New Zealand dark horses as England close in on title?

After six weeks and 47 matches, the World Cup final is upon us, and we are guaranteed a brand-new name on the trophy. England, the long-term favourites, will take on New Zealand, the eternal dark horses, in a contest that few could have predicted a fortnight ago, but there's no doubt who the bookmakers are now backing to seal the spoils.

England go into Sunday's showdown at Lord's as 1/3 favourites, overwhelming odds in a two-horse race. New Zealand are a distant 5/2, a reflection both of the spanking that they were handed up at Chester-le-Street in England's final group-stage fixture, and of England's formidable showing in their semi-final crushing of Australia.

That eight-wicket win was a complete team performance - led by England's seamers with the new ball, backed up by Adil Rashid's priceless spell of legspin in the middle overs, then sealed by a rampant 85 from Jason Roy, a batsman on a mission after his tournament was interrupted by a hamstring injury.

And sure enough, Roy leads the market for the Man of the Match award, although he has company, on 9/1, from his opening partner Jonny Bairstow - and given that they have just put together four century stands in a row, it's a fair assumption that one or both of them could carry their form into another telling display.

But Kane Williamson is also there, lurking at the top of the market on 9/1. And that really is a reflection of his importance to New Zealand's cause. If they are to cause an upset, their captain surely has to be front and centre of their challenge.