Finally, after witnessing some exciting cricket till the semi-finals, we are just a day away from the summit clash of the ICC World Cup 2015 between the co-hosts Australia and New Zealand. It’ll be for the first time that both will face off each other in the finals of a World Cup. With both teams on a winning rampage throughout the tournament, a fierce battle can be expected. Here is the stats preview of this all important clash:
–> 3-2 New Zealand’s win-loss record in the last five ODIs against Australia at MCG. The last match between the two teams at this venue in 2009 was won by New Zealand
–> 6-3 Australia’s head-to-head advantage in nine World Cup games between the two teams.
–> 7 Number of Finals Australia have made it to a World Cup Final (1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015). No other team except West Indies have qualified for more than three finals.
–> This will be New Zealand’s first World Cup final. Previously, they had qualified for six semi-finals (including this World Cup) but never made it to the finals.
–> 6 Number of consecutive ODI wins for Australia at MCG. The last time they lost here was against Sri Lanka in 2012.
–> 532 Runs scored by New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in 8 matches this World Cup, more than anyone from Australia.
–> 65.61 Aaron Finch’s batting average at the MCG. He has scored two hundreds and one fifty in six innings at this venue.
–> 21 Wickets taken by New Zealand’s Trent Boult in 8 matches this World Cup, more than anyone from Australia.
–> 10.20 Mitchell Starc’s bowling average in 7 matches this World Cup, the best by any bowler in the tournament so far.
–> 1 Number of century stands conceded by both New Zealand and Australia in this World Cup- the least among teams.