 "World Cup Final: A Trans-Tasman Battle")
The cricket rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is somewhat peculiar. It lacks the antipathy that plagues the India-Pakistan rivalry or the emulous nature of the Australia-England engagement, yet it captivates every time it is on show. But for the last few years, cricketing ties between the two countries have been subdued, with the teams last playing a bilateral series back in 2009-10. In a lot of ways, this was a duel that was crying out for revival. The World Cup has provided us with just that.
At Auckland's Eden Park last month, the two sides played out one of the dramas of the tournament. It was a feisty encounter that saw the home team barely making their way over the finish line. If we see anything similar when they meet again in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, we would be more than content. For years, New Zealand has been like the younger Tasman sibling who has rarely been taken seriously. No longer. The Kiwis have finally woken up from their slumber and are playing a fearless brand of cricket that can slay the old enemy on Sunday.
The explosiveness of skipper Brendon McCullum up top, the steadiness of Kane Williamson in the middle and a fast bowling attack that has tormented opposition batsmen with pace and swing - the Kiwis' charge to the final has been almost perfect. They were truly tested only against South Africa in the semi-final in a match that had the nerves jangling, but the Black Caps did well to come out of it unscathed.
However, in Australia they run into a team that can compete with them in all departments. McCullum can be matched by David Warner, Williamson by Steven Smith, Corey Anderson by Glenn Maxwell and Trent Boult by Mitchell Johnson or Mitchell Starc. It is seldom that we see two teams so evenly placed.
Against India in the semi-final in Sydney on Thursday, Australia put in their strongest performance yet - big runs with the bat followed by a clinical showing with the ball. After the win, Aussie skipper Michael Clarke said that it was his team's loss against the Kiwis in Auckland that gave them the kick they needed to spur them into a string of impressive wins. Their form since that loss has been phenomenal, with five convincing wins on the bounce.
So in a battle of equals, who has the upper hand? Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad feels that it's a tough call. "I still feel that New Zealand is the more dangerous of the two teams. At the same time, it will be difficult to bet against Australia since they have the home advantage," says Gaekwad.
In the run-up to the final, New Zealand have played all their games at home. This will be the first time they'll be playing on Aussie soil. In fact, with the Kiwis accustomed to grounds the size of postage stamps, the massive outfield at MCG may have a crucial say in the outcome. At MCG - where the square boundary is more than 75 metres on either side - the task of clearing the ropes for the likes of McCullum and Martin Guptill will be significantly harder. But former Indian off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna feels that the size of the ground may not be a factor. "Hitting sixes at MCG is difficult. But at the same time, taking wickets is easier, " he points out. "Also, New Zealand have played in Australia numerous times before. This is no real disadvantage."
However, New Zealand has to show it is ready for the big stage. It is a young team comprising players who haven't had a taste of crunch finals before. Australia, on the other hand, boast of players who have lifted the trophy. But there are other things that Australia have to worry about. Warner has had a barren run after pulverising a hapless Afghanistan early in the tournament. Against India, Clarke showed he is still short on confidence. "The Australian batting revolves around the opening pair and Smith. One of these three guys has to make a big score for Australia to win, " says Prasanna.
In a tournament where batsmen have dominated, Gaekwad feels that the middle overs will be pivotal. "Batsmen tend to go berserk post the 30th over these days. If the bowling team can bowl tidily during that period, then they gain a huge advantage," he says. Perhaps New Zealand can take heart because Prasanna says that they have a more balanced attack than the Australians. "Their attack has more variety," he says. He adds that the smaller Tasman Sea nation has provided an impressive brand of cricket, and he would "personally love to see them win".
After over a month of riveting cricket, it's time for fans to take sides for the final time. For the players, this is a chance to cement their place in cricket folklore. MCG will, hopefully, provide a fitting end to a great tournament.
The pitch
The wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has played excellently so far. In the two matches India played there, they managed to post scores of more than 300 while batting first and were successful in bowling out the opposition cheaply on both occasions - a fair indication that the pitch slows down a tad in the second half and spinners play a vital role. However, the pitch does offer bounce for the pacers and the ball moves around under the lights - something that both attacks will look forward to.
As we saw in the India-Australia game on Thursday, the toss often has a telling impact in big matches. Australia chose to bat first and put up a huge total. India could never come to grips with a rapidly climbing required run rate and surrendered meekly in the end. Batting first and intimidating the opposition with a big target has been the trend in big games. Expect the team that wins the toss on Sunday to do the same.
The odds
After Australia's emphatic win over India, bookmakers across the Tasman Sea are heavily backing them to win on Sunday. New Zealand's leading betting firm, TAB, has placed Australia as favourites at $1.46 and New Zealand at $2.55, that is, for every dollar you put in you are likely to get back 46 cents if Clarke's team wins and a whopping $1.55 if McCullum's kids canter home. Australia's Centrebet too puts Australia ahead at $1.42 and New Zealand at $2.90. The UK's William Hill is offering identical odds on the two teams.
Amid all the talk of quality fast bowling, there is one man who may end up playing a prominent role on Sunday - a certain Daniel Vettori. The 36-year-old has been at his wily best in the tournament and will be keen to end his international career on a high. On a pitch that will provide some assistance to the tweakers, Vettori's involvement will be key.
The Aussies aren't the best players of spin and this is where the Kiwis can make a difference. Moreover, Australia may rue the lack of a quality spinner in their squad. Xavier Doherty, the only specialist spinner in their ranks, is hardly world-class and is unlikely to get a game. Glenn Maxwell may be called upon to do a fair bit of bowling. And he is no Vettori, you can be sure.
At Auckland's Eden Park last month, the two sides played out one of the dramas of the tournament. It was a feisty encounter that saw the home team barely making their way over the finish line. If we see anything similar when they meet again in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, we would be more than content. For years, New Zealand has been like the younger Tasman sibling who has rarely been taken seriously. No longer. The Kiwis have finally woken up from their slumber and are playing a fearless brand of cricket that can slay the old enemy on Sunday.
The explosiveness of skipper Brendon McCullum up top, the steadiness of Kane Williamson in the middle and a fast bowling attack that has tormented opposition batsmen with pace and swing - the Kiwis' charge to the final has been almost perfect. They were truly tested only against South Africa in the semi-final in a match that had the nerves jangling, but the Black Caps did well to come out of it unscathed.
However, in Australia they run into a team that can compete with them in all departments. McCullum can be matched by David Warner, Williamson by Steven Smith, Corey Anderson by Glenn Maxwell and Trent Boult by Mitchell Johnson or Mitchell Starc. It is seldom that we see two teams so evenly placed.
Against India in the semi-final in Sydney on Thursday, Australia put in their strongest performance yet - big runs with the bat followed by a clinical showing with the ball. After the win, Aussie skipper Michael Clarke said that it was his team's loss against the Kiwis in Auckland that gave them the kick they needed to spur them into a string of impressive wins. Their form since that loss has been phenomenal, with five convincing wins on the bounce.
So in a battle of equals, who has the upper hand? Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad feels that it's a tough call. "I still feel that New Zealand is the more dangerous of the two teams. At the same time, it will be difficult to bet against Australia since they have the home advantage," says Gaekwad.
In the run-up to the final, New Zealand have played all their games at home. This will be the first time they'll be playing on Aussie soil. In fact, with the Kiwis accustomed to grounds the size of postage stamps, the massive outfield at MCG may have a crucial say in the outcome. At MCG - where the square boundary is more than 75 metres on either side - the task of clearing the ropes for the likes of McCullum and Martin Guptill will be significantly harder. But former Indian off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna feels that the size of the ground may not be a factor. "Hitting sixes at MCG is difficult. But at the same time, taking wickets is easier, " he points out. "Also, New Zealand have played in Australia numerous times before. This is no real disadvantage."
However, New Zealand has to show it is ready for the big stage. It is a young team comprising players who haven't had a taste of crunch finals before. Australia, on the other hand, boast of players who have lifted the trophy. But there are other things that Australia have to worry about. Warner has had a barren run after pulverising a hapless Afghanistan early in the tournament. Against India, Clarke showed he is still short on confidence. "The Australian batting revolves around the opening pair and Smith. One of these three guys has to make a big score for Australia to win, " says Prasanna.
In a tournament where batsmen have dominated, Gaekwad feels that the middle overs will be pivotal. "Batsmen tend to go berserk post the 30th over these days. If the bowling team can bowl tidily during that period, then they gain a huge advantage," he says. Perhaps New Zealand can take heart because Prasanna says that they have a more balanced attack than the Australians. "Their attack has more variety," he says. He adds that the smaller Tasman Sea nation has provided an impressive brand of cricket, and he would "personally love to see them win".
After over a month of riveting cricket, it's time for fans to take sides for the final time. For the players, this is a chance to cement their place in cricket folklore. MCG will, hopefully, provide a fitting end to a great tournament.
The pitch
The wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has played excellently so far. In the two matches India played there, they managed to post scores of more than 300 while batting first and were successful in bowling out the opposition cheaply on both occasions - a fair indication that the pitch slows down a tad in the second half and spinners play a vital role. However, the pitch does offer bounce for the pacers and the ball moves around under the lights - something that both attacks will look forward to.
As we saw in the India-Australia game on Thursday, the toss often has a telling impact in big matches. Australia chose to bat first and put up a huge total. India could never come to grips with a rapidly climbing required run rate and surrendered meekly in the end. Batting first and intimidating the opposition with a big target has been the trend in big games. Expect the team that wins the toss on Sunday to do the same.
The odds
After Australia's emphatic win over India, bookmakers across the Tasman Sea are heavily backing them to win on Sunday. New Zealand's leading betting firm, TAB, has placed Australia as favourites at $1.46 and New Zealand at $2.55, that is, for every dollar you put in you are likely to get back 46 cents if Clarke's team wins and a whopping $1.55 if McCullum's kids canter home. Australia's Centrebet too puts Australia ahead at $1.42 and New Zealand at $2.90. The UK's William Hill is offering identical odds on the two teams.
Amid all the talk of quality fast bowling, there is one man who may end up playing a prominent role on Sunday - a certain Daniel Vettori. The 36-year-old has been at his wily best in the tournament and will be keen to end his international career on a high. On a pitch that will provide some assistance to the tweakers, Vettori's involvement will be key.
The Aussies aren't the best players of spin and this is where the Kiwis can make a difference. Moreover, Australia may rue the lack of a quality spinner in their squad. Xavier Doherty, the only specialist spinner in their ranks, is hardly world-class and is unlikely to get a game. Glenn Maxwell may be called upon to do a fair bit of bowling. And he is no Vettori, you can be sure.