Cricket World Cup Final 2015: Live Stream, Weather Forecast and Updated Odds
After New Zealand secured their place, the race is on between Australia and India to find out who will join the Black Caps in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final.
New Zealand saw off the challenge of a valiant South Africa side in their clash on Tuesday, triumphing by four wickets to earn a place in their first-ever World Cup final, having lost six times at the semi-final stage previously.
Australia take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday to determine who will contest the final. Here's all the information you need on where to catch the final, and the latest odds after New Zealand's win.
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Date: Sunday, March 29
Time: 4:30 a.m. (BST), 11:30 p.m. (ET), 2:30 p.m. (local time)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), ESPN Cricket 2015 (US)
Forecast: Mostly sunny, 26°C
As you can see from the forecast, it's set to be a warm and sunny day for the final, with a gentle breeze of 14 mph, so the conditions are set for a great showdown, between two outstanding teams.
Here are the latest odds, as of 2:30 p.m. GMT, March 24.
| Australia | 11/10 |
| New Zealand | 6/4 |
| India | 9/2 |
Despite New Zealand's dramatic win, co-hosts Australia remain the favourites to win the tournament, perhaps owing to their home advantage in the semi-final and then the final, should they get there.
Australia captain Michael Clarke is hoping this advantage will be a decisive factor, canvassing support on Twitter:
The four-time World Cup winners are in excellent form, having lost just one match at the tournament so far.
The Kangaroos have been excellent in all departments, with pace bowler Mitchell Starc's 18 wicket-haul second only to Trent Boult. Steve Smith is playing himself into form as well, his knock of 65 was crucial in the quarter-final against Pakistan, as noted by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle:
Nevertheless, 11/10 won't see much of a return.
At 6/4, New Zealand wouldn't bring a significantly higher return, but having won every single match at the tournament so far, they shouldn't be overlooked.
Their incredible showdown with South Africa, in which they won with a six on the penultimate ball (see below), attracted attention from some of the biggest names in the sport:
With strong support behind the Black Caps as co-hosts, they could make a more promising bet than Australia.
Compared with their rivals, India at 9/2 is something of a steal.
The defending champions, also unbeaten at the World Cup, have done plenty of impressing of their own:
Their impressive variation of pace and spin, through the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, has seen them take 70 out of 70 wickets—an incredible feat.
With their ability to bowl in different styles, they are well suited to playing on faster or slower pitches, and having enjoyed World Cup success in 2011, they know how to force their way through tough knockout matches.
India are classed as the outside bet, but they may actually be the best wager.
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