Australia Need the World Cup to Complete Their Renaissance
Australia take on neighbours New Zealand in the ICC World Cup finals. New Zealand are in red-hot form and are looking to clinch their first World title. However, the Aussies need to win it to reinstate their air of superiority.
Before they walk out onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground turf on Sunday in the World Cup final against neighbours and co-hosts New Zealand, the Australians might want to stop for a moment to reflect on the happenings over the past two years. (Complete coverage of World Cup 2015)
Australia's foray into a seventh World Cup final may seem as a been-there-done-that affair for the four-time champions but this time, the significance of the trophy is monumental. (Must read: Michael Clarke to quit ODIs after World Cup final)
The Aussies need to win this World Cup. They need it more than New Zealand because the World Cup trophy will complete the Aussie renaissance.
Since their whitewash in India back in 2013, Michael Clarke's men have been combating mediocrity. From 'homework' scandals to bar fights to sacked coaches to the death of a beloved cricketer - Australia have been on a roller coaster ride. They have of course, won tournaments and clung on to the status of a top side but overall, have lost the air of superiority that once defined their cricket team.
They came into this World Cup with a mission - win the World Cup to regain their dominance over the cricketing world. After a solid start against England, they faced a rude awakening against New Zealand in the group stage.
According to Michael Clarke, "The Kiwi loss served as a kick up our backside."
Finishing second in the group wasn't a part of the plan. 'Lucky' Bangladesh strolled away with an easy point and then getting shaken up against Pakistan wasn't how the script was meant to be.
India were up next and Australia were trembling.
Then, the gears clicked in. The strengths surfaced and broke India into pieces.
The pace trio comprising of the two Mitchs - Starc and Johnson - along with Josh Hazlewood kicked up a serious storm and the Aussies found a new tormentor at number three - Steve Smith, batting at the 'Ricky Ponting' position and displaying the grit and determination of Steve Waugh.
The dangerous David Warner is always up for a battle and now, his partner Aaron Finch has added more muscle at the top with a timely return to form. Down the order, Glenn 'the maverick' Maxwell is striking them into next week!
The weaknesses suddenly have vanished into thin air.
Michael Clarke' struggle with the bat has been veiled by the heroics of a resurgent Shane Watson, while the absence of a quality spinner isn't hurting because of the robust pace battery.
The plan is coming together for Australia, finally.
However, against an in-form New Zealand side, the task won't be easy.
Their biggest threat will be the opposition captain, Brendon McCullum, who is changing games on its head with his ultra-aggressive leadership. The new-ball opening partnership of Tim Southee and Trent Boult are hurling down missiles at serious pace, while the crafty Daniel Vettori is smacking his lips to take advantage of the long boundaries at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The ICC Cricket World Cup final is between co-hosts Australia and New Zealand.
But that's on paper.
In the world cup final, Australia is up against the entire cricketing world because the entire fraternity is at the Black Caps' corner. Cricket fans across the world wish well for them. A win for the Kiwis will be rejoiced by all, while a loss will see the world mourn with them.
Australia don't need the sympathy. Australia want to crush the Kiwi hopes. Australia just don't want to win, they want to destroy the Black Caps' fairy tale. They want to regain their role as the big brother in the trans-Tasman rivalry.
The Aussies want their supremacy back and become the meanest bullies of the game, again.
The World Cup win at the 'G' will surely put the lost sheen back on the green and gold aura.