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Kangaroos ‘ Kiwis in grudge battle

Australia and New Zealand will front up to each other in a game that could be best described as a ‘grudge fight’ when they get into the cricket ring that is the SuperSport Park, Centurion in South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy final starting at 6 p.m. Sri Lanka time today.

Since that day when Australian skipper Greg Chappell got his brother Trevor to bowl an underarm delivery when these teams met in limited over game, their meetings have always been keenly contested ones, with no quarter asked or given. Losing will be anathema to them.

From the first ball to the last,the two teams will go for each other’s jagular and they will not let go till the final ball is bowled. Hence those on the ground and the millions glued to their radio and TV sets will be provided thrill a minute action.

When Trevor delivered that underam delivery, he was playing to the rules, which at that time allowed an underam delivery to be bowled after informing the umpire. Greg and Trevor were accused and lynched for not playing in the spirit of the game. That incident created the wounds that have still not healed. It nearly brought both countries to war. But finally saner counsel prevailed and although they will meet promising to play the game, feelings will run high on the field.

To the final and the team winning the toss and batting first will have a slight advantage. Not that the side batting second is going to lose.

If the wicket on which the first semi-final between Australia and England was played is an indication, then the wicket will play easy and batting first or second would not matter.

England and Australia enjoyed a run glut at the SuperSport Park wicket. According to reports, the curator has promised a wicket that will be batting and bowling friendly. If that promise turns out to be true, then batting first or chasing would not be a difficult task.

Australia the reigning champions will not let go of the trophy. If the brutal manner in which they dumped their traditional rivals England is an indication, then their batting juggernaut will strike ruthlessly and hard at the New Zealanders.

The Aussie batsmen led by skipper Ricky Ponting are in fine fettle. Ponting himself is batting at his best and yet another big score is expected from him. His receipe in defeating England was: ‘Respect every delivery’. And that is how he will gert his team to go in this final too.

Opener Shane Watson was in belligerent form against England smashing a brilliant three figure score. He is determined to continue in this form. He and Ponting did not allow any of the England bowlers to bowl line or length as they just pulverized them.

Michael Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Cameron White, Tim Paine and Mitchel Johnson are all capable batsmen and can be relied on to score.

In bowling they will look for an early breakthrough from the fearsome Brett Lee who can be lethal. Supporting Lee will be Mitchel Johnson, Shane Watson and Peter Siddle with spin coming from off spinner Nathan Hauritz.

As for New Zealand there will be no letting up now that they have entered the final. They scored impressive victories in entering the final and Daniel Vettori’s men are determined to stuff the kangaroos.

The Kiwis will certainly miss the big hitting of Jesse Ryder. Vettori too is carrying injuries, but is expected to play and deliver with both bat and ball.

Brendon McCallum, Martin Guptil, Grant Elliot and Ross Taylor will have to make big runs, while Shane Boind, Grant Elliott, Kyle Mills and Ian Butler will have to trouble the Aussie batsmen with pace while Vettori will try to out think the free scoring Aussie batsmen with his clever spin.

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