Muscat, Nov 13
When Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand lock horns for the title of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai on Sunday, the summit clash will be a measure of how far the latter have developed over the years.
Australia have been the traditional giants of world cricket for the better part of the last two and a half decades and the Kiwis their supremely talented but less celebrated neighbours.
Australia’s victory against New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup final was a body blow to the psyche of the New Zealand players including their great skipper of the time, Brendon McCullum.
However, this New Zealand side under the captaincy of Kane Williamson is probably cut from a different cloth.
Ever since their heartbreaking 2019 ODI World Cup final defeat to England by boundary count, this New Zealand team has been a totally different beast.
Minus the superstars that some of the other big teams possess, this New Zealand team is a unit of high-performing individuals who contribute immensely in a cohesive team-environment.
Their power-packed batting line-up comprising the likes of Devon Conway, who will miss the final and replaced by Tim Seifert, Kane Williamson, James Neesham, Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips etc have transformed the hitting ability and depth of the team.
The bowling might of Trent Boult, Tim Southee coupled with the spin of Ish Sodhi pose a potent threat to any opposition anywhere.
New Zealand is on the cusp of a renaissance moment in their cricketing history as they take on Australia and a title here would cap off their greatest ever season.
AUSTRALIA PEAKING RIGHT
The Australians were not exactly favourites coming into the tournament and have been playing second fiddle to the much-fancied England side.
However, come the knockout stages of the tournament and they have turned into a completely different team. The semifinal against Pakistan showed a glimpse of just how dangerous an outfit the Aussies can be.
Their legendary fighting abilities and imperious demeanour could play a crucial factor in a high-pressure World Cup final.
CHASE WILL BE THE WAY
Irrespective of whether dew will be a factor or not, Aaron Finch and Kane Williamson will be looking to chase down as has been the successful trend this World Cup.
With the bevy of power-hitters on both sides,
it could well be another run-feast that could make for heart-stopping action in the death overs of the second innings.
If there is any team that truly deserves a white-ball World Cup title, it is New Zealand. The Aussies could just make it that much more harder for them given the added Trans-Tasman spice.
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