42 days and 49 matches later, one of trans-Tasman cousins will create history in what promises to be a gripping World Cup finale
When Vangelis, the versatile Greek musician, composed Conquest of Paradise for a Hollywood movie by the same name in 1992, little did he know that it would consume the hearts of sportspersons the world over. Over the years, the legendary soundtrack has been used by German boxer Henry Maske ahead of his bouts, the New Zealand Super 15 rugby team Crusaders, English football club Sheffield Wednesday and, of course, the International Cricket Council which has been playing it before the start of every game at every global tournament since 2011.
In many ways, the pursuit of excellence in sport is akin to the conquest of paradise. Sport gives your life a pure fulfillment that few other endeavours can provide. Sport is blissful. Sport is glorious. To many, sport is even life.
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, two sets of players, representing two beautiful lands separated by the Tasman Sea, will vie for the biggest prize in world cricket. And coincidentally, they are the co-hosts of a tournament that will draw to a close after 49 matches, many of them gripping ones, across 42 days.
If the match were to be termed a neighbourly battle, then how would you view the brawls within? Michael Clarke vs Brendon McCullum, McCullum vs Mitchell Starc, David Warner vs Trent Boult, Steve Smith vs Daniel Vettori, Luke Ronchi vs the whole of Australia…
A lot has been said about Australia's habit of looking down upon their "little brothers" from "across the ditch". That this is New Zealand's first visit to Australia in six years is just a reflection of this attitude. As Twitter would tell you, the MCG is "so big" that the chap standing at fine leg would be in a "different time zone". But try telling that to the Kiwis and they'll talk about adaptability. That it's their first World Cup final is only academic. Those pointing to the fact that it's Australia's seventh may do well to recall how Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer, then a winner of five straight Wimbledon titles, in that epic final in 2008.
Epic is what everyone wants the contest to be. And epic is what it promises to be. Just like the Group 'A' game in Auckland; perhaps not such a low-scorer. The history books favour Australia: 85-35 in 126 games. But the players topping the charts in World Cup are from the Black Caps camp. Martin Guptill (532) is nine runs away from taking Kumar Sangakkara's spot at the top. Steve Smith (346) is down at No. 10. The deadly Trent Boult (21) has one more wicket than Mitchell Starc, who has been the most quick and parsimonious bowler of the tournament. And in case you forgot, New Zealand haven't lost a game in this World Cup. In fact, they last tasted defeat on January 29 (at the hands of Sri Lanka). That's exactly two months to the day.
New Zealand have had a few stutters along the way, none scarier than the one against South Africa in the semis. Even Bangladesh ran them close in the final league game. But on both occasions, someone rose to the occasion. If it was the calm Grant Elliott who did the job by smashing Dale Steyn for a six in Auckland, then Tim Southee and Vettori put paid to Bangladesh's hopes of finishing third in Group 'A' with a few biggies in Hamilton. Southee and Vettori have also picked up 15 wickets apiece.
McCullum and Martin Guptill are capable of tearing apart any bowling attack, and they won't mind going on the attack against Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson. That's the brand of cricket the Kiwis have been playing — fast, in-your-face and refreshing.
Australia's run to the final hasn't been as inspirational as it was in the Ponting era, but it doesn't really matter. Beating India, the other in-form team at a canter, was a good enough example of their all-round strength. That it's Clarke's final ODI will give him that extra motivation. Who likes to finish a loser?
McCullum's open letter to the Indian fans may have done the trick, but it remains to be seen what tricks he has up his sleeve for the Aussies. After all, it's about the conquest of paradise. Martin Crowe would agree.
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