World Cup Cricket Tournament is being staged in the Southern Hemisphere for only the second time. After a month and a half it has reached the final stage. The Co-hosts of the tournament have advanced to the final at MCG to the great delight of the people of Australia and New Zealand. Australia won the tournament for record four times in the past. New Zealand had never even appeared in the final before. In 2015 however New Zealand is the only unbeaten team so far having won all eight matches they have played. Their list of victims also includes their final opponent Australia in the pool match.

Some experts rate Australia higher than New Zealand in final given their extensive experience of playing in the finals of major events and for the records of winning but if form and fitness are   measure of success, the possibility of New Zealand cannot be dismissed just like that. In this world cup New Zealand has played some of their finest cricket at world stage. Australia on the other hand has greater depth and higher quality all round cricketers. The home advantage of Australia may also work in their favor. New Zealand at MCG will appear for the first time in this tournament outside their home condition. Considering all pros and cons Sunday MCG Trans-Tasman duel is shaping up to a battle Royal.

How the Teams Progressed to the Final?


The format of World Cup was arranged in such a way by ICC that New Zealand till the final could play all its matches –all pool Matches, Quarter Final and Semi Final at home. New Zealand did win all the matches Australia had to travel to New Zealand to play them in the pool match. That is the only match Australia lost in a keenly contest low scoring encounter. The cohosts were placed in the same Pool along with Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland. The tournament kicked off with matches between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka and Australia Vs England on the very first day .They hosts convincingly beat their opponents. New Zealand went on winning all Pool Matches against Scotland, England, Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They were only stretched to limit against Australia. The only other match that created some contest was against Bangladesh. Australia on the other hand proved too strong for all opponents other than New Zealand. The match against Bangladesh was abandoned and points shared for rain interruption.

New Zealand crushed West Indies in the quarter final and then won a thriller against South Africa in the Semi Final. Australia disposed off Indian Sub continental challenges of Pakistan and India in quarter and semifinal.

The final at Cricket Coliseum MCG now promises to generate an epic contest.

In batting, bowling and in fielding or in every aspects of the game the teams are so evenly matched. Blaster Bredon McCullam and consistent Martin Guptill are definitely comparable with David Warner and Aaron Flinch in setting the stages to fire with fiery strokes. In recent times Steve Smith and Williamson have done enough to prove their huge budding talents. At number four we are not sure whether Ross Taylor or Micheal Clark are performing better .May be these champions are saving their best for the final. Corey Anderson and Glen Maxwell are equally destructive with their bat at late middle order. We are aware what Shane Watson and Grant Elliot can do in full flow. With such galaxies of batting talent in the opposing teams will it be anything over expectation to consider a cracker of a contest in the finals?

Tent Boult and Tim Southee compare apples to apple with Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson with the New Ball. Both the pair can be equally destructive on their days. Henry in first appearance proved that he is also comparable with Josh Hazelwood. We would rate Danielle Vittori as better spinner than Glen Maxwell. Now comparing apple to apple can there be any doubt in concluding that the final of World Cup cricket 2015 is going to be held between two equally matched teams at their top forms?

The teams are very sharp and agile in the field as well. They move like panthers and chase like cheetah. True the huge stadium, 90,000 plus cheering spectators may add spices to the contest. New Zealand is not used to playing in front of huge audience very regularly. Their grounds are smaller .This being the first time that Kiwis /Black Caps appears in the final of a major event there may be some nerves . But otherwise it is another game another contest .New Zealand used to appear in bilateral contest with Australia regularly in the not too distant past.

Australia has the luxury of plenty. George Bailey despite of prolific form cannot get into the side, Micheal Clark is leading the team. Mitchel Marsh also finds his door temporarily shut as more experienced Shane Watson is preferred over him. New Zealand has fewer problems like this. Enigmatic Brendon McCullam is leading the team from the front.

The main matter to see on Sunday would be how Kiwi openers handle Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson and how David Warner and Aaron Flinch play Tim Southee and Trent Boult.In this world cup at almost every match MCG the wicket appeared as flat deck full of runs. If the team winning the toss can put up a decent opening stand a score of 320 plus may set up a cracker of a contest. Toss for that reason will play an important role. Chasing a challenging target under the light is always an issue.

But it is a game of cricket, it is a one day cricket event. The team appearing with their A game on the day win the laurels. We are sure it will be a fitting fascinating final. It will be a historic event. Two lovely countries with wonderfully blessed cricketers will make it a special event at iconic MCG.

BDST: 0842 HRS, MAR 28, 2015