and dew is unlikely to cause concerns, will the wicket be any different?

HPCA Stadium pitch report for AUS vs NZ World Cup match

As per reports, only three pitches, all black soil, of the nine have been selected to be used for the World Cup. In the four matches held so far, there have been contrasting results with two ending in favour of the team chasing and the other two in favour of the team setting a target.

The first match saw Bangladesh bundle out Afghanistan for 156 and chase the target down with 6 wickets and 15.2 overs to spare, while the second match saw England defend a total of 364/9, the highest at the venue, as they bundled out Bangladesh for 227.

In the third match that was reduced to 43 overs per side due to rain, Netherlands defended 243 against South Africa, while India chased down 274 with two overs to spare against New Zealand in the most recent match.

Despite the boundaries being on the shorter side on the squares, only one innings has seen a score of over 350. Also, the average total in the limited number of matches at this venue has increased from 197 to 211.

The average score batting first at the venue in 2023 World Cup, however, is slightly better at 258, but the outfield is a cause for concern for teams fielding at the venue, which has already seen one day match, which ended a low-scoring affair.

Overall, the record suggests teams have struggled to post total above 250 at this venue in ODIs and the teams batting second have won five of the eight One Day Internationals played here. So, expect the pattern to continue even on Saturday (October 28) as an early start could assist pacers.