'It doesn't get any better than facing Aus in final'

New Zealand weathered the Mitchell Starc storm in a low-scoring group match in Auckland. But at the MCG in a World Cup final, the Kiwis can’t afford the mistakes they committed when the two sides met last time.  

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Kiwi paceman Tim Southee when asked if beating Australia in the final was the most satisfying way to win the World Cup. “Obviously co-hosts, it doesn’t get any better than that, taking on Australia in Australia in one of the best cricket grounds in the world. Yeah, guys are very excited, and an awesome opportunity,” he said here on Friday.

Southee felt that New Zealand have earned respect of their opponents with the brand of cricket they have been playing in the last couple of years. “In times gone by, we probably haven’t played to our potential and not been as consistent as we should have been,” he offered when asked if the Australian looked the Kiwis down their noses.

“In the last two years, we have slowly gained a little bit more respect around the world because of the cricket we are playing and the brand of cricket. We respect Australia, they are a quality side, they are not the No. 1 side in the world for no reason and I am sure they have gained a bit of respect for us for the brand of cricket we have played over the last couple of years. I guess that opinion has changed a little bit in the last couple of years in the way that we have played and in the sides that we have beaten in various conditions,” he remarked.

The paceman, who has been one of the architects of New Zealand’s unbeaten run to the final, said playing the final is a dream come true. “It’s a dream come true, I think, for all the guys,” he began. “As a kid growing up, you either want to be an All-Blacker or a Black Cap and this is as good as it gets. I am sure the guys are very excited to fulfil a childhood dream. Brendon speaks a lot about this being the time of our lives and the last couple of months I wouldn’t replace that for anything. We never wanted it to end and we have made it last as long as we possibly can. One more big push and I am sure it’s something the guys will remember forever and it’s amazing to be a part of,” he noted.

Southee said playing in front of big crowd in India – in the IPL and other bilateral matches – would help them cope at the MCG which is expected to be full to its 100,000 capacity. “I think a lot of our guys have played in front of pretty big crowds in India – in the IPL or on tours to India,” he pointed out. “It will be a great occasion, obviously close to a hundred thousand people screaming. We have had a couple of big crowds in Eden Park, and that’s been quite impressive.

Obviously a smaller ground and you feel like the crowd is on top of you. It will be interesting to see how it is going to be here but I am sure the guys are pretty excited and will embrace the challenge and the excitement that comes with it.”