The stage is finally set for the World Cup final.
Since their respective resounding victories over England, Australia and New Zealand have been held in the highest regard amongst the World Cup’s competitors. They are the form teams; who also happen to be the home teams. Somewhat conveniently, they were also the two biggest teams as the 2015 World Cup commenced. So, it’s only natural that they would clash in the biggest game on the calendar year.
Many are thankful for that, too.
Despite South Africa and India putting on some fantastic displays during their oh-so-close journey to the semi-finals; it was at Eden Park where the usual fireworks turned into a game of cricket not lost on the memories of viewers for a long time. Having bowled Australia out with a surprising level of ease: one not-even-close-to replicated again in the proceeding matches leading up to the final. New Zealand would’ve looked at a paltry score of 151 and patted themselves on the back; their bowling was getting better and better with each passing game.
Yet, after their usual vigorous chase commenced, Brendon McCullum fell, Ross Taylor fell, Martin Guptill fell; and before they knew it, Mitchell Starc was on a hattrick. Just as the domination of England at Eden Park two games previously announced Tim Southee’s swing bowling to the world; so too was Mitchell Starc’s yorkers thrust into the limelight; and Kane Williamson had a job on his hands: one wicket left, an immense spectacle unfolding before him. There was no way the Aussies could do it, could they? Overturn an abhorred batting performance and transform it into one of the best bowling performances of any World Cup game in the last decade; it was a tall order.
And alas, was to be unfulfilled. Kane Williamson’s majestic drive ensured that.
But as the game came to its abrupt, yet energetic end, most cricket fans were looking at the two sides and postulating the mouth-watering possibility of a home final; for both hosts. Australia versus New Zealand; ready to excite audiences and thrill onlookers once again.
However, it is a very different ballgame at the MCG.
Gone are the tiny boundaries of Eden Park, replaced with the open expanse of Australia’s most infamous sporting ground. Gone are the pockets of explosive support from the Kiwi fans: replaced with a cauldron of noise emanating from a ninety-thousand strong crowd ready to see two giants of the cricketing world collide once again. Where Eden Park – also known as Brendon McCullum’s folly – favoured the explosiveness of the Kiwi batting lineup and the ferocity of their pace attack; the MCG requires a battle of wits, of line and length versus technique and survival.
It’s a completely different ballgame.
As the crowds flourish and the stands fill the anticipating rests on multiple questions: will Australia do what it set out to do; make good on its best chance to regain the World Cup; in its own backyard; or will New Zealand ride their surging wave of form and surprise their rivals from across the ditch? Whose pace attack will prevail? The surging form of Trent Boult and Tim Southee or the lethality of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood?
As the game draws closer, most will be anticipating a show of hitting; the likes of Brendon McCullum and David Warner to impact from the outset, whilst Glenn Maxwell and semi-final hero Grant Elliott constitute the secret weapons if things go pear-shaped. Equally balanced, then, it seems the final should live up to its billing: coming off of the back of an intense semi-final against South Africa, it would be a testament to New Zealand’s outstanding run should they conquer the Australians. But the Aussies, as they would prefer; go in as favourites.
Disastrous for some; wondrous for others. The World Cup has provided the excitement all cricket fans pine for. This is it’s last chance to show what the World’s best two teams can do: and decide who’s sitting on top of the world at the end of it all.
