Cricket showdown - Views from both sides of the Tasman

New Zealand Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill is bowled by Australian Glenn Maxwell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the Final between Australia and New Zealand. Photo/NZME.

It was one of the biggest sporting clashes between New Zealand and Australia in recent history. The Black Caps had made it to the Cricket World Cup final - the furthest point reached by New Zealand.

From the Bay of Plenty Times newsroom, sports writer and ultimate Black Caps fan Peter White pits his views against that of sub editor and true-blue Aussie Craig Nicholson.

''The 50th match of the Cricket World Cup proved the undoing of the gallant Black Caps as they were resolutely outplayed in the final by Australia on Sunday night.

Bay of Plenty Times Sport reporter Peter White.

In batting first and making just 183 all out in the 45th over, the Black Caps were unable to put Australia under any pressure. It was a meek performance after a memorable World Cup that has galvanised New Zealand just like the 2011 Rugby World cup did.
Hot favourites Australia cruised to a seven wicket victory in what was a big learning curve for the New Zealand batsmen. Unfortunately they left their poorest batting display to when it mattered most, in front of 93,013 baying fans on cricket's biggest stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The opening overs of the New Zealand innings after Brendon McCullum was bowled neck and crop for a duck were a real test of character. Martin Guptil and Tauranga's star Kane Williamson, normally so serene and composed, looked nervous and intimidated. It was a severe test and sadly they both succumbed under the intense pressure.
The more experienced Ross Taylor played his best innings of the World Cup. In partnership with the hero of Eden Park Grant Elliott he rebuilt the innings. They put on 50 off 64 balls and then 111 together before Taylor was out for 40. It was a vital partnership to get the Black Caps back into the game. Sadly as hopes grew of a competitive total Tauranga resident Corey Anderson and keeper Luke Ronchi were both swept away for ducks to give the confident Aussies the advantage they never let slip.
Elliott soldiered on, bringing up his own 50 off just 52 balls and looking every inch the international batsman. He was finally out for 83 off 81 balls as the innings collapsed around him, to follow his match winning 84 not out in the semifinal.
Mitchell Stark took two wickets to move one ahead of Trent Boult as the tournament's top wicket taker but Tauranga's left arm quickie managed to snaffle the first wicket of Aaron Finch to share top billing with Stark. Boult was undoubtedly the star performer consistently throughout the tournament for the Black Caps and is now a first choice bowler in all forms of the game.''
- Peter White

''When Australia faced New Zealand in a World Cup cricket preliminary round match last month, as the resident Aussie in the room, I was asked who I thought would win.

I replied that since the game was at Eden Park, I thought New Zealand would win but I added that if they met again in the final at the Mighty MCG, Australia would win.

And so it proved.

New Zealand had a amazing World Cup and were the form team throughout. Australia started a little scratchy but built momentum as the tournament progressed.

Going into the final, the Black Caps were still in slightly better form but the huge question marks hanging over them were the first final and the MCG.

Last night was Australia's seventh World Cup final. It was New Zealand's first.

Australia had won three of the last four World Cups. New Zealand has won none.

I understand that five of the New Zealand team who played last night had never played on the MCG before.

Bay of Plenty Times sub editor Craig Nicholson.

Walking out in front of 93,000 people yesterday must have been daunting for everyone, particularly those five.

But it did come down to one game and who performed in that game.

From the first ball bowled Australia made it very clear that they were there to play.

Mitchell Starc, the player of the tournament, bowled one of the best overs of the tournament to open the game and put a huge hole in New Zealand's heart with his dismissal of Brendon McCullum.

Two more wickets in the early stages and New Zealand was always going to be chasing Australia from that point on.

While Kiwis may not be able to see it today, maybe tomorrow, Australia played a near faultless game of cricket last night.

They are deserving World Cup champions.

But New Zealand has sent a clear message to the cricketing world that they have a world class team and will be winning plenty of games over the next few years.''

- Craig Nicholson