After ousting tournament favourites England and Pakistan in the semi-finals, both New Zealand and Australia will look to lift their maiden T20 World Cup title when they lock horns in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
A flurry of late boundaries saw both the Kiwis and their trans-Tasman rivals make short work of imposing targets set by the tournament’s most in-form sides and complete their respective run chases with an over to spare.
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New Zealand, who finished second in Super 12 Group 2 were powered by a James Neesham cameo and an unbeaten 72 from opener Daryll Mitchell to down England. Meanwhile, Australia had Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade hammering Pakistan’s feared pace attack in the death overs to reach the final.
Ahead of the much-anticpated final at the Dubai International Stadium, here’s a look at three of the most memorable clashes between New Zealand and Australia.
1974, Christchurch: New Zealand beat Australia by 5 wickets
After nearly three decades of being ignored by their neighbours, New Zealand beat Australia for the first time in Test cricket as star batsman Glenn Turner struck a hundred in each innings to help the Kiwis to a five-wicket win at the Lancaster Park in Christchurch.
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1981, Melbourne: Australia beat New Zealand by 6 runs
The match, which witnessed the infamous ‘underarm’ moment – one of the most controversial finishes, was the final clash of a three-match series.
New Zealand needed six runs to tie the scores off the final delivery and Australia captain Greg Chapell instructed his younger brother Trevor to roll the ball along the ground.
Kiwi batter Brian McKechnie threw his bat in disgust as Australia faced widespread criticism for skipper Chappel’s decision. Then-New Zealand Prime Minister blasted the Aussies, saying it was “an act of true cowardice and I consider it appropriate that the Australian team were wearing yellow”.
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2015, Auckland: New Zealand beat Australia by 1 wicket
One of the most memorable matches in ODI World Cup history, this low-scoring thriller was played at the Eden Park in Auckland during the group stages of the 2015 edition.
Trent Boult wreaked havoc in the first innings, returning with figures of five for 27 as Australia were bundled out for just 151. Kiwi captain Brendan McCullum then, in typical style, launched the chase with a quickfire fifty.
However, Mitchell Starc blew the contest wide open with a flurry of wickets to cripple the Kiwi middle order and was on a hattrick when Boult, New Zealand’s last man survived two deliveries.
In the end, Starc’s return of six for 28 went in vain as Kane Williamson hit Pat Cummins for a six off the first ball of the next over.
