Aussie allrounders do battle for finisher role

On the eve of Australia's opening World T20 match against New Zealand on Friday, a storm is brewing between two world-class heavyweights.

The feud centers around two allrounders vying for the title of 'The Finisher', a tag bestowed on a player who has ice flowing through his veins in the heat of battle and can safely guide his side to victory.

The champion, Tasmanian James Faulkner, claimed the prestigious title in October 2013 with a stunning ODI assault against India in Mohali, blasting 64 from 29 balls to drag the tourists off the canvas and win by four wickets with three balls remaining.

He's since done it eight more times to be recognised as the undisputed 'Finisher' in one-day internationals.

The challenger, Western Australian Mitchell Marsh, has taken a different route, focusing on the shortest format of the game to be the No.1 contender.

It's been a rapid rise for the 23-year-old, whose last two bouts ended in one-ball knockouts, sinking the Proteas to deliver Australia a series win.

Marsh faced only two balls in the three-match T20 international series in South Africa earlier this month, and on both times hit the winnings runs.

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"The one at the Wanderers, all I was saying was just don’t get out," Marsh said.

"Because I knew we’d get one somewhere, because they still had fielders out.

"So it was just, keep the ball on the ground and don’t get out.

"In the last game (at Newlands) I was just going to try and hit it for four no matter where, we still had a few balls to go to get two runs I think so I was reasonably calm and it’s always nice to hit the winning runs for your country."

Now the two combatants have spoken about the rivalry, and they haven't held back any punches.

"James Faulkner, eat your heart out," Marsh said, unable to hide his grin.

"He stole my No.6 spot. Not happy," said Faulkner with a smile.

But after tempers cooled and jokes were put to one side, the pair paid tribute to each other, and will likely form the backbone of Australia's middle order on the subcontinent over the next three weeks.

"I said that he can have the mantle, he’s pretty protective of it, so if I have to hit the winning runs hopefully he’s out there with me and he can still claim it," Marsh said.

"Nah, it's good," said Faulkner. "I enjoyed batting with him in the second game that we won (at the Wanderers), I hadn't really batted with him to be honest.

"Looking forward to getting a few hits with him this tournament and in the one-dayers as well, it'll be nice."