6 reasons why WC2015 final is Australia vs Rest of the World

28 March 2015 11:28

Australia's composed and New Zealand's thrilling entry into the Cricket World Cup 2015 final has generated a lot of interest globally. However the tiny and southern most cricketing nation may have little idea of the magnitude of support they will be getting.

It may probably be the only time in their history when New Zealand will be backed by close to a billion people, globally. Here's six reasons why New Zealand start as the neutrals favourite for WC 2015 finals vs Australia.

1. Growing importance of Cricket

Cricket is now the second most followed sport. With estimated 2-2.5 billion followers, cricket pips tennis and is just behind football - which has estimated 3.5 billion followers across the planet.

Invention of more viewer friendly formats like IPL and Big Bash has substantially benefited the sport and increased its viewer base, over the last decade. India alone has close to a billion viewer base during big World Cup games and factoring Indians staying overseas.

The WC2015 encounter between India and Pakistan is said to have attracted more viewers than the World Cup football final. There is every reason to believe Sunday's final will have massive viewership.

2. The India factor

India getting knocked out of WC and that too by their fierce rivals Australia will ensure most Indian followers now will root for Australia's rival neighbours.

And this Indian support on Sunday night would run into close to half a billion, even factoring the ones not tuning in due to loss of interest. When Martin Guptill scored 237*, there was more excitement in India, sheerly due to volumes. If New Zealand lift trophy, expect the same.

3. The Australia factor

That Australia, the four time World Cup winners, big bullies and master sledgers are the opposition, helps Kiwis in getting support. India has long standing bitter rivalry with Australia, England are their eternal rivals, South Africa or Pakistan don't love them too much either. Sunday night could be all about Australia vs the world.

Any non Australian who would have brought tickets for MCG in advance (expecting Ind or SA in finals) are likely to root for New Zealand on the ground.

4. The New Zealand factor

Sunday will also be only the second instance that Kiwis will be playing a major ODI final in over four decades of ODIs. The last time they played a major final was in the ICC Champions trophy 2000. They captured that trophy, beyond expectations, with a fighting win over favourites India.

Punching above their weight seems to come naturally to the black caps. They have made it a habit reaching the semifinals of major events - six times in the ODI World Cup and once each in Champions trophy (2006), WC T20 (2007) and B&H World Championships (1985). In most of these events, they were not amongst the best four teams of the event, but still exceeded expectations.

Yet their low conversion ratio (making it to the finals) means neutrals want them to lift their maiden World Cup trophy once atleast.

5. The Sri Lanka factor

There's some uncanny resemblance with McCullum's team and Arjuna Ranatunga's 1996 World Cup wining Srilankan team - both co-hosts, both first time finalists, fearless openers, astute and aggressive captain, left arm seamer as leading wicket taker, unheralded middle order with timely contributions and a great spinner - both teams who achieve more than sum of its parts. Neutrals like new winners, they would like a new winner in New Zealand.

Sri Lanka themselves won that World Cup on back of an acrimonious tour of Australia - remembered more for Muralitharan being called no-ball for 'chucking' and Ranatunga taking the team off the field more than once. During the subsequent World Cup (1996), Australia, along with West Indies, refused to play their group games in the island citing security reasons. There's no love lost between Australia and Sri Lanka, hence there's no guessing whom the Sri Lankan supporters will be rooting for.

6. The sentimental factor

The Kiwis were the lowest ranked team to have made to the semifinals of WC2015. Unaware to them, and to their rivals South Africa, there were more neutral Asians following that semifinal than New Zealanders and South Afrikans. Both teams never having made it to a World Cup final saw huge sentiments drawn towards that game. Fans wanted a great game, they got an edge of the seat thriller.

McCullum hitting Steyn over boundary took the breath away, Grant Elliot became a household name and AB De Villiers tears got consoled all over social media. Neutrals will have similar expectations from the New Zealand team - ecstasy, joy and tears.

And it could be upto a billion neutrals!

Ps: Bangladesh may forget to tune in! They are still busy complaining about that no ball!!!!

Source: DSG