Kane Williamson: England deserve to be World Cup final favourites

The New Zealand skipper does not believe the experience of defeat four years ago to Australia will make a difference to the Kiwis' chances at Lord's

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is content with England's status as World Cup favourites ahead of the final at Lord's on Sunday.

The Kiwis are into their second final in a row having lost to fellow co-hosts Australia in 2015.

Eoin Morgan's men are ranked No.1 in the ICC one-day international rankings and were tipped by many before the tournament to go all the way.

"A lot of people say that on a number of occasions which is great and I think England rightly so deserve to be favourites," said Williamson.

"Coming into this tournament from the start, they were favourites and they've been playing really good cricket. 

"But whatever dog we are, it's just important that we focus on the cricket that we want to play and we have seen over the years that anybody can beat anybody regardless of breed of dog."

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Their first appearance in the final four years ago ended in an emphatic seven-wicket defeat in Melbourne after New Zealand were skittled for just 183, with Williamson himself making just 12 before being caught and bowled by Mitchell Johnson.

The Baggy Green knocked off the target for the loss of just three wickets and with 101 balls remaining.

Five of the side from that loss at the MCG are expected to feature at Lord's on Sunday, but Williamson is not convinced that experience will make a major difference come the second outing in the final.

"Yeah, well, there's a whole heap of different things, I suppose," he added. 

"We were in a different part of the world on a different surface against different opposition, and both sides are very different from four years ago, so it's kind of hard to compare those times.

^{Kane Williamson was among the side beaten by Australia four years ago}

"Whether having had experience in a final or not is a good thing. Any final you get the opportunity to play in is a really positive thing.

"But at the same time as we know in this game nothing promises, so it does come down to putting a performance on the board that gives us the best opportunity to win and both sides will be very much looking to do that and trying to treat the game as any other game.

"But it's a really exciting, special occasion and I think both teams will be savouring the opportunity to be where we are at the moment."

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