The Cricket World Cup final, the Black Caps vs Australia. Does it get any better than this?

Ever since we start to see signs of life from this Black Caps, we wanted to see them matched up against the Aussies. A battle that we see far too little of, but rightfully so. We've been so shit over the last 10 years that we deserved to not face Australia as much as we would like, if we were in a pair of dingo-boots, we'd probably take the same course of action.

But now the Black Caps are different, there's a different vibe and they have earned the right to demand that Australia take notice. I can't stress that enough, we've earned the right. 

The fact that this is a World Cup final amplifies everything by about a million. 

It really is the perfect final and the Black Caps will need to be at their best otherwise the Australians will be able to poke at any weakness. The Australians showed last night that their batting line up is probably the best in the World Cup, despite only Aaron Finch and Steve Smith getting big scores. 

Many people think of Finch as simply being a big hitter, but both he and David Warner have the ability to anchor an innings and maintain a presence through the middle stage despite loosing an early wicket. Finch especially showed that he's got a graft to his batting, he's willing to defend good balls and run hard for singles which worked wonders with Steve Smith when he came to the crease. 

The Black Cap bowlers have done a fantastic job, but Australia will take what South Africa showed us where they fought hard after loosing a wicket to re-build their innings, to a new level. Smith makes batting look freakishly easy and I'm really not sure where the Black Caps will target to get him out. If the ball isn't really moving around too much, it'll be dot balls that do the trick and that's going to be a huge test for the Black Caps. Finch, David Warner, Smith and Michael Clarke are masters at keeping the game moving so the likes of Matt Henry and Corey Anderson will be put under huge pressure.

Against India, Australia not only posed a constant attacking threat but were equally as good at  restricting the Indians scoring. It always felt as if they were attacking though with Michael Clarke opting to have a slip when most captains wouldn't even be contemplating it and with their ring fields being top shelf, they can attack from the field as well.

That sets up one of a few mini battles amongst the larger context of the game. A Black Caps bowling unit who have had it their way for most of the World Cup vs a batting line up that does everything, very well.

A Black Caps top order that have had their moments vs pure pace.

Michael Clarke vs Brendon McCullum. Two uber aggressive captains, who are also very smart cricketers. 

Corey Anderson vs Shane Watson/James Faulkner.

Daniel Vettori vs Glenn Maxwell. The specialist vs the job-doer.

Kane Williamson vs Steve Smith. Two of the best younger batsmen in the world, both batting at three. 

I reckon Australia will step up their competitive spirit here as well. They got touched up by the Black Caps in Auckland but now they are defending their home soil. They copped it from all corners of Eden Park and I don't think they would have forgotten about that. Don't have a cry though, they respect the Black Caps but they'll be after some revenge.

For the first time, we're on their turf. Which will make it even more awesome when we put in a perfect performance, the performance of these guys lives and give it to the Aussies. That's what it's going to take.