A record crowd is expected at the MCG today for the Cricket World Cup trans-tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand as the Aussies try to win their fifth World Cup.

 

The existing world record stands at 91,112 spectators which was made at the Boxing Day Test in 2013 but it’s expected that record will be smashed today.

 

The MCG’s capacity is 95,000.

 

While New Zealand has never won a World Cup, they have been on form, winning eight games in a row at home and a massive Kiwi contingent is expected to swarm the MCG.

 

Today’s final will be a changing of the guard for Australian cricket with Michael Clarke to play his last One Day International.

 

Clarke's decision will ensure some of the focus is taken off the trans-Tasman tussle, but he was confident that wouldn't be the case for teammates.

 

"It needs to be about the team and I want it to be about the team," he said.

 

"I just said it to my teammates then ... it's not emotion, it's skill that helps you win major games and major tournaments.

 

"It's a very special event, but it's no more special because it's my last game."

 

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum says there could be no better place for New Zealand to complete a World Cup fairytale than the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

 

He said 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," McCullum said.

 

"The coliseum which it is - against a very good Australian team. It's the greatest stage we can ask for."

 

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.

 

(9news.com)