After 47 matches in the ICC World Cup 2019 and innumerable moments of amazing cricket, the time has finally come for the grand finale of the tournament, which will be played at the home of cricket, the Lord’s cricket ground in London, on July 14.
The two teams vying to become the World Champions are England and New Zealand and it is certain that we will have a new, first-time title holder this time around, as neither of the teams have won a 50-over World Cup previously.
England fulfilled their potential of being the hosts and reaching the finals, pummeling Australia in the semi-finals in a dominating performance. Batsmen like Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes have done their work to perfection and someone like Jonny Bairstow has done his work of taking on the bowlers wonderfully well. However, it has been their bowlers who have been amazing to say the least.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have terrorized the opposition batsmen with pace and bounce, just ask Alex Carey. The supporting cast of Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett have done their job nicely. New Zealand have a tough ask on their hands, with such bowlers getting the job done with the new ball.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has been scraping and scratching their way to victory. They have fought hard for wins, which was seen against India in the semi-finals as they didn’t give up hopes even when Jadeja and Dhoni were taking the fight to them. In Ferguson, Boult and Henry, the Kiwis have three of the best new ball bowlers who are ready to take advantage of the swing on offer early on.
Their only concern is their batting which currently revolves around Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and James Neesham. Guptill, Nicholls and Latham haven’t been really contributing much to their cause and this can come back to haunt them in the all-important match, given the quality of bowlers that the hosts possess.
The match is expected to be a great encounter between two of the best sides in the tournament who have shown amazing fight and skills to reach the finals of the World Cup and be ready to witness a high class encounter between England and New Zealand.
England Predicted Playing XI:
Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:
Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
