T20 World Cup 2021 final match preview: Australia v New Zealand

Team news, likely XIs, form guide, players to watch, odds, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, umpire appointments and everything else you need to know

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What’s the match?

Australia take on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm BST) on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Dubai International Stadium: Ground guide

Who’s got the form?

Australia finished the Super 12s in second place in Group One, winning four matches and losing one in the so-called 'group of death'. They then stunned Group Two winners Pakistan in the semi-finals, chasing down 176 with an over to spare thanks to a 17-ball 41 from Matthew Wade. England are the only side to have beaten Aaron Finch's men in the UAE and the Aussies are yet to lose when batting second, chasing down 150-plus targets on three occasions.

New Zealand also finished second in their group, losing to Pakistan in their tournament opener before going on to defeat India, Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan. Against England in the semi-final, the Black Caps also enjoyed themselves at the death, smashing 57 runs off overs 17 to 19 to win with six balls remaining. New Zealand have now won 13 of their 19 completed T20Is in 2021.

These two sides have met 14 times in T20Is, with Australia winning on nine occasions.

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What are the odds?

Dafabet have installed Australia as the favourites to lift the trophy, offering odds of 6/10 in favour of Finch's side. New Zealand are available at 13/10.

Who are the ones to watch?

Big-hitting middle-order batters have been crucial to Australia and New Zealand reaching the final. For Australia, Matthew Wade's 17-ball 41 got them over the line against Pakistan and the wicketkeeper has scored his 74 runs at a strike rate of 164.44. They also have Marcus Stoinis, who has 80 runs at a strike rate of 137.93, and Glenn Maxwell who, despite being nowhere near his best over the past six matches, always has a big kncok in his locker. For New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham hit a crucial 11-ball 27 against England and will be even more integral to his side on Sunday in the absence of Devon Conway.

Elsewhere, Adam Zampa has been one of the standout bowlers at the tournament. Ranked 55th on the T20 Player Index, the spinner has taken a team-leading 12 wickets in six innings and conceded just 5.69 runs per over. Against Pakistan, his miserly 1 for 22 was integral in keeping Babar Azam and co to a sub-180 total.

Meanwhile, for New Zealand, it's all about top-order duo Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell. If one, or preferably, both of the openers can bat deep into the innings, the Black Caps will have a solid foundation to play with at the death.

What's the team news?

New Zealand will be without Devon Conway who broke his hand after punching his bat in frustration during the semi-final. Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert is the most likely candidate to replace him, although New Zealand could select allrounder Mark Chapman and use Glenn Phillips behind the stumps.

Australia will likely go unchanged.

Who are the umpires?

The following umpires and match referees have been named by the ICC to officiate in the T20 World Cup 2021:

Referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Javagal Srinath

Umpires: Chris Brown, Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Rod Tucker, Joel Wilson, Paul Wilson

The following officials have been allocated to this fixture: 

On-field umpires: Erasmus, Kettleborough

TV umpire: Menon

Fourth umpire: Dharmasena

Referee: Madugalle

Full T20 World Cup officials appointments: Click here

What's the weather forecast?

The temperature will be hovering around 29 degrees Celsius at the start of play.

Follow the Met Office forecast here.

Are fans allowed in?

Yes, though Covid protocols including the wearing of face masks will be in place.

Click here to visit the ICC's ticketing site.

What’s the prediction?

The absence of Devon Conway certainly tips the scales in Australia's favour. Aaron Finch to lift the trophy on Sunday evening after a tight encounter.

T20 WORLD CUP TEAM GUIDES

Afghanistan

Australia

Bangladesh

England

India

Ireland

Namibia

Netherlands

New Zealand

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Scotland

South Africa

Sri Lanka

West Indies

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Talk Talk 404, BT TV 423, Virgin 504) will broadcast the series in the United Kingdom, with the content available online via its streaming platform Sky Go.

BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have live ball-by-ball radio commentary of all tournament matches, accessible through the BBC Sport website, BBC Sounds or DAB radio.

The Star Sports network is showing the tournament in India. Matches can be streamed via Disney+ Hotstar

Other broadcasters by territory:

Australia - Fox Sports, Channel 9, Kayo Sports

New Zealand – Sky Sport New Zealand

Pakistan - PTV Sports, Ten Sports

Bangladesh - Ghazi Tv (GTV)

Sri Lanka – SLRC (Channel Eye)

South Africa – SuperSport

Caribbean – ESPN

Middle East and North Africa – eLife TV, StarzPlay, Switch TV

USA – ESPN+

Singapore - Star Cricket, Star Hub and Singtel

Malaysia - Fox International Channels

Hong Kong - Star Cricket

What are the squads?

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson (injured, replaced by Adam Milne on October 26), Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

What are the likely starting XIs?

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazelwood

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

T20 World Cup Hub: News, features, stats, live scores

T20 World Cup fixtures

T20 World Cup squads

Our coverage of the T20 World Cup is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here

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