* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
After 44 games in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup it all comes down to this. I think if you told most fans before it started that New Zealand would meet Australia in the final, you’ll probably have gotten a few strange looks. No India, Pakistan or England you say?
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But it is the two sides divided by the Tasman Sea that will make up the final. Funnily enough, both have suffered a heavy defeat in the group stages, Australia, hammered by 8 wickets by England and New Zealand going down by 5 wickets to Pakistan. However, come the knockouts they both game up trumps.
So, what does this game come down to? Australia are favourites and maybe rightfully so. But, for me, New Zealand are more battle hardened and ready to finally get over the line. In two previous World Cup finals (50 Overs) in 2015 they lost disappointingly to today’s rivals Australia and in 2019 lost a heart-breaking Super Over against England in Lord’s.
In Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand have a very solid opening partnership. Only once have they lost their 1st wicket for less than 20 runs in the tournament and with Mitchell the hero of the semi final I think it’s time for Martin Guptill to stand up with a Man of the Match performance.
Australia, on the other hand, have lost their first wicket three times for less than 10 runs. One big loss that New Zealand do have is wicketkeeper Devon Conway who broke his hand in their semi after punching his own bat following his dismissal. The less said about that the better. However, they do have more than adequate replacements with both Glenn Phillips and Tim Seifert both equally adept with the gloves.
Australia have leaned heavily on David Warner throughout the tournament and he’s rarely let them down. His 236 runs so far have been vital. They’ve also had some big help from players like Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis down the order. They will be needed if Australia are going to win.
What it will most likely boil down to is who bowls better. Adam Zampa probably wins the battle of the spinners with 12 wickets to Kiwi Ish Sodhi’s 9. With the quick bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have 17 between them while Trent Boult and Tim Southee have 19 for New Zealand.
For me, it keeps coming back to New Zealand to Win because of the little things here and there where they have an advantage. They’ve longed to get one over the Aussies in a big tournament. This is the time for it to happen.
New Zealand v Australia tips
New Zealand to Win
Man of the Match: Martin Guptill
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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