The green tinge to early season Australian pitches was the defining characteristic of a lively and unpredictable World Cup.
Follow all the action live from the MCG as Pakistan take on England in the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup final.
England now hold the world titles in both short forms of the game,and are regathering in Test cricket. It augurs well for an intriguing Ashes series next year.
Ben Stokes strapped his teammates on his broad shoulders and carried his country to another World Cup victory as England stamped itself as the premier white-ball side of the generation at the MCG on Sunday night.
Cricket great Shane Watson has described the tension between the current side and Australia’s golden generation as the “hangover” from Justin Langer’s acrimonious departure as coach this year.
The game can be lost in a matter of a few overs if a bundle of early wickets fall,but on the flipside a strong first six overs can set up the entire innings.
Nine months after Justin Langer quit as coach,the ill feeling between current Australian players and the golden generation over his acrimonious departure has escalated.
If England defeat Pakistan in Sunday’s final,Matthew Mott will simultaneously be the winning coach of both the women’s and men’s T20 World Cup champions - and for different nations.
In a neat reversal of the 1992 50-over World Cup finale at the MCG,this time it will be Pakistan hoping to contain England’s more outlandish talents at the famous Melbourne venue.
When Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe,all appeared lost for the men in green,but diehard fans did not lose faith in their team.
Despite a grim MCG outlook in terms of rain,Alex Hales’ return to England ranks,after an exile that had often looked permanent,demonstrates the value of optimism.