Ian Chappell believes that star opener David Warner could bat New Zealand out of the game, if he gets going in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Sunday in Dubai.
Follow Us
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes that opener David Warner could well help the Aussies put New Zealand out of the game, in the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021. Warner has accumulated 236 runs in six games at an average of 47.2 and seems to be back to his menacing best. The opener is leading Australia’s charge towards a maiden title in the ongoing edition of the prestigious tournament. Chappell believes that Warner has been head and shoulders above the rest of the Australian batters in the edition.
“Warner and Australia’s batting, I think, is the big thing. If Warner gets going, he can put the game out of your reach in a big hurry. They’ve got pretty strong batting. New Zealand probably rely more on their bowling, so I’d say Australia’s batting is the key. That’s the thing with T20 cricket. One or two bad overs (can lose the game), or one or two good overs can win you the game,” said Chappell in an interaction with Wide World of Sports.
“New Zealand probably rely more on their bowling, so I’d say Australia’s batting is the key. That’s the thing with T20 cricket. One or two bad overs (can lose the game), or one or two good overs can win you the game,” he added.
Chappell went on to share his opinion on Steve Smith who has been struggling in the ongoing edition.
“If he [Steve Smith] is not a valuable player in the game, there’s something wrong with the game. That would be my answer. He’s a very good player. If the game can’t find a spot for him, then there’s something wrong with the game. They seem to send him in early if they lose a wicket early to stabilise things, and if they get going, he slides down the order,” concluded the Australian cricketer.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes that in-form batsman Devon Conway’s absence makes Australia favourites in the ICC T20 World Cup final.
“Conway is a massive loss. Australia is favorite and rightly so with no Conway there. He is an intelligent cricketer and of high quality. He doesn’t normally bat four but they like him in the middle order with all his skills against spin in particular,” Styris told Sportstar.
“So now, how does New Zealand cope against Adam Zampa who has been brilliant? Glenn Phillips needs a big game. Phillips is also a keeper, so there aren’t any wicketkeeper issues. Santner/Ish Sodhi vs Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell can get on a roll. You take away a lot of the Aussie middle over scoring blitz if you can get rid of Maxwell. Getting your fields right is one key, the other is hoping Maxwell takes silly options, which he has done plenty of times in the IPL. But his match-winning abilities have never been in doubt,” he added.
It will be interesting to see who emerges victorious in this exciting contest.
