MCG promises to be a cracker

ICC:

For both Australia and New Zealand, it has been a cricket promoters’ dream. If junior numbers don’t increase after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, then cricket has no chance. New Zealand is a country dominated by rugby but has been transfixed by what’s been happening in front of their eyes with the success of their team in this World Cup.

For the team, it now is a new challenge playing for the first time in Australia. I believe this won’t really play a huge factor because it’s mainly been about the way New Zealand have been going about this tactically. Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been excellent up front with the new ball, so they will enjoy the extra bounce from the MCG wicket. Brendon McCullum has attacked the quicks at the top of the order like no other. If he can get the Kiwis off to another flying start, it will help them structure their innings.

But they are going to have to fight like anything to beat Australia, who are playing with plenty of confidence and based on the semi-final’s attitude, their knack of delivering under pressure will hold them in good stead.

The biggest match in 50-over cricket has shown how important the top three batsmen are (Ricky Ponting in 2003, Adam Gilchrist in 2007 and Gautam Gambhir in 2011).

It will be a spectacle come Sunday, as both these teams deserve the right to be out there. New Zealand players will probably be knighted if they win and will always be remember for this amazing performance to date, it’s the best by a country mile.

For the Australian players, the incentive is that they will have a chance to win in their own backyard. Will we see another World Cup in the next 20 years? Maybe not, though we will get the ICC World Twenty20 in 2020.

Australia have already had that experience of the MCG with their first game where they played well and launched their World Cup campaign.

But when all’s said and done, the side that stays focused, blocks all distractions and do what they came at the MCG for, will win.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2015.

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