Vast MCG will hold no fear for New Zealand

Home advantage has helped carry New Zealand through the World Cup, amid frenzied atmospheres that peaked during the astonishing semi-final against South Africa. Now, though, the players have left the feeling of familiarity behind to play the biggest match of their lives. And the contrast in venues does not come much greater than Eden Park to the MCG.

Some of the shortest boundaries in the world will be replaced by some of the longest. Both grounds have hosted four matches in the World Cup: the Auckland sixes count is 56, Melbourne 19. However, to suggest that it is a game-changing difference is to do injustice to New Zealand's batting. Martin Guptill's 110-metre six that landed on the roof in Wellington would have comfortably made the MCG stands and Brendon McCullum will just see it as another challenge. Still, there will be a new test presented to the batsmen.

New Zealand visited the MCG in October to get a feel for the venue, but walking round an empty ground cannot start to replicate what they will be greeted with on Sunday. The last time they played in Melbourne was 2009 and they were guided to victory by an unbeaten 61 from Grant Elliott, the one New Zealander not to make the planning trip last year.