If Rahat's catch drop of Shane Watson in that amazing spell by Riaz, was the world cup dropping moment then the first over bowled by Mitchell Starc was as good as clinching the world cup for Australia vs New Zealand in the #CWC15 final.
Both the co hosts had trounced all other opposition and reached the finals. There were amazing performers on each side and their were a lot of mini battles in store in the big finale.
None bigger than the one between #BrendonMcCullum, the Kiwi skipper and his super aggressive opening batting that shell shocked oppositions into submission vs #MitchellStarc, a revelation of a fast bowler in the tournament in awesome form and clearly vying for the player of the tournament prize along with Trent Boult.
As luck would have it, both were at each other first up.
McCullum won the toss and elected to bat first on a great #MCG wicket.
Runs on the board in a big final was their strategy.
McCullum clearly had a plan to tackle Starc by unsettling him off his line/length and putting pressure on the rest of the bowling lineup. Starc on the other hand planned to get Mc as soon as possible to be on top!
MartinGuptill took first strike against Starc.
After a leave, he steered one to third man for a single.
Big Mc on strike.
The two warriors facing each other.
Battle about to explode.
Starc's first ball to McCullum is greeted by a dance down the wicket, missed and the ball shaves ever to close to the off stump. How did it miss off? everyone wonders.
The next one is another inswinging delivery that misses a advancing McCullum and goes to the keeper.
Two balls, Two attacking attempts, Two misses.
Something had to give in.
The next delivery started outside off and swung in late.
McCullum this time remained in crease expecting a short one but it was full and swinging. The ball swing past inside of his bat and crashed in the base of off stump. Timberrrrrrr!
Fire lights glow up!
Starc over the moon runs a mini lap towards sqaure leg, Aussie fielders swarm in on him from everywhere, the MCG erupts in joy ..... the big fish was netted early. Huge bonus to start the World Cup final like this!
McCullum dazed by that blow, trudged back to the pavilion with a lot of IFs in head. Could he have been a bit more patient? Could he not have seen off Starc and attack at the other end? If he fell early did his Kiwi troops have ammunition to recover? Lot of questions but answer was only one
Brendon McCullum bowled Starc 0
Kiwis never really recovered from that blow and Australia registered a magnificent win that evening. It all started from them in that first magical over by Starc!
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith have strung a calm and steady partnership to surge ahead in this #CWC15 Final at the #MCG.
Looks like the inevitable is round the corner.
Clarke, under immense pressure, when he came in, soaked in tidy bowling and then opened up to deliver a superb innings. Fitting for grand finale to end a grand ODI career in style.
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NZ: 183 all out
AUS: 152 for 2, 30 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
After a minor hiccup upfront (#AaronFinch spooned c and b Boult), #DavidWarner has decided to run riot in this chase smashing boundaries and taking the Kiwi bowlers ON.
Kiwis tried everything to break his partnership with #StevenSmith but he raced away hitting boundaries to Boult, Southee and Henry.
He edged one to second slip but it was just removed a ball earlier and he scored a boundary there. It was all going for him, but #MarkHenry induced a false pull shot to claim his wicket at a time when the game was beginning to slip away.
NZ have regrouped again and put fierce pressure on #MichaelClarke with a 7-2 field.
His edge flew through the two short covers.
SteveSmith was even luckier. His inside edge hit the stumps but didn't dislodge the bails.
A lot happening at the MCG. But, still Asutralia's game to win.
Kiwis are going to need something special to pull back this one!
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NZ: 183 all out
Aus: 69 for 2, 15 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
From a seemingly good position, NZ slumped from 150 for 3 in 30 overs to 183 all out in 44.5 overs.
Australian bowlers and fielders stepped up the plate and produced fantastic spells to blow the Kiwi middle and lower orders.
The bowling spells by the Australians speak for themselves
#MitchellStarc - 2 wickets
#MitchellJohnson - 3 wickets
#JamesFaulkner - 3 wickets
#GlennMaxwell - 1 wickets
#GrantElliott was the only NZ batsman that put up a brave show with 83 off 82 balls.
Can the Kiwis defend this? They have the fire power but do they have the intent now after this poor batting show. Did they crack under the occasion? or the Aussies were just too good?
The next one hour will be an indicator of how the match goes.
Just feel, there is another twist somewhere. Dont count these Kiwis out, just yet!
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NZ: 183 all out, 44.5 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
#JamesFaulkner has turned the game back in Australia's favor in the batting powerplay.
After 35 overs, NZ were comfortably placed at 150 for 3 and looking to unleash in the last 15.
Taylor and Elliott looking good and established would have hoped to push on but Faulkner had different plans.
35.1 - A slower one outside off, Taylor stretching to push it through cover, takes an edge and caught behind. There was some confusion whether the ball bounced off the bat or went to Haddin's gloves on the bounce? The third umpire confirmed, it was a valid catch.
35.2 - #CoreyAnderson blocked his first delivery.
35.3 - Ball swings outside Anderson's edge and knocks off stump out of the ground.
Then #MitchellStarc got into action and got another one
36.2 - Outside off, fish and catch at first slip.
From 150 for 3, NZ slumped to 151 for 6.
Extraordinary comeback from Australia.
#GrantElliott has to herald this NZ innings now with help of the bowlers starting with #DanielVettori. Exciting last 10 overs to start now.
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NZ: 165 for 6, 40 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
#GrantElliott has walked in with purpose and continued from his amazing performance vs SA in the semi final. He has brought life back into this deflated NZ innings and taking the attack to the Australians.
A moment spurred that intent.
#GlennMaxwell spun a delivery, rapped him on the pads, appealed and was given out by umpire Dharmasena. He and Taylor consulted, took the umpire's review and won it in his favour Decision reversed.
Since then he has relaxed and playing very freely rubbing that attitude on the struggling Taylor too. He's just completed his 50 and the partnership seems to be gaining momentum.
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121 for 3 in 30 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
Australia well and truly on top here at the MCG in the big #CWC15 final
They have NZ in all kinds of trouble.
After Starc castled McCullum in the very first over for nought, the pressure has never relented.
#GlennMaxwell bowled #MartinGuptill with an innocuous delivery.
Bad shot selection after he had done all the hard work of seeing the new ball away and getting himself in.
#MitchellJohnson, not to be left behind, caught and bowled the struggling #KaneWilliamson to put Australia well and truly on top.
#RossTaylor and #GrantElliott at the crease and they need to rebuild.
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NZ: 70 for 3, 21 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
What a start to this BIG #CWC15 final!!
Battle within battle - #Starc vs #McCullum upfront.
McCullum decides to attack Starc from ball 1
Swing and a miss
Swing and a miss
Bowled 'im - Off stump castled by a peach of a yorker.
McCullum out for nought, facing just three balls.
Starc's stunning consistency with the ball continues.
He is ecstatic, his team is jubilliant, the #MCG erupts.
Huge blow for New Zealand.
They have to quickly regroup and start over again.
#MartinGuptill and #KaneWilliamson at the crease.
#Starc on the move. He's probing and probing for wickets.
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NZ: 22 for 1, 6 overs
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
What a day!
What a huge toss in the BIG final...
.... and New Zealand have won it.
#BrendonMcCullum called "Heads" and the coin spun to "Heads" and without hesitation he decided to bat first. A good wicket, get runs on the board and put Australia under pressure under lights in a run chase. WOW! This is amazing..
Aussie skipper, #MichaelClarke, who just announced his retirement from ODIs after this world cup will look to make this a memorable last hurrah. His team owes him one! And if there is one team that can chase wonderfully, its Australia. So, its a great toss for NZ to win and bat first.
Both teams going with unchanged squads for this game.
Look forward to the Starc vs McCullum and Johnson vs Guptill duel upfront.
No rain threats, beautiful weather ,,. Lets rock n roll!
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#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015
Very little to choose from when you compare the probable 11 players from each side, man to man.
Take a look
Aus v NZ
Batsmen
David Warner vs Brendon McCullum (Explosive openers both. McCullum has edge on form)
Aaron Finch vs Martin Guptill (Attacking openers. Guptill ahead on form)
Steven Smith vs Kane Williamson (both vice captains and solid technique. Smith ahead on form)
Michael Clarke vs Ross Taylor (Clarke far ahead in terms of technique, but same levels on form)
Shane Watson vs Grant Elliott (Struggled earlier in the tournament but getting their bearings and acts at the right moment now. Even out each other)
Glenn Maxwell vs Corey Anderson (Explosion guaranteed. Maxwell destructive but Anderson is constructive. Even out each other)
Wicketkeeper/Batsmen
Brad Haddin vs Luke Ronchi (Can tonk the ball around, not much ooportunities for both so far, Haddin slightly ahead on experience)
Bowlers/Allrounders
Josh Hazlewood v Mark Henry (Newcomers - even out each other)
MitchellJohnson vs Tim Southee (Speedy with the ball, Handy with the bat - Johnson slightly ahead)
Mitchell Starc vs Trent Boult (Super speed, swing and control - Even out each other)
James Faulkner vs Daniel Vettori (Cannot compare but Vettori way ahead in that spin department and can be the difference in NZ winning or losing this final)
Its amazing how close this is man to man.
Nothing much to choose from. Its all to play for at the #MCG.
Let the Trans-Tasman war begin...
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Battle of the hosts for the coveted #CWC15 crown
Who will prevail?
Australia led by Pup Michael Clarke and formidable batting/bowling side
OR
New Zealand led by the charismatic Brendon McCullum and his pack of hungry tigers?
How does it look?
- Home advantage to Aus while form advantage to NZ
- Bowling - NZ superior due to overall balance (spin + seam)
- Batting - Australia slightly superior overall
- Fielding - At par,
- Match winners - at par
- Captains - McCullum slight edge over Clarke on individual form
Will the #MCG pose a big challenge to the Kiwis? Remember they are the only team that has not played on Australian grounds in this #CWC15. Could that bring about their downfall? The New Zealand grounds are pale shadow of the Australian grounds in terms of their size, magnitude and imposing presence on the players. Kiwis have to contend with that on the biggest day of their cricketing careers. If they overcome that, they are in for a bull fight with the Aussies.
Will lack of quality spin hurt Australia? Remember, Australia were brilliantly thwarted at Eden Park by that magical spell from #DanielVettori when they seemed settled for a big one! #TrentBoult just nailed them later to dismiss them for 151. #RaviAshwin troubled them in the semis as well. This could just be Dan "the man" Vettori's day and his last hurrah for New Zealand.
WOW.. the margins are so close!
WHO WILL WIN THE CUP?
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