NZ vs AUS Live – T20 World Cup Final: Australia will face off Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup on Sunday and Justin Langer has a very clear message for his troop. “Be Fearless on Sunday,” is all that the Aussie coach has to say to his team who are aiming for their maiden trophy in the shortest format.
Aaron Finch-led Australia was clearly nowhere close to their A-game against Pakistan in the semi-final. But, they had that ‘champion attitude’ in their body language and in the end pipped Pakistan out of the competition putting an end to their 16-match winning streak in UAE. They’ll have to be “fearless” against New Zealand too on Sunday.
NZ vs AUS LIVE: Justin Langer’s very special message for his team ‘Be Fearless on Sunday’
Beating New Zealand, however, won’t be that easy and Justin Langer is well aware of that. Langer says Aaron Finch & Co. will have to be at their best to get through Kane Williamson’s side in the summit clash.
“The way (New Zealand) have gone about their business for the last few years has been outstanding,” Langer said.
“They get on with the job and they get it done. So we’re going to have to be at our best, like we have been throughout this tournament, to beat New Zealand,” he further added.
For the last couple of years, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand have been impressive in all formats. After the 50-over World Cup and the World Test Championship, the BlackCaps have now made three finals in three years in three formats.
To get the better of Kane Williamson’s side, the Aussies will need more than just skills. They need to have a ‘champion mindset’ and play fearlessly at all phases of the game.
Langer says, “It’s very important that we have the mindset, whether we bat first or bowl first, that we can win from any situation.”
Cricket Australia head coach further said that his men have played the kind of cricket he is referring to and just need to deliver it again on Sunday.
NZ vs AUS LIVE: Justin Langer’s very special message for his team ‘Be Fearless on Sunday’
“(The Bangladesh chase) is a real blueprint for this tournament, but also into the future for Australia’s white-ball cricket,” Langer said.
“That’s what you’d call fearless cricket and if we’re going to win this tournament, we’ve got to continue on with the way we played from Bangladesh.
“That fearless or aggressive batting is going to be crucial.”
Aaron Finch & Co. were at their best in their final Super 12 fixture against Bangladesh when they had a job to secure a handsome win over Mahmudullah’s side to book a spot in the final four. They first restricted Bangladesh to a mere total of 73 runs and chased down the target within 7 overs to boost their Net Run Rate with the captain himself striking at 200.00
The win 8 wickets win eventually helped Australia secure a spot in the semi-final on the basis of better NRR than South Africa that shared equal points.
Moreover, the Aussies who have won the 50-over Cricket World Cup trophy five times are yet to lay their hands on the ICC T20 World Cup trophy. In 2010, they came close to winning the trophy but lost to Ashes rivals England in the summit clash.
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