Melbourne: New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum looked ready to steer his team past the pressure tactics likely to be employed by Australia on the eve of Sunday’s final. His first suggestion to them was to feel relaxed: “Tomorrow is a huge occasion but we’ve played so well all the way through, a nice, relaxed, calm emotional state, and it will be the same tomorrow. We’ll go out there and just try to do our best.”
McCullum was frank enough to admit that the final will be the ultimate game for his team. “A 100,000 people in Australia’s backyard Melbourne Cricket Ground and history and tradition are all against us, but it has been a great ride for us so far. I guess this is the ultimate game for us to be able to play. With that, I’m sure some guys will be nervous tomorrow morning, at the same time I guess there is some excitement about us going out there tomorrow and putting our skills against the best in their own backyard. That certainly whets the appetite and creates the greatest stage we can ask for. It’s certainly going to be a special day.”
The firebrand batsman and captain is not really concerned about the outcome of the final, but has certainly enjoyed the ride to final. “I think our ride so far has been pretty amazing. We had all dreamt right from the start until now to give ourselves a 50-50 chance; and now to be in the final is an amazing achievement. So it looks like we’ve done some special things over the last little while.”
McCullum is thankful for the tremendous support he has had from fans all around the world. “We had some tremendous support back home, and also from around the world as well. I think the brand of cricket that we’ve played has really touched a lot of people and endeared ourselves to a lot of people who follow this game. We’ve got one more big hurdle tomorrow. We’ll give it everything we’ve possibly got. Hopefully, if we play well we’ll be smiling at the end of the day and be able to look back on a fantastic campaign and something which would hopefully invigorate the game in New Zealand.”
He then went on to reveal how through a positive approach, he has prepared his team for the ultimate battle. “There is no challenge which is insurmountable. All that one needs is a lot of hard work, lot of heart, lot of belief, and making sure that everyone’s heading in the same direction. Only then are you able to play a brand of cricket that gives you your greatest chance; and that’s what we’ve had throughout this World Cup and we’ve built it over a period of time.
“Again, it doesn’t guarantee you success but it gives you the greatest chance. I know tomorrow we’ll still remain authentic to how we play. We’ll play an aggressive brand of cricket with the bat and ball on the field. We’ll also play with the humility with which we’ve played throughout this campaign. Hopefully, the big fella up there shines on us when the pressure situations come into play.”
