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Australia vs New Zealand - Cricket World Cup Final preview
As Sunday’s final at last draws to a close a World Cup that started nearly 2 months ago, few can deny that the two preeminent sides of this tournament are undeserving of their place at the MCG. This World Cup has exposed myths about competitive matches between full members, about outdated notions on how to play One Day cricket and about bowlers being an endangered species. Most of all it brought a nation to its feet as New Zealand finally made it past a World Cup semi final.
What is clear is that Australia and New Zealand boast the best bowling attacks in this World Cup and, for all the 6s and double-tonnes, that is what has made the difference. Mitchell Starc has taken 20 wickets in 7 matches at a frankly staggering 3.65 rpo. Trent Boult is the leading wicket taker and Dan Vettori, at 36, can still bowl at under 4 rpo, take 15 wickets and jump 10 feet in the air to take a catch.
What is also clear is that we shouldn’t read too much into Australia’s defeat in the group stages. Eden Park is a very different venue to the MCG and Australia have the crucial advantage of having played in 6 previous finals. Due to the joint-hosts arrangement New Zealand have played all their games at home and not had any practice clearing the ropes at the larger MCG. Of the current NZ side only Dan Vettori played in this year’s Big Bash (with Jesse Ryder not making the 30 man squad). That said plenty of the current side have IPL experience (although that isn’t always an advantage in ODI cricket) and will know exactly what to expect.
And what of Australia? It was only 2 years ago that the nucleus of the current side arrived on English shores lampooned as the worst side ever to wear the Baggy Green and an embarrassment to their country. Today they’re favourites to list the World Cup yet again, and red hot favourites for the Ashes starting in just 3 months. Johnson and Watson have gone from being dropped for failure to complete homework to writing the course textbooks.
Intriguingly there have no real stand-out stars in this Australia side. Consistency and aggression from Steve Smith, Powerful batting down the order from Brad Haddin, fast scoring from Glenn Maxwell. Overall this team gives the impression of being just that; a team. The wickets have been shared around, the runs have been shared around, they’ve even managed to avoid off-field scandals.
New Zealand will hope the ball swings in Melbourne as the Australian bowlers will probably have the edge if it doesn’t. If Australia bat first and the ball fails to swing, New Zealand will really be up against it. What has been impressive about the Kiwis though is how they take on the mantra of “it’s my job to win the game”. In matches where McCallum or Williamson have failed, others like Guptill have stepped up (and some).
In two months we’ve seen associates show that they won’t go quietly. We’ve seen England look like they will be amongst the teams having to qualify next time round and we’ve eventually seen the two best teams reach the final. Finally here’s a thought that will keep Aussies awake at night in fear of losing though. If New Zealand win on Sunday they will hold the Rugby World Cup, the Bledisloe Cup, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and the Cricket World Cup. Sweet as.
Continue reading the Original Post.
Australia vs New Zealand - Cricket World Cup Final preview
As Sunday’s final at last draws to a close a World Cup that started nearly 2 months ago, few can deny that the two preeminent sides of this tournament are undeserving of their place at the MCG. This World Cup has exposed myths about competitive matches between full members, about outdated notions on how to play One Day cricket and about bowlers being an endangered species. Most of all it brought a nation to its feet as New Zealand finally made it past a World Cup semi final.
What is clear is that Australia and New Zealand boast the best bowling attacks in this World Cup and, for all the 6s and double-tonnes, that is what has made the difference. Mitchell Starc has taken 20 wickets in 7 matches at a frankly staggering 3.65 rpo. Trent Boult is the leading wicket taker and Dan Vettori, at 36, can still bowl at under 4 rpo, take 15 wickets and jump 10 feet in the air to take a catch.
What is also clear is that we shouldn’t read too much into Australia’s defeat in the group stages. Eden Park is a very different venue to the MCG and Australia have the crucial advantage of having played in 6 previous finals. Due to the joint-hosts arrangement New Zealand have played all their games at home and not had any practice clearing the ropes at the larger MCG. Of the current NZ side only Dan Vettori played in this year’s Big Bash (with Jesse Ryder not making the 30 man squad). That said plenty of the current side have IPL experience (although that isn’t always an advantage in ODI cricket) and will know exactly what to expect.
And what of Australia? It was only 2 years ago that the nucleus of the current side arrived on English shores lampooned as the worst side ever to wear the Baggy Green and an embarrassment to their country. Today they’re favourites to list the World Cup yet again, and red hot favourites for the Ashes starting in just 3 months. Johnson and Watson have gone from being dropped for failure to complete homework to writing the course textbooks.
Intriguingly there have no real stand-out stars in this Australia side. Consistency and aggression from Steve Smith, Powerful batting down the order from Brad Haddin, fast scoring from Glenn Maxwell. Overall this team gives the impression of being just that; a team. The wickets have been shared around, the runs have been shared around, they’ve even managed to avoid off-field scandals.
New Zealand will hope the ball swings in Melbourne as the Australian bowlers will probably have the edge if it doesn’t. If Australia bat first and the ball fails to swing, New Zealand will really be up against it. What has been impressive about the Kiwis though is how they take on the mantra of “it’s my job to win the game”. In matches where McCallum or Williamson have failed, others like Guptill have stepped up (and some).
In two months we’ve seen associates show that they won’t go quietly. We’ve seen England look like they will be amongst the teams having to qualify next time round and we’ve eventually seen the two best teams reach the final. Finally here’s a thought that will keep Aussies awake at night in fear of losing though. If New Zealand win on Sunday they will hold the Rugby World Cup, the Bledisloe Cup, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and the Cricket World Cup. Sweet as.
Continue reading the Original Post.
