5 Keys to Success for New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup Final
Australia and New Zealand meet on Sunday in the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne.
The trans-Tasman derby at the MCG will be the second meeting of the two neighbours in the 2015 edition of the tournament.
The Black Caps came out on top at Eden Park, Auckland, in the group fixture between the pair, although this time Australia have home advantage.
But, after a thrilling triumph over South Africa in the semi-final, New Zealand will be determined to upset the odds and lift the trophy.
We pick out five key factors that could help the Kiwis come out on top in the day-night fixture.
1. Understand the Conditions
Playing at home has been a major asset for New Zealand during their successful campaign.
They won all eight fixtures they played in their own back yard, including knockout ties in Wellington and Auckland.
However, now they have to go on the road for the first time in the tournament.
The MCG is vastly different from the grounds in New Zealand, and not just because of the sheer size of the venue.
There are no short boundaries in Melbourne. There will also be no partisan support in favour of the Black Caps, as there has been in their previous outings.
Brendon McCullum's side must acclimatise quickly to their new surroundings, though playing in the first semi-final has given them a little extra time to settle in.
2. Strike Early and Often with the Ball
Trent Boult and Tim Southee have been outstanding for New Zealand so far.
The seam duo have combined to pick up 36 wickets. Boult's tally of 21 victims has put him top of the wicket-taking charts, just ahead of Australia's Mitchell Starc.
Southee produced an outstanding example of seam bowling when he claimed a seven-wicket haul against England in Wellington.
Boult—who has a strike rate of 21.4 for the tournament—bagged two early wickets as the Black Caps had South Africa struggling in the early stages of the semi-final.
However, the Proteas recovered from 36 for two to reach 216 for three by the time rain intervened after 38 overs. The break resulted in a shortened contest that played into New Zealand's hands.
They cannot afford to let Australia, who have a deep batting order, off the hook in the same manner.
To that extent, Boult and Southee must make inroads up front. The Australian opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner will certainly go after them in the opening 10 overs.
3. Daniel Vettori's Spell
In the group game in Auckland, Australia got off to a flying start against New Zealand's seamers.
Although Aaron Finch was dismissed for 14 to the 14th ball of the match, the visitors still managed to score 68 runs in the opening powerplay period.
Brendon McCullum's answer to the early onslaught was to turn to his spinner, Daniel Vettori.
While his final figures of two for 41 from 10 overs don't look that flashy, Vettori helped put the brakes on Australia's progress.
His dismissal of Shane Watson with the score on 80 helped spark a dramatic collapse—Australia lost their last nine wickets for 71 runs to be bowled out for 151 in just 32.2 overs.
The MCG is not the perfect pitch to bowl spin on, but Vettori will feel more comfortable with the giant boundaries at the ground.
Vettori has an economy rate of 3.98 during the World Cup, while his 15 wickets have come at an average of 18.80.
4. Get on Top of Australia's Seamers
Australia will hit New Zealand with plenty of pace in the final.
Mitchell Starc has taken 20 wickets in the tournament so far, with six of them coming in the group game against the Kiwis.
In that fixture, his fellow left-arm paceman, Mitchell Johnson, struggled.
His six overs went for 68 runs, with Brendon McCullum—who made 50 from just 24 deliveries—taking a particular liking to his bowling.
The New Zealand captain will again look to attack at the top of the order—his strike rate for the tournament is a stunning 191.81 per 100 deliveries.
Johnson is unlikely to open the bowling this time, with Australia settling on a pattern with how they use their seam bowlers.
Skipper Michael Clarke often uses Starc in a short spell in the early stages, saving his premier strike bowler in ODI cricket for the latter stages.
Johnson, meanwhile, has been used as a first-change bowler. Instead, Josh Hazlewood has opened up with Starc in the knockout games against Pakistan and India.
McCullum and his fellow batters need to find a way to upset Australia's best laid plans, forcing Clarke to mix things up.
5. Continue Playing Aggressively
The tension of playing in a major final can often get to players, even at the very highest level.
Jesse Hogan in the The Sydney Morning Herald reported the attendance at the MCG for the showpiece could break a world record.
New Zealand have not played in Melbourne since 2009, with six of the side that won by six wickets on that day likely to be playing again on Sunday.
While there is so much on the line, the Black Caps cannot afford to suddenly get cautious.
Before the semi-final against South Africa, Brendon McCullum said, per Sky Sports: "Just because there's pressure on a game, it shouldn't take you away from what's your best opportunity to win."
Skipper McCullum is as aggressive in his captaincy as he is with a bat in his hand.
He is willing to back his bowlers with attacking fields, and that positive approach has helped New Zealand progress this far.
They must continue in the same manner in the final, as Australia will certainly not consider taking a backward step.