Decisive day for gentlemen's game

Today is a decisive day for the gentlemen's game. The new world champions in cricket would be known by this evening after the final of the 14-nation tournament between four-times champions Australia and unbeaten New Zealand in Melbourne. Winning the world cup is nothing new for Australia as they had done it three times in-a-raw - a feat no other team has performed to date. They have made it a habit of winning and remained on top of world cricket for nearly two decades. Their ODI track record of 528 wins in 855 matches makes them firm favourites to win the fourth World Cup title. They have lost only 287 matches with 31 no results and nine tied games.

In contrast, New Zealand has more defeats than wins in their overall ODI track record of 681 matches. They have won only 299 matches whereas the Kiwis have lost 339 matches with 37 no results and six tied games. Who knows whether New Zealand could register their 300th ODI victory today for crowning glory?

New Zealand's path to their dream World Cup final should be an example to any team. Hardly anybody ever thought in their wildest dreams that the Kiwis would come this far. A few months before the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand was never considered a serious contender for the title.

But the turning point which led to New Zealand's roller-coaster run in the current world cup tournament was their seven-match home series against Sri Lanka just before the commencement of the 14-nation tournament.

The Kiwis started the ODI home series with a bang, losing the first ODI to Sri Lanka by three wickets in Christchurch on January 11. They bounced back to win the second ODI by six wickets, exactly a month away from the commencement of the 2015 World Cup. The fighting qualities of the Kiwis were evident right throughout the ODI series against Sri Lanka. After a rain-hit third match of the series, New Zealand came back strongly to win the next three matches of the series in-a-row to wrap up the series. Although Sri Lanka had a consolation win in the last match of the series, New Zealand registered a creditable 4-2 victory in the seven-match ODI series with one no result.

The comfortable series victory against Sri Lanka was a tremendous morale-booster for New Zealand as they were down to play the same team in the 'curtain raiser' of the 2015 World Cup. Hence, the Kiwis came to the opening match of the tournament in Christchurch with their heads high as they had beaten Sri Lanka only a month before.

Inspired by their ODI series win, New Zealand got off to a winning start in the World Cup, crushing Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the first of the 42 qualifying round matches of the tournament. There was no looking back since then as the Kiwis soon turned out to be an invincible force in the world's cricketing extravaganza, winning all the eight matches they have played so far in the tournament.

But the most unforgettable moment in New Zealand cricket in recent times was their giant-killing display in their Group 'A' qualifier against mighty Australia in Auckland. True that the Australians displayed their fighting qualities even after they had been bowled out for 151 runs, but the Kiwis pulled off a dramatic one wicket victory at the end.

However, all that is now history and what matters is how they play from the first ball today. Australia will forget that one bad day in Auckland and would look at today's final with a new approach. Undoubtedly, Michael Clark's men will be both physically and mentally fit for the crucial hurdle. Compared to New Zealand, Australia are far ahead when it comes to handling pressure situations and fighting back until the last ball. That is a huge plus point which makes Aussies the firm favourites.

New Zealand must come out with something exceptional, if they are to stop Australians from kissing the glittering World Cup today. The Kiwis have won all eight matches of the current tournament before their home supporters. They will not enjoy the same luxury today. On the other hand, Melbourne has always been a happy-hunting venue for Australia.

There is a huge difference between the two venues - Auckland's Eden Park at which the Kiwis edged out Australia in the first round and Melbourne's MCG where the two teams meet in today's final. At Eden Park, batsmen have the luxury of the shortest boundaries in the world but they have to sweat for fours and sixers at the MCG which has the longest boundary. The number of sixers hit at the two venues during the current tournament speaks volumes of the contrasting boundary lines at Eden Park and the MCG - 56 to 19!

Australian captain Clarke has described his team's narrow loss at Eden Park as "kick up their backside" the Aussies needed before more important games. That was the only batting debacle for Clarke's men in the tournament and since then, Australia has made vast improvement in every aspect. A few strategic changes made within the team too have helped Australia to transform them to be a tough contender.

The MCG will be packed to capacity today. This is the first time in 40-year-old World Cup history that two co-hosts have made it to the final. Hence, the Kiwis will not feel much that they are way from their home territory.

It is heartening to see a team such as New Zealand fighting all their way to a dream final. This is the best chance for the Kiwis to come from behind and open a golden era in New Zealand cricket. True that it will be a tall order for New Zealand. Nevertheless, they are capable of spoiling the victory celebrations the Australians have already planned.