Both sides have looked in good form with both bat and ball throughout this tournament so this final should be closely contested.

Will Australia back Mitchell Johnson to cope in a match where the pressure will be high? Will the West Indies stick with the Taylor/Bradshaw combo opening the bowling or risk Fidel Edwards in a bid for early Australian wickets?

On a personal note Shane Watson and Chris Gayle have both been on fine form as the leading allrounders in this tournament and the expectation for them to perform will be higher than it has been before - will either of them crack?

Please post all build-up to the match in this thread and enjoy the contest.

Could this one go down to the last over?

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

West Indies have started with a bang with run rate in excess of 10 runs per over in the first 5 overs. If the other batsmen continue this momentum, we are in for a memorable final. Although Australia are still the favourites.

Sawarn's out. He is overated I have never been a fan.

__________________
"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

An astonishing start from the Windies. I think they should maybe rein in for a few powerplay overs to avoid losing any more wickets, and once again Gayle should be looking to play through the innings.

Very good start.....they should now build on it. Two wickets are already down.....another one will really be a problem.

__________________
My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

The way the West Indies are going, they will not survive full 50 overs. They need someone to steady the innings and really pose a huge total in excess of 300 if they want to have a realistic go at winning the match.

By taking wickets, Australia is on the right track.

Australia will win now. The smash and grab effort has failed. With 2 wickets down Gayle needed to stay to at least 20 overs.
Unless Lara pulls out a significant innings.

__________________
"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

Lara out. West Indies plans in shreds.

__________________
"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

The whole final is in shreds what a dissapointment after the first 5 overs of crazy hitting by gayle and chanderpaul, it was something to see gayle take 22 of mcgrath in hardly 8 balls, then bracken struck again and again and then Mcgrath took laras wickets and the rest is just history... poor display of batting by the WI another tame win for Aussies, they will now have the only trophy they could never win, what fighting spirit shown by their great team after being decimated by the start, Champion team!!!! truly

__________________

I think you have got ot blame the tactics. You can do what they did if you have a strong middle/ late middle order. Sameuls, Morton, Sameuls, Bravo and Baugh is not strong enough to bat 35 overs.

__________________
"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction