Australia vs. New Zealand: Top Run-Scorers, Bowlers in Cricket World Cup Final
While Australia and New Zealand are undeniably the two finest sides at this World Cup, when the two get set to square off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the showpiece final, there’s always a chance one display of individual brilliance will decide the outcome.
So often in this tournament, a team has been hauled to victory by sensational hitting or a spell of exemplary bowling, and with the stakes high, there’s every chance one of these superb cricketers could turn in the performance of a lifetime to sway the game the way of his team.
Ahead of the final, here’s a look at the top batsmen and bowlers in the tournament so far as well as a player representing each side who has the quality to take the game away from the opposition.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
| 1. | Martin Guptill (NZ) | 532 | 237* | 76.00 | 108.79 |
| 2. | Steve Smith (Aus) | 346 | 105 | 57.66 | 94.02 |
| 3. | Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 328 | 77 | 41.00 | 191.81 |
| 4. | Glenn Maxwell (Aus) | 324 | 102 | 64.80 | 182.02 |
| 5. | David Warner (Aus) | 300 | 178 | 50.00 | 124.48 |
| 1. | Trent Boult (NZ) | 75.0 | 331 | 21 | 5/27 | 4.41 |
| 2. | Mitchell Starc (Aus) | 55.5 | 204 | 20 | 6/28 | 3.65 |
| 3. | Daniel Vettori (NZ) | 70.5 | 282 | 15 | 4/18 | 3.98 |
| 4. | Tim Southee (NZ) | 73.0 | 407 | 15 | 7/33 | 5.57 |
| 5. | Corey Anderson (NZ) | 35.1 | 227 | 14 | 3/18 | 6.45 |
Steve Smith
Having become arguably Australia’s most important player in Test match cricket over the past 12 months, Steve Smith is quickly establishing a spot in the one-day international team of equal significance. Indeed, with scores of 95, 72, 65 and 105 in his last four outings at this World Cup, he’s a man in magnificent form at the moment.
However, as noted here by OptaJason, there is one potentially minor flaw in Smith's game:
But such is the mindset of this brilliant young batsman that it would be no surprise to see him walk out at the MCG and make a match-winning total for his team. Smith is a man who seems to take everything insouciantly in his stride, and when a new obstacle is placed in front of him, the Sydney-born star typically overcomes it with distinction.
As noted by former India batsman VVS Laxman, Smith looks almost unstoppable at the moment:
There’s little doubt he’ll be the prize wicket for this quality New Zealand bowling attack. Smith has done an excellent job at steadying the ship following an early loss, and he’s typically the player Australia build their efforts around. Getting him out in the infancy of the innings and stuck into the middle order would give New Zealand’s chances a massive boost.
Trent Boult
Leading the charge for the Black Caps with the ball will be Trent Boult, who has been the finest exponent with new ball at this tournament. The left-armer has bamboozled opposition batsmen with his array of different deliveries and handed New Zealand a host of momentum-building wickets early on in the innings.
As noted by BBC Test Match Special, he’s a bowler who has shone in the opening stages of the competition up to now:
Boult will have fine memories of playing against Australia too. He caused major problems for the batsmen when the two teams last met in the group stages, turning in one of the best individual spells of left-arm fast-bowling ever seen. It was an effort that has been somewhat forgotten amid the dramatic manner in which the Black Caps secured that one-wicket win.
Skipper Brendon McCullum has utilised Boult superbly too, and alongside Tim Southee, they're a formidable opening bowling combination. Indeed, the captain allowed the opening bowler to go through all 10 of his overs in succession during the match against the West Indies, such was the head of steam he'd built up.
As noted by Andy Zaltzman of ESPNcricinfo, Boult is pretty economical too:
New Zealand have started quickly with both bat and ball at this World Cup, with their front foot allowing them to establish momentum in matches. Expect Boult to come out of the traps flying once again at the MCG as he looks to bowl New Zealand to their first-ever world title.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
