Just another game? Australia and New Zealand may get to the park on Sunday with preparation to suggest that they would be approaching their newest battle as just another game. But they need no reminding that this time, unlike in any of their 126 ODI earlier meetings, there is a little reward that awaits the winners ? the WC, no less. On Saturday, the co-hosts prepared for the big day like they would for any other game, not wanting the occasion or the venue to leave them awe-struck. New Zealand paid attention to detail with bowling coach Shane Bond spending time surveying the expansive outfield from a bowler's perspective. Australia turned up in full force on a day of optional practice. The absence of needle, with the teams not being at loggerheads, and the presence of enormous respect for one another's combative skills should not be misconstrued as a lack of intent on either side. They are both capable of launching spectacular assaults, with their captains unwilling to take their feet off the pedal. The teams are equally hungry. They are blessed with explosive batsmen and others who can ensure that the power hitters come in at the appropriate times; they have quality fast bowlers and are terrific fielding sides; New Zealand have cricket's shrewdest left-arm spinner, Daniel Vettori to support pace bowlers while Australia rely on Glenn Maxwell to fill up as fifth bowler. Given that, it will be tempting to sit on the wall and say that the team which plays the better cricket on Sunday will emerge the winner of the World Cup. But while one should not write off McCullum's New Zealand ? especially because of his sharp captaincy ? they will find it tough to slip past the home team. Of course, New Zealand are the only unbeaten squad in the World Cup so far, playing an attacking brand of cricket. What's more, they are the only side that has inflicted a defeat on the world's top ODI team in the World Cup, a thrilling one-wicket victory in a Group A league game in Auckland. But that match was all about great bowling, swing, seam and fast. The MCG deck is the sort which demands great discipline from the batsmen and greater discipline from the bowlers. Australia, who have constantly summoned World Cup winning legends like Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist to chat with the team, can be expected to use their knowledge of MCG to keep their nose ahead of the Black Caps. New Zealand have not an ODI played in Australia in five years but they will remember that the last time a Black Caps team beat the home side, the game had been played at MCG. As many as seven players in the current squad were part of that team that made light of the fact they were playing on a larger ground than any in their own nation. Yet, if Australia have been installed as favourites and New Zealand been labelled the underdogs, it is only because the Black Caps have played all their eight World Cup games so far at home. It is the first time they have flown into Australia. How well they adapt to that challenge will determine if they can continue punching like they have done so far.  For all that, if the teams dish out a high quality contest in keeping with the stature of the World Cup final, fans around the globe will add more memories to add to the rich collection from limited-over cricket's biggest event. Australia and New Zealand have the potential to ensure that fans do not remember the game as just another ODI game. Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Richard Kettleborough (England). TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (South Africa). Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka). 
Match Info
Match:
New Zealand vs Australia, Final , ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Date:
Sun, Mar 29, 2015
Start Time:
3:30 AM GMT
Venue:
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Umpires:
Kumar Dharmasena , Richard Kettleborough
3rd Umpire: Marais Erasmus
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
 |
| Teams: Australia (From): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke(c), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin(w), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, George Bailey, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Marsh New Zealand (From): Brendon McCullum(c), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi(w), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills |
Australia vs New Zealand World Cup Final highlights
Clarke scored 74 in his last
ODI as Australia (186/3) defeated New Zealand (183) by 7 wickets in the
2015 World Cup final at the MCG to win their fifth World Cup crown.
(Getty Images)
Melbourne: Highlights of Sunday's World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground: Captain crunched - Big-hitting New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum plays and misses his first two balls and then falls for a third-ball duck, clean-bowled in the first over from Mitchell Starc. Living on the edge - Martin Guptill unleashed a top-edge off Josh Hazlewood which flew over Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and went for six. The runs took the New Zealander to the top of the run charts for the tournament, passing Kumar Sangakkara's 541. Big Show's big impact - Glenn Maxwell, dubbed 'The Big Show', lived up to his headline billing by bowling Guptill with his second ball of gentle off-spin. Maxwell also had the last word in the innings, with a brilliant run out of Tim Southee. The Grant escape - Grant Elliott successfully reviewed an lbw decision facing Maxwell when he was on 14 and his team teetering at 66-3. Nifty fifty - After his undefeated 84 in the semi-final win over South Africa, Elliott was staging another rescue mission, going to a half-century in 51 balls with three fours and a six. The South African-born player was eventually out for 83 off 82 balls. Power rangers - Australia claimed three quick wickets in the batting powerplay with James Faulkner dismissing Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson in the space of three balls and Starc accounting for former Australia player Luke Ronchi. Balloon stops play - Play was temporarily halted when a yellow balloon floated behind the bowler's arm, distracting Daniel Vettori. Whatever you can do.... - New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult gets in on the act by dismissing Aaron Finch for nought in the second over. It took him to 22 wickets for the tournament -- level with Starc. Feeling trapped - Australia skipper Michael Clarke arrived at the wicket for his final innings before his ODI retirement to be surrounded by seven close catchers. Bail fail - Steve Smith escaped when a ball from Matt Henry went past the bat but failed to dislodge the bails as it hit the stumps. By George, it's Bailey - George Bailey started the World Cup as Australia's captain in the 111-run win over England at the MCG. He lost his place when Clarke returned from injury and had hardly been seen until Sunday when he ran on to the field to bring the skipper a replacement pair of gloves. Perfect sign-off - Clarke marked his final ODI in perfect fashion with a fine 74 and received a standing ovation from the record 93,013 crowd. |
