It’s the summit event in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and a Trans-Tasman rivalry is set to take centrestage, yet again. After playing arguably the best match of the World Cup so far, in Auckland, where Kane Williamson’s cool trumped Mitchell Starc’s heroics, it will be a second consecutive edition where the co-hosts will face off in the final. There is nothing between the two teams. On a good batting wicket in Auckland, the two teams played out a low scoring match. On a lively Melbourne wicket, it is unlikely that there will be a repeat of that contest. The boundary is bigger and so will be the sheer volume of supporters. Also Read- Likely Playing XI & Statistics of AUS vs NZ.
In the earlier game, the teams were settling into the tournament. Australia were rusty and played a game after a 10-day break. New Zealand’s middle order was untested. Since then, there have been plenty of changes that have taken place during the tournament’s run-in. For Australia, it is yet another masterstroke from the Michael Clarke-Darren Lehmann axis that stabilized their batting lineup. Promoting the in-form Steven Smith at No 3 has reaped rich dividends. What that has done is that it has weakened the middle order a bit. Also Read- Black caps should do it for Martin Crowe!
After Glenn Maxwell’s premature dismissal against India, senior players Clarke and Shane Watson struggled to get the big hits and India wrestled back initiative. It was Australia’s deep batting order that saved the day as Mitchell Johnson’s big hitting took the score well past the 300 mark, a feat that both teams have regularly managed to do. Also Read: Brendon McCullum, Steve Smith among 6 Key Players in the final
New Zealand will be playing in their neighbouring country after six long years. Rather strange though and despite many pointing out the fact that New Zealand’s batting carnage has come in stadiums that resemble a garden, many of Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill’s sixes could have cleared even an MCG. Also Read: All the statistics and head-to-head battles between Australia and New Zealand in previous encounters
On paper, Australia have the advantage. Between the two teams, there is only one world cup winner, Clarke. Having seen through the glory years as a youngster and picked up the team as it was faltering in the transition phase and hauling the team back on track again, Clarke has seen it all. Ever since cricketer Phil Hughes’s death, the 4-time winners are determined to get the cup for their friend and countrymen, who, not long ago were on their knees, shattered by the death of a loved son. Also Read: Catch the 3 key battles in the Australia vs New Zealand battle
Mike Hesson and McCullum have forged one of cricket’s remarkable chapters in recent times. Only three years ago, this team was going nowhere and was close to hitting rock bottom, struggling to beat Bangladesh and West Indies. It was a bleak period for the Black Caps and Ross Taylor was booted out of captaincy. The team folded out for 45 against South Africa in a Test match. Kane Williamson couldn’t register a single run in his first two One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
A winning team was forged, bit by bit. McCullum should also thank his thank New Zealand’s conveyor line of young pacers coming in and making their presence felt. Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been on target and so have Starc and Johnson, who roared back to wicket-taking ways with a stupendous performance against India.
Ross Taylor’s scratchy is a worry for the Kiwis while the lower middle order has shown its spirit after their stunning win against South Africa in the semis. Old Warhorse Grant Elliott, who was also a part of the team’s bleak years showed his mettle in the contest. It should be an even contest in all fairness with more runs being scored than the last time these two teams faced. Australia will enjoy the home support in the colossal MCG but the trophy will go to the team that hold its nerve. Will there be a new champion?
Squads:
Australia
Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner.
New Zealand
Brendon McCullum (c), Trent Boult, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Matt Henry, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Timings: 09.00 a.m IST
