Considering the manner in which both Australia and New Zealand won their semi-final matches, another dramatic match can be expected in ‘Ring of Fire’.
Australia has won a record five World Cup titles in 50-over cricket but interestingly, they are yet to win the T20 World Cup trophy.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has always been a consistent performer in ICC (International Cricket Council) competitions and now seems to have the confidence to move forward under the able leadership of Kane Williamson.
This will be their maiden T20 World Cup final and if they win it, it will be a great achievement for the country which has consistently produced world-class players.
As far as the T20 clash between the two teams is concerned, Australia has always dominated the current World Test champions. But New Zealand had won their only World Cup match at the 2016 edition in India.
The final match of the World Cup final between the two teams was in 2015 in the 50-over format, which was won by Australia, who have not won an ICC tournament since then.
Fans of both the teams will have to stay up till the night to watch the match on their TV sets as it will start after midnight in both the countries.
New Zealand have been the best bowling team in the group stage, showing their batting prowess before the tournament in the semi-finals against the strong contenders.
Martin Guptill has a very good record in T20Is against Australia and his opening partner Daryl Mitchell will also play in the final after playing the best innings of his career.
However, a big innings is awaited from captain Kane Williamson and he is expected to do well on the occasion on Sunday.
Jimmy Neesham proved his worth in the middle-order against England but New Zealand will miss the services of Devon Conway, who sustained a bat blow injury in the hope of being dismissed in the semi-finals, to be replaced by Tim Seifert.
The experienced fast bowling duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult are expected to keep a check on Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner in the powerplay.
Adam Milne has also done a decent job as the third pacer while leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been impressive in the middle overs.
Finch was taken aback by a quick inswinger from Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi in the semi-finals but would like to add to his 251 against New Zealand. He has the most runs in T20Is against New Zealand among Australian batsmen.
In the last two innings, Warner has shown that form is temporary and class is permanent. And there is every hope that he will show his bat in the final. On the other hand, better performances will be expected from Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith, who have not been able to make a big impact in the tournament so far.
Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade scored a thumping victory in the chase against Pakistan, making Australia look all set for a better result.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who has taken 12 wickets in the tournament at an average of 10.91, will again be expected to do well in the middle overs while Maxwell can also help with his off-spin.
The fast bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will play their first T20I match against New Zealand. Although Hazlewood could not do well against Pakistan, he will be eager to make a comeback.
The teams are as follows:
Australia :
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa . New Zealand :
Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Klay Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
The match will start at 7.30 pm Indian time.
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