WC FINAL, AUS vs NZ: ‘We can beat Australia, not worried about ground size’

Melbourne:  New Zealand seamer Tim Southee believes the Black Caps have the experience and the firepower to topple Australia in Sunday's World Cup final in Melbourne.

Southee said the Black Caps were relishing the opportunity of playing in their maiden World Cup final, a match that will also mark New Zealand's first appearance at the vast Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in six years.

New Zealand are the form side of the tournament having won all eight of their matches at this World Cup, a sequence that includes two dramatic clashes in Auckland, a one-wicket win over Australia in the pool phase and Tuesday's semifinal defeat of South Africa sealed by Grant Elliott's six off the second-last ball.

(Grant Elliott after the semifinal knock against South Africa, Photo: AP)

Australia captain Michael Clarke reckons his side's knowledge of playing at the MCG will be a major factor in the final as the home team chase a fifth World Cup title following their emphatic 95-run semifinal victory over defending champions India in Sydney on Thursday.

But that doesn't wash with Southee, who has claimed 15 wickets at 27.13 in the tournament and formed a potent new-ball combination with left-armer Trent Boult, the tournament's leading bowler with 21 wickets at 15.76.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden suggested the sheer side of the MCG for a New Zealand team who'd played all their previous matches at this World Cup on their own, much smaller grounds sparking a tide of derisive comments on social media from Black Caps fans.

But Southee told reporters at the MCG on Friday: "We are not too worried about the size of the ground.

"It's a dream come true for all the guys. This is as good as it gets, taking on Australia in Australia on one of the best cricket grounds in the world."

Veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has more experience of the MCG than his New Zealand teammates, having played there seven times since 1997, while skipper Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor have played there twice with Martin Guptill, Grant Elliott, Southee and Kyle Mills all having had one MCG appearance each.

All seven played in New Zealand's last visit to the ground, when they beat Australia by six wickets in 2009.

"We haven't played here for a long time. We have good memories from that (2009) game as well," Southee said.

"A lot of the guys have played in front of pretty big crowds in India. There will be close to 100,000 people screaming (on Sunday).

"It will be interesting to see what it's like here."