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Your guide to the 2015 ICC World Cup final

The World Cup final this weekend will play out between hosts Australia and New Zealand.

This World Cup, at times, has provided cricket fans with revelatory outcomes, from Ireland chasing down 300 plus and beating the West Indies to Bangladesh being awe-inspiring. The final two teams, though, shouldn’t have that much shock value.

New Zealand and Australia were two of the four favourites to win the World Cup. After the Kiwis defeated Australia in the group stages, they basically wrapped up top spot in Pool A. They had an easy run against the West Indies in the quarter-final and a lucky semifinal escape against South Africa. Australia finished in second place in Pool A and defeated Pakistan after a momentary wobble before slaying India by 95-runs in a fire-breathing display. That’s basically how both teams got to the final.

Here’s how they stack up against each other.

Opening Pairs

McCullum/Guptill vs Finch/Warner

The Kiwi pair have performed solidly throughout the World Cup, combining for 860 runs. In their past three matches they have shared two century stands of 111 and 105. Martin Guptill leads the duo with 532 runs on the back of a record 237* not out against the West Indies. Brendon McCullum has employed a swing at everything tactic and generally scores rapidly. The Aussies haven’t fired at the top of the order. Their past four outings of 14,19,15 and 15 give the Kiwis a sniff that an early wicket could be on the cards on Sunday. David Warner is due to explode and Clarke said don’t be surprised if Finch makes a big hundred.

Verdict: New Zealand claim the opening pair honours with workman like opening stands on full display over the past six weeks. Australia yet to peak.

No. 3

Williamson vs Smith

Kane Williamson was hyped up to be one of the future stars of the game, based on some consistent knocks in the past 12 months. His World Cup has yielded 222 runs, which is ok, but not electrifying. His counterpart, Steve Smith made a pivotal and match-winning 105 against India in the semi final. He has compiled 346 runs in this tournament.

Verdict: Smith. You’d pick the New South Welshman at No. 3 over anyone in the world right now. His ability to score at regular pace no matter what the situation brings is match-winner worthy. Williamson should worry less about his hipster beard and more about scoring when it matters.

Middle order

Taylor/Elliot v Clarke/Watson

Not sure how, but New Zealand’s Ross Taylor managed to score over 150. At one stage he had barely reached 50 runs in total. A couple of scores against weak opposition made sure his mediocre World Cup didn’t look so mediocre. Grant Elliot, until his unbeaten 84 against South Africa, was in the same boat. There’s massive potential here for the Aussies to exploit New Zealand’s batting core. Australia’s middle order hasn’t set the world on fire either with Clarke (145) and Watson (206) underwhelming. But, their better scores have come when in need and during difficult situations. Both are experienced World Cup campaigners.

Verdict: Clarke and Watson. Taylor and Elliot looked feeble last time these two played each other and extremely vulnerable against Starc’s yorker.

All-rounders

Anderson v Maxwell

New Zealand’s Corey Anderson has enjoyed the small Kiwi grounds. He’s big, heavy hitter and bowls short which brings top edges into play on smaller grounds. At 231 runs and 14 wickets, he’s one of the better World Cup all-rounders. Some critics say his wickets were lower order batters and is quite expensive. Glenn Maxwell has shown impressive form with the bat, but not so much with the ball. His 324 runs makes him the highest scoring World Cup all-rounder.

Verdict: Maxwell. Given that most of the pitches at the World Cup are super flat and built more like highway roads, batting has been easier than bowling. If this trend continues, then Maxwell beats Anderson head to head in the batting stakes with oodles more shots to select from and is more prolific.

Wicketkeepers

Ronchi v Haddin

If New Zealand were to collapse and Ronchi had to step up, he wouldn’t be the guy to execute a rescue mission. He lacks poise and succumbs under intense pressure as we saw when these two teams met a few weeks back. He’s OK with the gloves but with 73 runs under his name, it makes Haddin’s 126 World Cup runs seem a lot more credible. Haddin, when on, can lay into any bowling attack. The veteran is also a rescue mission kind of guy.

Verdict: Haddin.Too much experience and has a switch where can turn into an instant run machine.

Change up bowlers

Vettori v Faulkner

It’s the 36-year-old veteran against the young up and comer. Vettori’s record speaks for itself. He outfoxes batsmen. He’s the leading spinning wicket taker at the cup (15). Faulkner has missed a few games but has chipped in at the right with quick runs and wickets (7).

Verdict: Vettori. He’d probably make most World Cup XI teams. Australia doesn’t have a spinning option and Vettori could exploit that by bowling a tight ten overs with a few wickets attached to his name.

Front line pace attack

Boult/Southee/Henry v Starc/Johnson/Hazlewood

The pace trio of Boult, Southee and Henry have grabbed 36 wickets. Henry, the late inclusion to replace Milne (five wickets), is yet to claim a scalp. The Aussies have 39 wickets from their top tier attack, with Pat Cummins, who has been dropped for Hazlewood, chiming in with five. Boult and Southee won’t have the swing and shape at the M.C.G they found on home soil throughout the World Cup. The Aussies know how to bowl on the M.C.G wicket, which will be crucial during the final.

Verdict: Starc-Johnson-Hazlewood. Mitch Starc’s yorker is the best I’ve seen at the World Cup and he tormented the Kiwis with full, quick Yorkers previously. The fact the final is at the M.C.G. also favours the Australians as conditions will suit their bowlers better than the Kiwis. Johnson and Hazlewood will act as a solid support cast with cameos from Watson, Clarke, Faulkner and Maxwell.

Prediction: New Zealand walked into this final with a handsome 8-0 record, largely thanks to a kind World Cup schedule that allowed them to play all their games in New Zealand. Small grounds, swinging conditions and home ground enhanced the quality of their cricket. They haven’t played a one-day international in Melbourne since late 2010 which is a bit concerning. But, what’s hard to ignore, is that they are a team in form and deserve to be in the final. Australia, though, playing on home soil, boast too much depth, variety and a plethora of scoring and wicket-taking options, and will win this World Cup. It will be a hard-fought contest and will be tight, but Australia will be able to adapt to any situation and find a way to win under pressure. That knack of winning tight games is what has won them four World Cups previously.