The 2021 T20 World Cup final takes place in Dubai this Sunday, and here we look at the chances of both sides and bring you the latest betting odds.
There will be a new name on the trophy this weekend when New Zealand and Australia meet in Dubai, after the two sides came through their respective semi-finals against England and Pakistan.
With New Zealand needing any unlikely 56 runs from 4 Overs, they got their revenge over England for their 2019 World Cup loss, when Jimmy Neesham blasted 27 from 11 balls to turn the match on it’s head.
Then the following day Matthew Wade bludgeoned Australia over the line after the unfortunate Hasan Ali dropped Wade at the crucial moment.
Not that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam held it against the fumbling bowler. It’s not like he mentioned it in the media or anything like that!
Small margins can decide these matches, and unfortunately for England and Pakistan, they were found wanting in these key moments.
And it’s now New Zealand and Australia that will now contest Sunday’s final in Dubai. Now, let’s take a look at the two teams.
Disciplined New Zealand, the Team you can’t Underestimate
You underestimate this team at your peril.
New Zealand is the current World Test Championship holders, they’ve been to the last two 50 Over World Cup finals, and now they are in the T20 World Cup final.
For good measure, they got to the semi-final of this tournament in 2016 as well.
The Kiwis simply go about their business in a well-disciplined and organised way.
They are well led by Kane Williamson, and although they don’t have star names from the world of cricket, they’ve got some damn good players.
In their batting ranks, they have a good mix of big hitters like Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham throughout the line-up. And these big hitters are complemented by match situation players like Williamson.
The bowling attack is well balanced and has the right blend of youth and experience. And they have adequate spin options in Ish Sodi, and Mitchell Santner.
In addition to all this, New Zealand is also arguably the best fielding side in the competition.
On the negative side, there have been stories emerging again about Kane Williamson’s elbow. But the Kiwis seem to manage his injury well and always seem to find a way to get the skipper out on the field.
They will also have to find a replacement for Devon Conway for the final. The batsman who had been doubling up as wicket-keeper broke his hand against England by punching his bat in frustration at getting out at a crucial time.
How bad must Conway feel now? Cricket can be a cruel game.
His absence will be felt, but his likely replacement Tim Seifert is no mug. He was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders as a backup player in the IPL this season. So that gives you an insight into the level of his quality.
Australia has somehow found the Right Formula
When the Aussie arrived in the middle-east to play in this competition no one was really giving them a chance.
There was alleged mutiny in the ranks against head coach Justin Langer. David Warner was in the doldrums after a shocking IPL. There were doubts over the fitness of captain Aaron Finch. And the balance of the team was continually questioned in the media.
Their hammering at the hands of England early in the Super 12 segment of the competition also left them on the verge of elimination, due to their poor Net Run Rate.
But they somehow managed to turn that around.
The early loss to England did give them a wake-up call. But it also left them with plenty of time in the competition to improve their Net Run Rate. Which they did!
And now look at them, and look at how quickly confidence can come back!
Look at the form of David Warner now. He’s not just blasting the ball to all parts, he’s playing the match situation to perfection. Attacking when needed, and reigning things in when the time is right.
They also seem to have found a perfect role in the team for the talented – but forever underachieving – Mitchell Marsh. And Adam Zampa’s legbreak has been a revelation in this competition.
When you add all that to arguably the best pace trio in world cricket, you get quite a potent force.
I’m not sure if this is all a culmination of some meticulous Aussie planning, but things certainly seem to have fallen nicely into place for them!
Who Will Win the 2021 T20 World Cup?
Let’s have a look at the cricket betting odds first, and as you can see, the Aussies are the favourites.
2021 T20 World Cup Final Betting Odds
- Australia 1.66 (4/6)
- New Zealand 2.20 (6/5)
The Aussies have a good record against the Kiwis, and always seem to have the Indian Sign over them. Unless they are playing Rugby Union, that is!.
No offence meant to any Aussie readers, but regrettably, I think that Aaron Finch’s Australia team will win on Sunday, and claim the T20 world title for the first time in their history (they did lose a final to England in the past, have to get that in).
I say no offence because I just love watching the way this New Zealand side plays, and I would love to see them win. It’s nothing against the Aussies, honestly.
I also feel the Kiwis were seriously unlucky in the 2019 ICC 50 Over World Cup, when they lost to England in the Super Over.
How many bad strokes of fortune did the Kiwis have that day? Too many to list.
It’s not often I say this, but I really want my tip to lose on this occasion – Australia to win!