Only 100 overs remain in the 11th Cricket World Cup and for a second straight tournament the hosts square off; New Zealand versus Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the title of World Cup Champions.
Given the way New Zealand have played throughout this tournament and their gutsy chase in the semi-final to beat South Africa, it is hard to write them off. Australia, having slipped up against the Kiwis in the group stage, have played outstanding cricket of recent and are the top ranked ODI team in the world for good reason. Tonight’s final at the MCG should be a close one given the fantastic batting of Brendon McCullum for New Zealand and Steve Smith for Australia as well as the bowling of Australian Mitchell Starc and New Zealand’s Trent Boult. The final ought to be a fitting end to what has been an exciting month and a half of cricket. New Zealand are formidable opponents, but Australia’s batting attack will be too much for New Zealand in the later overs as the home crowd gets behind their team and captain Michael Clarke’s final ODI.
Australia to win a close contest and take home their fifth World Cup title on Sunday.
From Hyderabad to Hove 