‘Little to choose between two finalists’

The feistiness of Australia is set to clash with the tactical shrewdness of a perennially understated New Zealand today. Apart from history, the current form of the Aussies place them as favourites. However, former India batter VVS Laxman reckons that despite the absence of Devon Conway, the Kiwis cannot be counted out.

"There is little to choose between the two finalists, with Australia having the slight edge following the freak injury to Devon Conway. But as history will testify, New Zealand is a side that can be taken lightly at one's own peril," Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India on Saturday. Thus, the cricket fans can expect a fierce battle between Australian batting versus New Zealand bowling if they consider the stats so far.

The Aussies have a batting dot-ball percentage of 24 percent between overs 17 and 20 during this tournament, the best of any team and three percentages fewer than the Kiwis. New Zealand's bowling economy rate of 6.40 is the best among the lot at this mega event, whereas Australia is ranked tenth with a bowling economy of an even 7. And considering how both the Aussies and the Black Caps won their respective semifinals against fancied opponents, one can expect another dramatic finish at the "Ring of Fire".