The End Game: England vs New Zealand | ICC World Cup 2019 Final

England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Final

England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Final: Over 45 days of thrilling action, glaring sentiments, heartbreaks and joy will see the end today as hosts England take on New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 final. Whoever wins, one thing is for certain; the World Cup is going to see a new champion. Both England and New Zealand have failed to win the Cup ever despite getting close.

England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Final

While New Zealand has reached their 2nd final in succession, England has made it to the final after 29 years with the last being in 1992, where they lost to Pakistan.

England has the momentum on their side, having won their last 3 games, and against top sides- India, New Zealand and Australia. What’s even better than that is the way they have beaten those quality sides. England dominated all the three games and gave their opponents no chance.

New Zealand, on the other hand, lost their momentum in the final phases of the tournament, having lost their last 3 league games, but the positive result against India in the semi-final would do their confidence a World of good and they would be ready to take on any side in the World.

Head to Head in World Cups: ENG vs NZ

Matches played between England and New Zealand: 9
Matches won by New Zealand: 5
Matches won by England: 4

Date Winner Margin Ground
07-03-2019 England 119 runs Chester le Street
2/20/2015 New Zealand 8 wickets Wellington
3/16/2007 New Zealand 6 wickets Gros Islet
2/14/1996 New Zealand 11 runs Ahmedabad
3/15/1992 New Zealand 7 wickets Wellington
6/15/1983 New Zealand 2 wickets Birmingham
06-09-1983 England 106 runs The Oval
6/20/1979 England 9 runs Manchester
06-11-1975 England 80 runs Nottingham

England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Final: New Zealand holds a slight advantage in the World Cups with a 5-4 win margin. While England would be looking to restore parity, New Zealand would be looking to take a 2 win-lead.

England had the early advantage, winning all the three initial games between the two sides in the World Cup 1975, 1979 and 1983, however, New Zealand bounced back to win the 2nd game in the 1983 World Cup between the two sides and then reduced the margin, winning the game in the World Cup 1992. New Zealand then won in 1996, 2007 and 2015 editions of the World Cup and their 1st loss to England in a World Cup game, came in the league stages after 36 years.

Who’s your favorite?

The final will be played at the Mecca of cricket- Lord’s. There have been a few matches in this World Cup at Lord’s and left-arm seamers seem to have had a happy outing. Right from Trent Boult to Shaheen Afridi to Mitchell Starc, all have had brilliant spells here and have taken fifers.

New Zealand, with Trent Boult in their rank, would be hoping for another such outing and making the most of it. England, on the other hand, would look to combat Boult by attacking him and setting the tone. England bat really deep and they can take the risk of going berserk early on, which might put huge pressure on the opposition, pegging them onto the back foot.

It would be interesting to see how the English batting approaches the New Zealand bowling. As we saw against India as well, the New Zealand bowling outfit is potent and they can run down even the best of batting line-ups. This battle would probably decide the fate of the game.

Kane Williamson will have to shoulder the batting responsibility yet again and ensure he is among the runs for his side to have any chance in this contest.

Key Battles:

Boult vs the England openers: The way Bairstow and Roy approach Boult and how Boult, bowls to these two would have a large impact on the game. This will set the tone of the game.

Williamson vs English attack:  Williamson has been New Zealand’s leading run-getter with 548 runs. He will have to yet again take the lead and how he plays a different variety of English bowling would direct the course of the game.

Morgan, Stokes, and Buttler vs New Zealand middle-overs bowling: New Zealand’s three premier seamers are in top form, however, the lack of wicket-taking options in the middle overs might prove troublesome for the Kiwis. Even against India, New Zealand lost the grip and could have conceded the game. How they bowl to the English lower middle order given their swashbuckling abilities would be interesting to see. This shall be a match-defining moment.

Prediction:

On form and quality of the two sides, I would stick my neck out and say the Cup is staying Home! England, it is for me.

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