Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has backed ‘street smart’ New Zealand to win the T20 World Cup 2021 Final against Australia. He has said that New Zealand have already overcome their biggest hurdle by defeating England in the semifinal.
New Zealand will be up against Australia in the final in Dubai in the winner-takes-all match. Both teams have never landed their hand on the glittering T20 World Cup trophy.
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Morne Morkel has said New Zealand are street smart and won’t mind taking on Australia in the final.
“While the spotlight was on India, Pakistan, England and Australia throughout the tournament there was a little voice inside my head saying: ‘hang on don’t forget about New Zealand’,” Morkel wrote in his ICC column.
“They are the current World Test champions, played in the last 50-over World Cup final and their white-ball cricket has been exceptional over the past couple of years. They are street smart and organised and have an inspirational leader in Kane Williamson,” he added.
New Zealand finished second in group 2 and were only beaten by Pakistan in their campaign opener. They were up against red-hot favourites England in the semifinal. They defied odds and scored 60 runs in the last five overs to book their berth in the marquee clash.
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“New Zealand won’t mind who they are playing in the final. They’ve already overcome a huge hurdle and got one over England which shows they can handle the heat when it’s on them,” said Morkel.
“In a final, it’s about doing the basics as well as possible. That group is really focused on the fundamentals, but also have the ability to flick the switch to fifth gear and blow teams out of the water. Their focus will be on getting themselves ready and controlling what they can control. Whoever they come up against, they’ll be ready for them,” he signed off.
The final will be played on November 14 at Dubai International Stadium.
