A trans-Tasman scrap will determine the new world champions of 20-over cricket on Sunday and Australia and New Zealand have little to choose from after their nearly equal progress for the summit clash in Dubai.
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Both made it to the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup as the second team from their respective groups and then came on their own to knock out the two most dominant teams of the tournament.
The final four balls of Australia’s five-wicket win against Pakistan on Thursday had more drama than the entire Super 12 stage of the tournament.
Matthew Wade was first dropped into the deep before he smashed three consecutive sixes to successfully complete Australia’s nervous chase against the only unbeaten side of the tournament.
Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell did something similar when New Zealand defeated Group I leaders England in the first semi-final in Abu Dhabi.
Sunday’s clash will be a rematch of the 2015 final of the 50-over World Cup and Australia, the most successful ODI team, will look to win the only major limited-overs global trophy they have yet to win.
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“We have such a rich history and it would be nice to add this piece to the puzzle,” Australia coach Justin Langer said on Friday.
The task will not be easy against a New Zealand team recognized as the best cross-format team in international cricket.
“I think the way New Zealand Cricket has done its business in the last few years has been fantastic,” Langer said.
“So we have to do our best, like we have been doing to beat New Zealand throughout this tournament.”
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Australia will need their top-order to fire up against New Zealand’s disciplined attack and keep up with four specialist bowlers.
For world Test champions New Zealand, the impetus will be for a win in another format, especially after their heart-wrenching defeat to England on boundary countback in the 2019 50-over World Cup final.
They will bring back Tim Seifert in place of Devon Conway, who has been ruled out of action with a hand injury.
Unlike most other teams that rely on a handful of match-winners, New Zealand’s ability to hunt as a pack has been their strength.
Coach Gary Stead will have to be on his toes against Australia.
“They have a group of people who are the real match winners,” Stead said.
“We have to make sure that our planning and scouting is on point and we have really clear plans for all of our players because they can open a game very quickly.”
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