A new champion awaits

Whoever wins at Dubai in the final between Australia or New Zealand tonight, the world will get a new champion as none of these teams have ever won the silverware of global T20 superiority.

Australia have secured all the major trophies in international cricket so far except the T20 World Cup. New Zealand have played the final of three ICC events since 2015 but only managed to win the ICC Test Championship in June.

The trans-Tasman rivals have met in 14 Twenty20 internationals so far. Australia have won nine matches while New Zealand have won four times, with the remaining one ending in a tie.

Both teams met in the first-ever T20I back in 2005, which was more of a fun event for the players as the New Zealand cricketers donned their retro jersey, and some of them also put on wigs to look like rockstars.

Glen McGrath imitated Trevor Chappell by bowing and under-arm delivery, for which he received a red card from umpire Billy Bowden.

The whole concept was having fun, but in 16 years, things have changed entirely as T20 has been elevated to serious cricket, and when both the teams lock horns for a World title, fun is not on the cards.

Aaron Finch is also excited to face the neighbours in a tense battle.

“I think both teams have got a great history in cricket. Well, not just cricket, but as neighbours, so to speak. It’s a great relationship. We play quite a bit against New Zealand now and we always have great battles regardless of the format,” he said.

“Yeah, it’s bloody exciting to be playing against New Zealand. They are a great team and led super by Kane Williamson. So, it’s just one of those things that both teams seem to have found their way into each other’s path along the way in some tournaments. So, yeah, it’s really exciting,” he added.

The Australian captain is also keen to win the trophy, one that has eluded them, for his country.

“It’s one that’s eluded us in the past, and the fact that we are here in the final gives us the best opportunity to rectify that. Everyone had written us off but we had a lot of confidence within. We’re really confident the way that we were preparing, the way that our strategy was coming together,” Finch added.

New Zealand will be missing Devon Conway, who broke his hand out of frustration by punching the bat in the semi-final against England. But skipper Kane Williamson thinks that his absence will not shift the focus.

“Obviously, the loss of Devon is a big one. You know, he’s been a big part of all formats for us, and you know, a disappointing and really freak thing to happen. But for us, it’s keeping our focus on the task, and all the players are really excited with the opportunity tomorrow to go out, and like I say, try to improve and adjust to what will be new tomorrow, which is a different opposition and a different venue,” he said.

Williamson, leading his men in the third final in three years, has experienced both sides of the coin and is calm ahead of the big match.

“Where it stands at the moment is there’s a game of cricket to play, and for us, it’s focusing on that and focusing on our cricket and looking to go out there and implement those things that are important to us.

“So that is very much where we are at the moment. But you know, these sorts of events are always, you know, focus I suppose on the calendar and there’s a really exciting opportunity to be here now. Looking forward to the match tomorrow (today),” said Williamson.