The biggest sporting event between the host nations Australia and New Zealand takes place this Sunday as they slog it out in the 2015 Cricket World Cup Final, with a sold out MCG crowd set to make it a must see spectacle. Look for these fierce rivals to go at it on and off the field, and you need not miss a minute of the action no matter your schedule when watching it live using internet or mobile streaming options
2015 Cricket World Cup Final Preview
Australia progressed to the World Cup Final after comfortably beating India in the Semi Final, with the damage being done with the bat in the afternoon and the quicks taking control at night. Australia will have the luxury of home field advantage in the spacious MCG, and will be looking to revenge their group play loss against the Black Caps, the only team to beat them in this year’s event.
The Black Caps made the Final after winning a thrilling rain affected Semi against South Africa, winning the game in the second last ball of the match thanks to a brilliant six from Grant Elliot. Tuesday’s dramatic victory sent New Zealand to this Final, where they will face their biggest test yet if they are to win their first-ever World Cup trophy.
Australia vs New Zealand Times
When: Sunday 29th March (2:30 pm Sydney Time)
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Live TV: Fox Sports 3 (Foxtel), Channel 9 and GEM.
Cricket World Cup Live Streaming Options
This epic Finals match involving Australia vs the Black Caps will be available to watch live on Fox Sports using eligible mobile phones, tablets and wireless laptops using Foxtel Go, as well as online through a compatible personal computer, Mac, Playstation, Xbox 360 or Smart TV with Foxtel Play.
Foxtel also has dedicated coverage of the AFL and NRL Premiership, as well as other popular sports, so you may wish to take a moment to review their newest entertainment packages.
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You may also wish to consider Foxtel Play’s two week Free live TV Trial, which offers a chance to watch the V8 Supercars championship and other upcoming sporting events online, many with reduced ad-breaks.
Cricket World Cup Final’s Facts
During their win over India, Australia became the first team in World Cup history to top the 300 mark in a Semi-final match.
Prior to their victory over the Proteas, New Zealand had been to the Semis on six different occasions without advancing to the Finals, a dubious distinction they will gladly pass to South Africa who’ve made four trips without ever playing for the title.
Australia holds the record for the most World Cup titles with four, and should they win on Sunday they will more double up the next teams on the list (West Indies, India) who have won two each.
This will be the second time in history the co-hosts both meet in the Finals, along with the last World Cup which saw India defeat Sri Lanka.
The host nation has won the event twice to date (Sri Lanka 1996 and India 2011), and no matter who wins on Sunday that mark will become three.
FeaturedAustralia Preview
The Aussies progressed to the final for the fifth time in the last six world cups, comfortably beating India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, largely thanks to a brilliant century from arguably the most in form cricketer in the sport, Steve Smith, with some great assistance with the bowl from Mitchell Starc.
Australia Players to Watch
Mitchell Johnson had a pretty ordinary World Cup prior to the Semi Final against India, where he got the vital wickets of Virat Kholi and Rohit Sharma. When the Aussies played the Kiwis during the Pool stage, the Black Caps flogged Johnson across the park, and I am sure that will be on his mind when he thunders in.
A couple of years ago, it seemed the international career of Steve Smith was done and dusted. Fast forward to now and he is one of the worlds best batters, and that was clearly evident in his unbelievable hundred against India in the Semi Final. He is near impossible to get out, so if he gets his eye in early, look out.
New Zealand Preview
The Duckworth-Lewis System was against the Kiwis in the Semi Final, and they looked gone, but some brilliant batting towards the end, highlighted by a second last ball six from Grant Elliot, saw the Black Caps advance to the Final, and confirm their current form that they are one of the best sides in the world.
Black Caps Players to Watch
Brendon McCullum is a blaster with the bat. He doesn’t score big, as in centuries, but he gets a lot of runs very quickly and sets his team up so beautifully for the remainder of the innings. His innings will be so crucial to the Kiwis and their chances.
Daniel Vettori is one of the best spinners in the game. He might not spin the ball so well, but his variation in speed and length causes real headaches for batsmen, and that has seen him be the most economical spinner of the tournament, going at just a tick under four runs per over.
Fox Sports (Foxtel)
Fox Sports will be streaming live, and in HD where available, this once in a lifetime World Cup rivalry between host nations, as well as many other popular sporting events including the NRL Premiership with 5 Live matches each full round.
Channel 10 (Free To Air)
Channel Ten will likewise be telecasting the World Cup live on Free to Air, but streaming to a mobile or internet enabled device won‘t be an option.
Australia will Win If
Get Brendon McCullum out, and get him out early. The Kiwis have shown that even with his brilliant starts, they can falter towards the end, so if the Aussies can get him out cheaply, they’ll go very close to winning.
New Zealand will Win If
They have got to handle playing away from home for the first time in the tournament, and with a likely heavy Aussie crowd at the ‘G’, it will be a vastly different environment to what they have played in front of this tournament. In terms of the game itself, they need early wickets, ideally Steve Smith, who is in outstanding form.
