CWC 2019: Final Preview – Moment of ultimate glory beckons as world awaits new champions

The moment which we have all been eagerly waiting for is finally here. After a month and a half of a cricket carnival and some nerve-wracking action, we are on the cusp of witnessing another World Cup final. After registering two exciting wins in the semi-finals, 22 men from England and New Zealand stand the verge of immortality, when they take the field at the iconic Lord’s, aiming to win their first World Cup crown. Both the teams are yet to win a World Cup in their history, so we are guaranteed to witness a new name written on the glittering trophy.

While England massacred their eternal rivals Australia in the semis, New Zealand inflicted a heartbreak on more than a billion people after sealing a close victory against India. While England were the pre-tournament favourites, nobody had given the Kiwis a chance when the four semi-finals were finally set in stone. But with their dogged determination and will to fight till the end, New Zealand have ensured that they will compete in a second successive World Cup final after the disappointment in Melbourne four years ago. For England, reaching the final is the culmination of a long and arduous process, which saw them completely flip the rulebook and start things afresh, after the brand of outdated cricket which they displayed during the last World Cup. Having become the most fearsome unit in world cricket, they will undoubtedly head into the final as the favourites.

Match Info

New Zealand vs England, Final

Lord’s, London (3:00 pm IST)

Head-to-Head

Played – 90

New Zealand wins – 43

England wins – 41

Tied – 2

N/R – 4

In World Cup matches, the two teams have faced-off against each other on 9 occasions. The Kiwis enjoy a superior record here as well, having won 5 matches to England’s 4. It is also interesting to note that in the 2 ODI matches between the sides at Lord’s, the Kiwis have come out on top in both the encounters.

Team News

New Zealand

All the 11 Kiwis on the field in the semi-final against India, fought like a bunch of warriors and made a key contribution. If they failed to make much of a difference with the bat or the ball, they were like lions on the field pouncing on each and every opportunity. They will look to continue with the same spirit which has served them so well, in the final. They were underdogs in the semis, they will be the underdogs during the final. But they will quite like the fact that not many are expecting them to walk away with the glory and will quietly go about conducting their own business.

England

England will not waver from the aggressive approach which has taken them to the top of the mountain. Not now. They are aggressive with the bat all the way through. And they are aggressive with the ball especially with two rapid pacers – Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in their ranks. If there is a bit of movement on the pitch, Chris Woakes becomes as dangerous as an operator as any, as seen in the game against Australia. But despite their strength in the bowling department, the onus again will be on their fearsome batting order, especially the openers to again dictate the tempo of the game. Jos Buttler too has had a quiet time for a while now in the tournament. Will it be his day?

Key Players

Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Who else but Kane? The New Zealand skipper has had a wonderful tournament so far and has enjoyed an exceptional record against England since 2015. He has scored 689 runs in 11 innings at an average of 68.9 and a best score of 118. Another masterclass in the final and he could very well cement his legacy as the greatest ever player in the history of New Zealand’s cricket.

Jonny Bairstow (England): Ever since moving to the top of the order, Jonny Bairstow has been nothing short of a revelation for the Three Lions. He has already formed the greatest ever opening partnership in the history of English ODI cricket with Jason Roy, where the pair go hell for leather from the first ball. He has a good record against the Kiwis since 2015, scoring 491 runs at a staggering average of 81.8 and a highest score of 138.

Probable XI

New Zealand: M Guptill, H Nicholls, K Williamson (c), R Taylor, T Latham (wk), J Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, M Santner, M Henry, L Ferguson, T Boult.

England: J Bairstow, J Roy, J Root, E Morgan (c), B Stokes, J Buttler (wk), C Woakes, L Plunkett, J Archer, A Rashid, M Wood.

Stat Attack

• Since 18th June 2017 (after Champions Trophy 2017), New Zealand have never
  lost defending scores of over 245 runs.
• England have lost only 5 games defending scores since 18th June 2017
  (after Champions Trophy 2017) in 23 matches.
• England have never lost an ODI match whenever Jason Roy has scored a century. He has 9 ODI hundreds to his name.
• In his first tournament, Jofra Archer is already the 5th highest wicket-taker
  for England in World Cups with 19 scalps to his name.