T20 World Cup 2021: Brendon McCullum Makes His Prediction For Australia-New Zealand Final

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum feels that even though Australia have a number of “match winners” on their side, it would be Kane Williamson and his team who will emerge victorious in the T20 World Cup final.

A new chapter is set to be written in the trans-Tasman rivalry as the two sides clash in the final on Sunday in Dubai with both countries eyeing their maiden T20 title.

Both the sides registered stunning run-chase wins in the semi-final over tournament favourites England and Pakistan to seal their spot in the grand finale. They are now one step away from their first-ever T20 title.

For Brendon McCullum, it’s time that the Black Caps take their revenge over their neighbours for the 2015 World Cup final loss as he predicts New Zealand as the winners on Sunday.

“All the best to both teams @BLACKCAPS and @CricketAus tonight in the T20 World Cup Final. Aus boys have plenty of match winners but I feel it may be Kane and the boys time,” Brendon McCullum tweeted.

All the best to both teams @BLACKCAPS and @CricketAus tonight in the T20 World Cup Final.
Aus boys have plenty of match winners but I feel it may be Kane and the boys time. ???

— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) November 14, 2021

Tim Seifert to replace the injured Devon Conway, Kane Williamson confirmed

Kane Williamson has confirmed that wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert will replace Devon Conway in the final. Conway has been ruled out of the final, and the subsequent T20I series in India, after a bizarre injury: he struck his own hand with his bat after getting dismissed in the semi-final against England.

Williamson acknowledged that Conway will be a big miss from the eleven. The left-hander had scored 129 runs in 6 matches, including a crucial knock of 46 runs in the semi-final. Seifert has played one match in the tournament, against Pakistan, before being replaced by Adam Milne.

“Some of the younger players – they keep coming through in all teams. [They] love to hit the ball out of the park and [are] really exciting talents and someone like Tim Seifert coming in is very much like that. Obviously, the loss of Devon is a big one. He’s been a big part of all formats for us and a disappointing and really freak thing to happen but for us, it’s keeping our focus on the task,” Kane Williamson said on Saturday.

New Zealand will be playing in their maiden T20 World Cup final, while it’s the second appearance for Australia, who lost the final in 2010 to England.

Also Read: India Test Squad vs New Zealand: Sunil Gavaskar Explains Why Hanuma Vihari Was Dropped From India’s Test Squad