5 Things to Watch Out in Aussie-Kiwi Mega Clash at MCG
The final show down of the 2015 World Cup is between the hosts, Australia and New Zealand (NZ) at Melbourne on Sunday. Read below for the interesting points to look for the big clash:
Fact Box
It is for the first time in 28 years that the final does not feature an Asian team. The 1978 edition of the World Cup had the Aussies battling against the English for the coveted trophy. Since then, every time there was either India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka in the final round. However, there is one similarity from 2011, both the hosts have made it to the final of the tournament. This has happened only for the second time in the 40 years of the event’s history.
Maiden World Cup Victory or a 5th World Cup Victory?
Victory in a team’s very first WC final is possible. Cricket fraternity did witness this feat in the past. West Indies led by Clive Lloyd and Asian teams like India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan lifted the trophy in their respective premier finales.
Meanwhile, the titles in the Kangaroos’ shelves are more than their runner’s up finishes. More than 50 per cent of the tickets have already been bought by Indians and with McCullum officially writing to Indian fans for their support, NZ can make history at Melbourne on Sunday. Or will the four-time world champions use their heap of experience of the six finals they played since 1975 to deny their neighbors this feat?
Mitchell Starc vs Trent Boult
The fight for the highest wicket-taker’s place of 2015 World Cup will now be decided at the end of the final match on Sunday. Currently, New Zealand’s Trent Boult leads the race with 21 wickets off eight games, with the best figure of 5/27. The interesting fact here is that the pacer achieved these numbers against Australia, when Kiwis beat them by one wicket in a nail-bitter, in this world cup itself.
In the same match, even Australia’s Starc obtained his best bowling figure of the tournament. His 6/28 had almost defended Australia’s mighty total of 151 against the Kiwis at Auckland on February 28. In the semi-final against India, Starc bagged two wickets, Rahane and the winning wicket of Umesh Yadav.
Both the teams will bank on these players, the one failing to deliver on the important day might just cost his team the cup.
Martin Guptil Needs 7 Runs More
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who played his last ODI against South Africa in the quarter-final, had an incredible run with the bat scoring four consecutive World Cup centuries (Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland), made an exit from the islands with 541 runs in his kitty.
While, Kiwi opener Guptill came into the lime light when he smashed a double ton against West Indies in the quarter-final. He is now just seven runs behind Sangakarra. By notching these many runs, he can bag the Golden Bat award of the tournament.
Happy Farewell: Michael Clarke or Daniel Vettori?
Just a day before the big match at Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Australian skipper Michael Clarke announced his retirement from the shorter format after the 2015 World Cup. After beating the table toppers, India in the semi-final, the hosts are already high-spirited and this news has only played a role of a “booster” in their confidence.
Meanwhile, following the win over Proteas at home in the semis, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hinted legend Vettori’s retirement by saying “this was potentially his last game on New Zealand soil.” And since the commencement of the tournament, all of us aware of the fact that the Blackcaps are playing with an aim to win it for Dan.