“They are both very good teams, but if you just saw them on paper and if you try and see weaknesses in the Australian team, I am not sure where you find one. Their top-order batting is brilliant, their new-ball bowling is brilliant, their all-rounders are some of the best in the world and they are going to play at the MCG, where they know the conditions really well.”—Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting.

“One cannot overlook the power of home ground advantage. Australia love playing at the MCG with their last loss there, coming against Sri Lanka back in March 2012. Trent Boult, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets, has been superb throughout the tournament and it just may be him to take New Zealand to their maiden title.”

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

“Yes, Brendon McCullum’s men can win, but as to whether they will, that is absolutely in the balance with the odds favouring Australia — but only just. That is not some Kiwi self-deprecation, but rather an acknowledgement that Michael Clarke’s side has a slight advantage because they know the conditions better than the Black Caps. Rather than being daunted or overawed, I expect this New Zealand side to be excited at the prospect of creating history and to rise to the occasion because, as they have shown numerous times not only in this tournament but also in the past 18 months or so, the bigger the challenge, the more determined they have become.”—Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

“Australia has only a two-day break before for the final, but I think this is a good thing. The Kiwis have been in Melbourne since Wednesday and they have been trying to distract themselves with a lot of golf and nets. Sometimes this doesn’t help. Sometimes, sitting in your room and thinking too much can be your enemy.”

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

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