Watching the two semi-finals, what quickly became apparent to me is the significance of the power play. This will be a battle of the top orders – and whoever dares will win.
There is a huge element of risk. The game can be lost in a matter of a few overs if a bundle of early wickets fall, but on the flip side a strong first six overs can set up the entire innings, as was the case in both the semis.
By no means did New Zealand and India have disastrous starts, but their opponents blew the game wide open with their fast starts, alleviating the pressure that comes with chasing in knockout finals and turning the heat back on their opponents.
That is not to say teams should go out and play “fearless cricket”, which has become a cliche in the modern game that I do not agree with. While you cannot throw caution to the wind, batters need to be given greater freedom to play their shots – and teams need to be picked accordingly.
England are living and breathing this. In Jos Buttler and Alex Hales, they have two explosive openers who can play the unorthodox as well as the classic cricket shots. They do not have to change their stance or grip, play reverse sweeps or switch hit. It’s an area of the game Australia could look at.
I am looking forward to seeing the two spin attacks get to work. Both teams have leg-spinners who can spin the ball both ways – an asset which is so vital in this format as it places doubt in the batter’s mind.
Jos Buttler and Alex Hales hold the key to England’s batting.Credit:Getty
My commentary colleague Steve O’Keefe, a left-arm spinner, explained to me the other night the importance of bowling into the pitch on these slower tracks to create the opportunity for the variety from the surface.
There is also value in tossing the ball up above the eye line and inviting the big shot. Adil Rashid’s courage to deliver a slow leg-break outside off to Suryakumar Yadav delivered him the big wicket in the semi. It was almost the pivotal moment in the game.
But it would not be ball spinners are advised to bowl in this format as it leaves them vulnerable to being hit into the stands.
Buttler’s transformation from 12 months ago has been stark. Last summer, as England’s Test wicketkeeper, he had the look of a man who was not enjoying the game.
I have long wondered how a player with as accomplished record as he does at international level – albeit against the white ball – has not made more Test runs.
Watching him play this tournament, it’s clear he gets more enjoyment playing the shorter forms. He is genuinely loving what he’s doing.
Undoubtedly, this has made him a better captain. It’s a job which I have long believed is not suited to a wicketkeeper in the longer format but can be done in the Twenty20 game.
You only need to see how England hit the winning runs to see Buttler’s attitude. Needing five to win, he’s backed away and hit a straight six – the longest boundary at Adelaide Oval – as if he had set himself the challenge of finishing the game in that fashion.
It was a long way removed from the man who left early from a Test tour in India last year while his team was ahead in the series to freshen up.
Watching this tournament has taken me back to the1992 World Cup. The similarities are quite remarkable. Australia underperformed and bowed out early. Pakistan were saved by rain in a group game, escaping with a point after being dismissed for 74, and this time they needed the Netherlands to cause a monumental upset over South Africa. Both times they have beaten New Zealand in the semis and play England in an MCG final.
If this final is anything like 30 years ago, we are in for a night to remember.
Mark Taylor is a former Test and ODI captain for Australia who led the team to the 1996 World Cup final, and a former Cricket Australia director.
Available live and free on 9GEM and 9Now on Sunday night from 6.30pm.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
