ICC T20 final Preview: Australia vs Kiwis

Australia is the most decorated team in the world.

While they have underwhelmed in T20 World Cups, they are the most successful 50-over team in history.

They are five-time World Cup champions and blew away New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup final.

David Warner, one of the greatest T20 batters in history, finding form is a huge plus for Australia.

Having struggled for around nine months – and being dropped from his IPL side – Warner scored two fifties in the Super 12 stage and a vital 49 in the semi-final.

Australia’s bowling attack has been reliant on Test specialists – Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Both have shown their versatility alongside white-ball great Mitchell Starc and in-form Adam Zampa.

Zampa is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament and stifled Pakistan superbly, taking 1-22 in the middle overs.

He will expect more success at the same venue on Sunday.

One of the disappointments has been Glenn Maxwell who has scored 36 runs in six matches.

But it would not be a surprise to see the talented all-rounder produce some magic in the final.

Not a typical T20 team

Despite their run to the final, there is still a sense that Australia are not considered a complete T20 side.

They are ranked No. 6 in the world.

Their middle order lacks the big-hitting firepower needed for T20 success.

A middle-order of Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and an out-of-form Glenn Maxwell can be an area of weakness.

Red-ball great Smith, in particular, has struggled and it’s not clear what he brings to the team.

Amongst the bowling, all three Australian quicks have gone for runs in this touurnament.

This is another potential weakness that can undermine Australia.

New Zealand analysis

There is no doubt that the Kiwis are a better white-ball team than Australia.

They were ranked No. 4 in the world coming into the tournament.

New Zealand also have big tournament pedigree having reached major finals in 2015 and 2019.

The best thing about the Kiwis is that they are not overly reliant on anyone.

All of their top-six have stood up at some point, with Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham stealing the show in the semi-finals.

Black Caps opener Martin Guptill is a big hitter and has the ability to take the game away from the opposition.

In Williamson, they have one of the best Kiwi players of all time.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been a constant threat with the new ball.

Spinner Ish Sodhi has been their secret weapon.

New Zealand have achieved the belief needed to win tournaments by beating India to win the World Test Championship.

Prediction

Our prediction is that New Zealand will win the tournament.

Though T20 is an unpredictable format, the Kiwis have better squad depth and are packed with game-changers.

Australia can make it provided Warner or Maxwell come up with a big innings.

This probability of this happening is comparatively low as the Kiwis would have prepared a plan to tackle both.