The last time New Zealand faced Australia in a final, the Aussies hammered them by seven wickets with 101 balls to spare in the one-sided 2015 ODI World Cup title clash. Things have changed from then.
Known for his calm demeanor, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on Saturday played down the hype around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 final against Australia. The Trans-Tasman rivals clash in Dubai, UAE on Sunday (November 14). (More Cricket News)
New Zealand produced a scintillating chase to beat England by five wickets with an over to spare in their semi-final. Regarded as probably the most balanced and consistent side in ICC tournaments, they were the losing semifinalists in 2007 and 2016 editions. They also reached back-to-back ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019, before winning the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.
"It's a reflection of a lot of hard work, but tomorrow's is a one-off match and for us, it is about trying to make those small adjustments again and keep the focus really close and what it needs to be," Williamson said on the eve of the final.
The 31-year-old also revealed the reason behind the team's consistency, saying that "the side has been operating well as a collective and certainly playing for each other. For us, it's important that we've try to grow and learn throughout and I think we've seen that a little bit. And tomorrow's another opportunity."
Despite their consistency, the Kiwis remain the "underdogs". But the skipper does not mind that.
"It's sort of doesn't have a lot to do with us really. We focus on our cricket and try our best to keep improving as a side. The different tags and whatnot that's not really something that we control," Williamson said.
The last time the two rivals met in the final -- 2015 ODI World Cup -- New Zealand were bowled out for just 183 with Australia cantering home in the 34th over for the loss of three wickets.
But the Kiwis have peaked at the right time in the UAE, firing on all cylinders to oust 2019 ODI World Cup champions England with a superlative batting show from Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham in the first semifinal.
"It would be quite an achievement. But where it stands at the moment is there's a game of cricket to play and for us it's about focusing on that and looking to go out there and implement those things that are important to us.
"So that is very much where we are at the moment," said Williamson.
In the semifinals, wicketkeeper Devon Conway also played a crucial hand of 46 runs during his 82-run partnership with Mitchell for the fourth wicket, but he will miss the final as he broke his hand when he punched his bat after getting out against England.
"The loss of Devon is a big one, he's been a big part of all formats for us and it's disappointing. It's really a freak thing to happen. But we're keeping our focus on the task," Williamson said.
On paper, New Zealand have played Australia 212 times across the three formats and won only 51 times -- their worst win-loss record against any team in international cricket.
"When you play each other I suppose both teams get a reasonable look at one another. Probably not too many advantages to either side, except that we do play each other and have done so recently on a number of occasions and had some really good contests.
"It's great that we're playing our neighbour on the other side of the world and in a World Cup final, and a really exciting prospect for both teams. It's another match and another opportunity for us as a team to go," Williamson said.
The match starts 7:30 PM IST.
(With PTI inputs)