There could be no better place for New Zealand to complete a World Cup fairytale than the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
That’s Brendon McCullum’s attitude to playing the final at Australia’s imposing stronghold.
The Black Caps captain says beating the tournament favourites at the top of their game would be hard enough at the best of times.
Doing it at the MCG would represent New Zealand’s greatest cricketing achievement, eclipsing any of their previous eight wins.
“In front of 100,000, in Australia’s backyard, with the history and tradition – this is the ultimate game for us.
“The coliseum which it is – against a very good Australian team. It’s the greatest stage we can ask for.”
Adding to the theatre is counterpart Michael Clarke’s announcement that he will retire from one-day international cricket after the final.
McCullum rejected a suggestion the crown will go to whichever captain delivers the right tactics.
He said having as many players on top of their game is more important and he is working overtime to ensure his teammates embrace the occasion rather than feel overawed.
They should take confidence from a one-wicket win when the co-hosts met in Auckland a month ago.
They kept their cool to prevail in a tension-packed finish, before repeating the dose in a semi-final thriller against South Africa.
“It’ll be no different (in the final). Both teams possess match-winners and it’ll come down to who grabs the key moments throughout the game.
“There’s no challenge which is insurmountable.”
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