Clarke, Collingwood have their hands full: Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell looks at the critical challenges which rival skippers Michael Clarke and Paul Collingwood will face in today's World T20 final

The conclusion of the World T20 tournament has some fascinating undertones that should add to the satisfaction of having the two best teams in the final.

This is Australia versus England the longest running feud in the game going almost all the way back to the convicts versus masters days. This is also a fore-runner of the much anticipated Ashes clash later this year; the winner of the T20 will have bragging rights at the start of that series.However, it's mostly an eagerly awaited contest between two in-form teams who match up pretty well. How well you ask?

Here's a look at some of the crucial questions that await the captains Michael Clarke and Paul Collingwood as they prepare for the final.

Pace versus variety:
Australia has placed all their eggs in the pace basket and they have the ideal venue, a bouncy Kensington Oval pitch to indulge themselves one last time. Aiding them in the quest to bounce their way to the title is the uncertainty surrounding the England opening pair. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb are the biggest question mark in Collingwood's combination.

Kieswetter and Lumb may want to take a leaf out of the Pakistan opening pair's playbook. They took a peak at the bowling for two overs and then attacked the Australian pace men. I'm not sure the Englishmen are good enough in the prevailing conditions. Advantage Australia.

Aggressive intent:
England has mirrored the Australian way; they have infielders in a position to save singles and look to take wickets at regular intervals. When the semi-final stage was reached these two teams were miles in front of the competition in dismissing batsmen and both delivered a high percentage of dot balls.

This is the most confidently aggressive England side I've seen. Nevertheless, the Australians are more athletic and have stronger throwing arms from the outfield. Also you won't see the Australians complaining about their teammates efforts in the field as England did for a couple of overs in the semi-final. Advantage Australia.

Boundary clearing or boundary reaching?
Australia is the best side in the competition when it comes to hitting sixes. Australia has five players in the top ten six hitters in the tournament while England only has two in the top twenty. However, England is the best team at reaching the ropes; the safer route against a good bowling and fielding side.

The England bowlers have been very successful at pitching short and mixing the pace of those deliveries to upset a batsman's rhythm. The Australians have shown they know how to dispatch length balls into the stands but can they do the same via the horizontal bat?

This is the big unknown quantity and could play a part in deciding the title.

Selection:
Unless there are any injury concerns Australia will field an unchanged side. England has shown a similarly focused trait but there's one change they might consider for Kensington Oval.

Jimmy Anderson is a fine swing bowler when in form and he's also likely to take early wickets. I'd be tempted to give him the new ball if he's bowling with confidence and leave Michael Yardy out. It'd be a gamble seeing Anderson lacks match bowling but if he ripped out one or both of the irrepressible David Warner or the belligerent Shane Watson it could pay handsome dividends.

How much of a gamble is England likely to take to clinch their first world title?
They're not renowned for gambling on the cricket field.

Considering the form of both teams it should be a cracking final. It would be an upset victory if England won but only a minor one as they've never had a better chance to win that elusive first world title.