Australia and England are undoubtedly the best teams in the third edition of the ICC T20 World Cup and hence it’s good to see two very deserving finalists battle it out for the title. Both England and Australia came into the semis having won all their Super-8 matches comfortably. But while England went past Sri Lanka with ease in the semis, Australia faced a monumental challenge from defending champions Pakistan. But they were up to the task and came out on top to set up the title clash with their old foes.
Each team has had its share of glory in the past. However, for a major part of the last two decades, Australia has been the dominant side. But the teams have been more evenly matched in recent times. England reclaimed the Ashes in August 2009, but Australia has managed to maintain the upper-hand in the limited overs format. This time around though both the teams are on a roll and there is not much that separates them on paper. Thus, cricket lovers around the world should be witness to a high intensity clash for the ultimate prize in the shortest format of the game.
Barring the semi-final against Pakistan, Australia has virtually faced well every obstacle that has come in their way. They have played the same eleven in each and every match. The players seem to well aware of their respective roles in the team and more often than not, they have successfully come up with what has been expected from them. Hence, the same XI should in all probability walk out to the park to battle for the title. Australia’s openers, Shane Watson and David Warner, are probably the most destructive opening pair in world cricket. Skipper, Michael Clarke has been very flexible with the batting line-up. Players have been sent in according to the situation of the game. Australia have picked up 56 wickets out of a possible 60, the highest in the tournament by a fair distance. The opening pair of Dirk Nannes and Shan Tait have been quick and terrorized most top order batsmen.
England has not been among the title contenders in ICC tournaments in recent times. An important factor that has helped them come this far is the fact that just like Australia, they have a very settled line-up. They have got the right combination in the playing XI and have played the same team throughout the tournament, except for a single match where Kevin Pietersen was unavailable. The opening duo of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter has got the team off to great starts on most occasions. An average score of 50+ in the powerplays, the highest for any team in the tournament, bears testimony to that fact. Pietersen at number 3 is probably playing the best cricket of his career. Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright have delivered whenever the top order has struggled. England’s pace trio of Tim Bresnan, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad have been a force to reckon with. The quicker men have been backed up suitably by the spinners, Graeme Swann and Micheal Yardy. Both teams have played quality cricket in the past two weeks to reach this far. All in all it should be a keenly contested match between two quality sides.
Match Timings: May 16, 2010 (15:30 GMT | 11:30 local | 21:00 IST)
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