World Cup final: Australian captain Michael Clarke looks to go out on top
AUSTRALIA will aim to send skipper Michael Clarke out in style by beating the Kiwis to win the World Cup in front of a record crowd.
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AUSTRALIA will aim to send skipper Michael Clarke out in style by beating the Kiwis to win the World Cup in front of a record crowd.
A packed MCG will farewell Clarke as he leads Australia out in his 245th and final one-day international in front of a TV audience of millions.
Victory on home soil would be a crowning achievement for Clarke, who has earned respect on and off the field and who now wants to focus solely on Test cricket.
Aussie fans have been urged to dress in gold to show their support. City landmarks AAMI Park and the Melbourne Star observation wheel will take on a golden hue in tribute to the home team.
A ‘’Go Gold’’ march will be staged from Birrarung Marr to the MCG from 12.30pm today.
The final is set to attract the biggest single-day crowd for an international cricket match.
The MCG’s record of 91,112 from the 2013 Boxing Day Test is expected to be beaten as Aussies and Kiwi fans flock in from near and far.
Cricket World Cup chief John Harnden said Australia would have home ground advantage, but New Zealand and its band of thousands of travelling fans could not be underestimated.
“There is no question it will be a very strong Australian crowd, but I don’t think you should underestimate the number of Kiwis that will be there, very loud and very passionate. They certainly punch above their weight.’’
With Victoria’s major events mettle again on display, Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne was again on show to the world.
“This is yet another blockbuster event for Victorians and continues a bumper year of major events for the world’s sporting capital,’’ he said.
Gates will open at 12.30pm two hours before the first ball.
Fans have been urged to arrive early and to catch public transport to beat traffic jams.
New Zealand — whose supporters are still scarred by that 1981 underarm delivery by Aussie Trevor Chappell — is making its first final appearance, but Australia is eyeing its fifth World Cup.
Aussies and Kiwis without a ticket can soak up the atmosphere with an official fan zone set up at Birrarung Marr, between Federation Square and the MCG.
Twitter: @rolfep
Originally published as World Cup final: Australian captain Michael Clarke looks to go out on top
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