The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup seemed like it started a long time ago but now, after an enthralling last week of cricket, we are here.
The two host nations have lived up to the hype and now we wait for an epic battle between two very well-balanced sides.
The pool game was an absolute beauty and it was refreshing to see the ball dominate.
It also showed the fragility of both batting line ups if the white ball can swing around.
New Zealand have been a revelation during the World Cup.
They entered as one of the favourites and have been undefeated thus far.
Lead by the rejuvenated and explosive Brendon McCullum, the Kiwis have played an exciting brand of cricket that attacks the opposition from the outset with both bat and ball.
New Zealand’s bowling has been tremendous and a real highlight in this World Cup. They have shown the importance of early wickets and bowling in partnerships.
They possess beautiful seam position that many ex-bowlers like myself marvel at.
Matt Henry came in for the injured Adam Milne and showed the bowling talent New Zealand possess as he hurried on a few of the South African batsmen in the Kiwi’s semi final win.
Daniel Vettori is all class and stifles the opposition, punching out his ten overs in a blink of an eye.
The Aussies will need to attack the likes of Corey Anderson, who conceded around 10 runs per over in the semi final.
The Kiwi’s batting line up is well balanced and very well lead at the top of the order by McCullum.
If he bats for any longer than twenty overs the black caps are well on the way to winning their first World Cup.
Australia must not give the New Zealand skipper any width, thus restricting him to free his hands and dispatch the Kookaburra twenty rows back.
Martin Guptil and Kane Williamson will try and anchor the innings and are two players who can turn starts into big scores.
The middle order has also scored runs in this tournament and their cool-calm nature is not to be underestimated.
Grant Elliot’s innings the other night oozed class as he thrived in the situation.
Ross Taylor has been unusually quiet and I hope this continues.
Anderson and Luke Ronchi pack power and will look to come in and pile on 15 or more runs at the death.
In the opposite locker room, Australia enters the match as clear favourite, playing some consistent cricket over the last couple of weeks.
After a frustrating start with weather, form, injuries and selection queries you feel the Aussies have gathered some real momentum moving into the knockout stages of the tournament.
Bowling and batting line-ups are very well settled and the decision to put Steve Smith at three, coupled with the selection of Josh Hazlewood over Pat Cummins, has been wonderful.
Smith was at his creative best in the semi final and Hazlewood provided much-needed consistency in the early-to-mid overs of that match.
Australia’s batting line up is littered with explosive, inventive big-game players and considering how deep they bat, I think Australia holds the upper hand.
Australia’s batting line up is so destructive and it is crucial openers Aaron Finch and David Warner take the shine off the new balls.
If this happens it will allow the class of Smith, Michael Clarke and Glenn Maxwell to thrive.
Shane Watson and James Faulkner provide stability or power depending on the situation. Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc offer a lengthy tail and all have shown the ability to provide little cameos in the late overs.
Australia’s bowling has been solid all tournament but without Starc they may have struggled[LM3] . Starc has been all but the best bowler of the World Cup!
His ability to get wickets early and late in the innings set him apart from leading wicket-taker of the tournament[LM4] , Trent Boult.
Johnson had been out of sorts until the semi final where he regained his aggression, consistency and, most importantly, confidence.
Hazlewood should again be used early to restrict the Kiwis scoring chances and enable him to extract outswing with the new ball.
Australia’s lack of a front line spinner is an issue. Maxwell is a handy off spinner but lacks the subtle variations and experience to challenge world-class batsmen.
Watson and Faulkner have been serviceable without being brilliant and will need to bowl extremely well to contain the black caps.
This should be an amazing game and I’m predicting an Australian victory for the following reasons:
- My girlfriend is from New Zealand
- Australia has too many match winners with bat and ball
- Michael Clarke’s captaincy is a huge factor for the home team
- The green and gold’s big game experience
- The fact the match is being played at the MCG (half the squad has not played at the ground)
