Two teams that have taken T20 cricket to higher level battle for World Cup prize today:
Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand are expected to produce some electrifying cricket in today’s T20 World Cup final in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates after taking the sport to another level with dramatically stunning performances in the semi finals where they knocked out two of the hottest favourites in Pakistan and England.
While there could be not much of a difference between the two teams by way of balance, the experts rate Australia as the side that holds the edge with more exposed players but others go by the fact that New Zealand move in with plenty of motivation to cause an upset and win a World Cup in cricket for the first time.
The Kiwis will no doubt have more admirers and sympathizers after they were deprived of winning the 50-over World Cup when their final against England ended in a tie and went into a super over in 2019.
Their excellent showing to win the World Test championship by beating India in the final this year has undoubtedly lifted their morale and put them among one of the most talked about teams in the international arena.
But all eyes will definitely be on two players, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Australia’s Matthew Wade whose six-hitting in the last few overs of the semi finals brought victory to their respective teams that left their opponents England and Pakistan emotionally devastated.
Another similarity between the two teams is that while New Zealand had middle order batter Jimmy Neesham to inject some spirit into the team against England that changed the course of their semi final when all seemed lost, Australia also found a new household name in Marcus Stoinis who anchored the innings against top favourites Pakistan until Wade came along and turned near defeat into a sensational win with 41 in only 17 balls.
But if New Zealand has one concern, it could be in the absence of Devon Conway who did something unpardonable when he punched his wooden bat with his gloved fist after he was dismissed for 46 against England that did some considerable damage to his hand. He will be replaced by wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert.
Teams:
Australia (likely team): Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa
New Zealand (likely team): Kane Wiliamson (captain), Martil Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Glenn Phillips, Adam Milner