Melbourne, Australia: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Australia are bidding to be crowned world champions for a fifth time, while New Zealand are playing in their first World Cup final.
Both Australia and New Zealand were unchanged from their semi-final wins over defending champions India and South Africa respectively.
McCullum’s Black Caps have won eight matches in a row, including a one-wicket victory over Australia in a low scoring pool stage thriller in Auckland a month ago.
“The wicket looks outstanding, we can give ourselves a great opportunity to put runs on the board,” said McCullum as he explained his decision to bat first.
“We’re going with the same team and we know we’ll be tough to beat. The guys are excited, certainly not fearful. We can’t wait to get amongst it.”
Australia, the top-ranked side in one-day cricket, will be considered favourites playing at the MCG where New Zealand last played a one-day international in 2009.
Skipper Michael Clarke, a World Cup-winner in 2007, has announced that he will be playing in his 245th and last ODI in the final, with the Australia batsman quitting 50-over cricket in a bid to extend his Test career.
“I would have batted first but the wicket looks outstanding so I don’t think it matters,” said Clarke.
“Physically we’ve been able to get ourselves right and we’re ready to go. Hopefully we can play some entertaining cricket.”
New Zealand have defeated Australia in three of their last five ODIs at the MCG, including a six-wicket win with seven deliveries to spare in their most recent appearance at the ground six years ago.
Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wkt), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Daniel Vettori, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
Weather: Sunny, fine. Maximum temperature of 23 Celsius
Pitch report: Good batting wicket, with bounce that will assist fast bowlers. – AFP
