Cricket World Cup final: Australia will take on New Zealand
The home team will be favourites in Melbourne, but New Zealand have a warning for their hosts
Australia will play New Zealand in Melbourne on Sunday in the final of the cricket World Cup.
In a packed and raucous Sydney Cricket Ground, the defending champions were well beaten by an Australian side in which Steve Smith shone.
His 105 from 93 balls enabled the Aussies to reach 328 for 7 in their 50 overs, a total that proved way out of reach for their opponents. "We thought 330 was around par, we knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a great job so roll on Melbourne!" exclaimed Smith, who was named Man of the Match.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After a relatively lean few years, Australian cricket is in rude health once more and on Sunday they'll be chasing their fifth world crown, no mean achievement considering no other country has won more than two.
"It's going to be an amazing moment to play a World Cup final against New Zealand – they've played some very good cricket," said Smith. "I hope I have more runs in the bank – a big hundred would be nice."
His century, and a patient 81 by opener Aaron Finch, was the foundation on which Australia compiled their total, and India were always struggling to keep up the chase when their innings began.
Though openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put on 76 for the first wicket, their dismissals in quick succession, along with that of Virat Khoni, piled the pressure on the Indians and ultimately only captain MS Dhoni managed to make a half-century.
"They started quite well but never really got away from us," explained Smith. "Once we got the first wicket we were away. We have match-winners and they were able to do their stuff today."
Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazelwood and James Faulkner all picked up wickets for Australia but the pick of their bowlers was Mitch Starc, whose figures of two for 28 in 8.5 overs were outstanding in the circumstances. "Over 300 is a very big score to chase, but I thought it was just over par," reflected Dhoni. "I felt the fast bowlers would have done slightly better. A lot of people didn't think we would get this far in the tournament, but in the knockout stages you have to raise your game."
Though New Zealand beat Australia when the sides met in the group stages earlier in the tournament, Smith had this warning for the Kiwis ahead of Sunday's final. "We said we want to be playing our best cricket at the end of the tournament," he said. "I don't think we've put a full game together yet so hopefully we will do that for the final."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What's wrong with Pakistan's cricket team?
Under the Radar Dramatic downfall of previous powerhouse blamed on poor management and appointments of regime favourites at governing body PCB
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cricket is swiftly becoming America's new obsession
In the Spotlight Team USA recently shocked the world by beating Pakistan in the Men's World Cup
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Drunken hooligans': America's cricket fears
Why Everyone's Talking About South Asian community 'energised' by sport's growing popularity in US but some locals oppose new stadiums
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Alphonso Davies expects a ‘goalfest’
The Week Recommends Key talking points ahead of the Champions League final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s ‘World Cup’: Pep Guardiola’s team bid for Champions League glory
The Week Recommends Sky Blues prepare for a potential three knockout games in eight days in Portugal
By Mike Starling Published
-
On the prowl for No.16: Tiger Woods is geared up for PGA Championship challenge
The Week Recommends First major of the year will be held behind closed doors at TPC Harding Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy
The Week Recommends World No.1 golfer aims to become the first back-to-back winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship event
By The Week Staff Published