An Australia-New Zealand Champions Trophy final won’t have the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan one, but it can be equally fascinating to watch David take on Goliath.
An India-Pakistan final would have been the perfect tonic for a cracker of a Champions Trophy final. Pakistan skipper Younus Khan had wished for it and Mahendra Singh Dhoni would have been keen to get back at the arch-rivals after the loss in the group stages. India have gone home and Pakistan are on their way.
Nearly two weeks after the event that was to showcase the validity of one-dayers began, Australia and New Zealand, probably the most eager rivals in the one-day format after India-Pakistan, will clash in the final at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. They have clashed over the years outside the cricket field too, with rugby and netball being sports in which there has been a lot at stake.
Australia were expected to make the cut, while New Zealand will be treading unfamiliar territory. The last time New Zealand played a final on the world stage was when they won the Champions Trophy held in Nairobi nine years ago. Australia have won two World Cups and a Champions Trophy since then.
New Zealand have lost players to injury. Grant Elliot batted with a broken thumb against Pakistan in the semifinal. Despite the setbacks, the team has shown a belief.
Australia came into this tournament minus the aura. “We came into this tournament probably ranked No.3 or No.4. A lot of experts thought we would finish there. It is the first time in many years that we haven’t been the No.1 ranked team. But we are pretty happy with the way we have played our cricket,” Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said.
Australia are in a rebuilding phase. Here they didn’t have Michael Clarke who was suffering from a sore back.
New Zealand has never got the better of Australia in one-day tournament finals, dating back to the Benson and Hedges World Series in 1981. Ponting realises that his opponents have their strengths. “They are a very disciplined side. They play to their strengths. They might not be the most flamboyant side but you know they will give 100 per cent,” Ponting said.
Australia have been on the road for a while. They stomached the disappointment of losing the Ashes, but bounced back to thrash England 6-1 in the one-day series. “If we win tomorrow than we can look back at the last four months as a really good time for Australian cricket. It will be the icing on the cake,” Ponting said.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori talked about the team performing as a unit. “We probably don’t have stars but there are six to seven guys who chip in and lift the team up,” Vettori said. “We have probably achieved what we wanted but the talk in our camp is about how to go all the way and that is very satisfying. There is a desire and belief to do well.” The New Zealand skipper admitted that the Australians were really impressive.
If nice boys would finish first the New Zealanders would have walked away with honours. They picked up the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award the other day. On the big day they will have to lift up their spirits against a side that has pushed the limits of fairplay in the past to win at all costs. This clash won’t have the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan final, but it can be equally fascinating to watch David take on Goliath.
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