Clarke warns Kiwis of MCG factor in final

AFP/SydneySkipper Michael Clarke says Australia’s experience playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be a major factor in Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand. Australia put themselves in line for a fifth World Cup title with an emphatic 95-run semi-final victory over defending champions India in Sydney yesterday. The Black Caps won a nerve-tingling semi-final against South Africa in Auckland on Tuesday with a six off the penultimate ball to book their first World Cup final appearance after losing all six of their previous semi-finals. New Zealand downed Australia by one wicket in a sensational finish to their low-scoring pool game in Auckland earlier in the tournament, but Clarke believes it will be different in Sunday’s final. The Black Caps last played Australia in an ODI at the MCG six years ago and overall have won just four of their 19 ODIs against the Aussies at the ground.  “I think the fact that the conditions will be different will certainly help us and we’ve played a fair bit of cricket throughout the summer at the MCG as well,” Clarke told reporters after yesterday’s victory. “Conditions are a lot different to what New Zealand have been playing in New Zealand, but in saying that we will have to play our best cricket to win. New Zealand have been the form team of the competition and they certainly deserve to be in the final. “There is always that great rivalry between Australia and New Zealand and the fact that the two hosting nations are in the final is extremely special.” Defeated India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said New Zealand’s biggest obstacle will be dealing with the size of the vast MCG arena after playing all their pool matches on smaller New Zealand grounds. “In New Zealand you can get away with quite a few mis-timed shots. Generally, in New Zealand you get good wickets but when you come to Australia you get a bit of reverse swing and the same time you might get wickets that are slightly two-paced. “How New Zealand take risks will be something that is very crucial and Australia have that advantage of knowing the wickets well and having three left-arm fast bowlers in their armoury,” Dhoni said.Clarke said mentally the Australians were ready to play in the tournament decider. “Obviously, we haven’t got much time and recovery will be our goal and focus over the next two days,” he said. “I think physical recovery is the most important thing for us right now. Mentally, the team is ready for this final. We have been building up throughout this tournament to get this opportunity to play in a World Cup final.” Clarke also praised the “exceptional” Steven Smith, whose 105 and his second-wicket stand of 182 with opener Aaron Finch (81) powered Australia to 328 for seven after Clarke elected to bat against India. “I feel really excited. Smithy was exceptional once again, and I was really proud of the execution of our bowlers,” said Clarke. “I can’t speak highly enough for the way he’s batting at the moment. He’s showing his class. “He’s still training extremely hard, still getting there early, still doing the work even though he’s batting so well, and I can’t say I’m surprised he’s getting the results he’s getting. He’s earned it.” He said losing to New Zealand in the pool stage was just the kick up the backside Australia needed. “I believe that was the turning point in this tournament for the Australian team,” Clarke said. “I think that gave us a bit of a kick up the backside. “We knew we got a good look at a very good team playing at the top of their game and I think our attitude from that day has been exceptional. The boys have got out of bed every single day to try and become better, and I think you’ve seen that in our results.” While Clarke picked New Zealand’s new ball attack as their main strength, he also paid tribute to his own pace bowlers, led by Mitchell Johnson, and the role they played in the victory over India. Johnson ended up with figures of 2-50 but those stark statistics gave only an inkling of his contribution after he had Virat Kohli caught for one and smashed the wickets of Rohit Sharma to remove the opener for 34. “Two crucial wickets,” said Clarke. “Mitch is Mitch, he’s a class performer. He probably hasn’t had the standout tournament everybody expecting, because they expect him to take five wickets every time walks onto the field, but I think he’s done the job for this team. I couldn’t be prouder of our bowling unit in general. Every one.”