T20 FINALE

by HAYDN GILLFOR THE second time in three years, the eyes and ears of the cricket world will be on Barbados and Kensington Oval.A packed ground of 14 000 and a global television audience of more than one million viewers will turn their attention to the finals of the ICC World Twenty20 today.A short, snappy tournament packed with drama, intrigue and excitement on the field and filled with entertainment, energy and enthusiasm beyond the boundary will climax with decisive matches in the men’s and women’s competitions.After 40 games spread over 16 days at four venues, there was a huge sense of anticipation yesterday in the build-up to the day of decision.The men’s final, which bowls off at 11:30 a.m., is a showdown between awesome Australia and title-starved England in a match where no one will dare call a winner because of the unpredictable nature of the shortest form of the game.At 4 p.m., the women’s final will be a battle between Trans Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand.While Kensington, which was also the venue for the World Cup final three years ago, was going through its final preparations, those involved in the action were waiting for the moment.Paul Collingwood is leading an England side which has never won a global title.“This is literally the ultimate. You’ve got through to a World final, you’re playing against the old enemy Australia. It doesn’t get much better than this,” he said.England were losing finalists in the 1979, 1987 and 1992 World Cup finals and the 2004 Champions Trophy. Victory here will mean the world to their many supporters.In contrast, Australia have an outstanding record – having won the last three World Cups and two Champions trophies. The only missing piece of the puzzle for Michael Clarke’s team is a World Twenty20 title.“It would be fantastic [if we won]. We came here to try and win. We haven’t won it before. We’d be much happier leaving Barbados with that one last trophy,” Clarke said.