5 reasons why New Zealand can win the World Cup final

As the cricketing fraternity awaits with bated breath for the first ever trans-Tasman final, fans across the globe have already started making predictions as to which team will lift the most coveted trophy in cricket. Will it be four-time champions Australia or the first-time finalists New Zealand?After following the entire tournament, there is a feeling that the Blackcaps are favourites to win the World Cup. Here are five reasons why the Kiwis can win their maiden World Cup title:

#1 An explosive opening pair

Any team needs a robust start to capitalise later. The onus is on the openers to provide their team a solid start. In Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum, New Zealand have one of the most explosive and intimidating opening pairs the game has seen. While the ruthlessness of McCullum is well-known, Guptill too has all the shots in the book that can rattle the bowlers.

Who knows it better than the West Indians, who were belted all around the park in the quarter-final at Wellington. Needless to say, it was the Guptill show that day as the right-hander became the first Kiwi batsman to score a double hundred. Guptill’s ability to rotate the strike and anchor one end gives McCullum the license to wreak havoc on the bowlers.

If these two get going, Australians will hunt leather all day.

#2 A potent pace attack

New Zealand have a potent pace attack that can run through the opposition. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson can trouble the best batsmen with their pace and swing.

In the previous pool game between these two sides, Boult destroyed the Australian batting with a devastating display of fast swing bowling and claimed 5 wickets. Australian batsmen had no answers to Boult's seam and swing on a lively Eden Park track.

The left-arm pacer is the leading wicket taker in the tournament and will be eager to add more victims to his tally.

#3 Daniel Vettoris all-round abilities

Daniel Vettori has been the pillar of New Zealand cricket for more than a decade. The veteran of several pulsating encounters has won many matches for his team with his all-round abilities. Brendon McCullum has hinted that the World Cup final will be the last international match for the Kiwi legend.

Vettori cannot ask for a better farewell gift than the World Cup. His spin bowling will be a crucial factor in the game and can have a say in the outcome of the match. He has already taken 15 scalps in the World Cup and will be raring to go on a high.

#4 An electric fielding side

The Blackcaps have always been electric on the field. Batsmen can take cheeky singles or challenge the arms of Kiwi fielders at their own peril. In this edition of the World Cup, they have been simply outstanding as a fielding unit.

Who can forget Daniel Vettori's superman jump to dismiss Marlon Samuels? Besides that, there have been several instances when the Kiwis have thrown their bodies to stop a boundary and prevent batsmen from stealing a run. Impeccable ground fielding remains one of the strengths of this New Zealand team.

#5 Winning momentum and a chance to create history

New Zealand are yet to lose a match in this World Cup and every member is playing the best cricket of his life. They have certain issues with Australia, just as India have with Pakistan, when it comes to cricket and nothing will give them more satisfaction than lifting the cup on the territory of one of their fiercest rivals. In the process, New Zealand can create history.

However, the task will not be easy as the Australians will come hard. Toss once again will be a crucial factor and whoever wins it would start the game on a high.