So after 48 matches, 23’162 runs, 703 wickets, and 454 sixes we’ve reached the World Cup Final, and would you know it we’ve ended up with the 2 host nations Australia and New Zealand battling it out for the biggest prize in cricket.
The less said about the England performance in this tournament the better, with a 15 run defeat to Bangladesh, and a 9 wicket defeat to Sri Lanka being two of the lowest points.
Again Ireland showed why having some none full test nations in the World Cup is a must by securing 3 wins, including memorable victories over the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
In the end though clearly the 4 best teams ended up in the Semi-Finals where New Zealand edged a tense rain effected game in Auckland over South Africa by 4 wickets, whereas Australia bowled and batted superbly to overcome the reigning World Champions India in Sydney by 95 runs.
The Final that takes place this Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will see the leading wicket taker Glen McGrath (Australia) up against Martin Guptill (New Zealand) who set the record individual score if 237 not out earlier in the tournament.
New Zealand do enter the match as slight favourites. They have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, whereas the Aussie’s have been beaten once – and that was by New Zealand at Eden Park in the group stages in a match that saw both teams struggle to just about reach 150.
Surprisingly though this will be Black Caps first ever final having faltered at the semi-final stage on six previous occasions, whereas the Aussies are 4 time Champions.
One thing is for sure though, you won't be able to get a ticket for the final, with the previous record attendance of 91,112 expected to be beaten.