KEY POINTS:
Dan Vettori and Ricky Ponting might disagree on any number of cricketing matters, but on one thing they are whistling the same tune.
"Tomorrow is everything," Australian captain Ponting said of today's fifth and deciding Chappell-Hadlee ODI at the Gabba.
Added Vettori: "This is the most important game
a New Zealand team has played for a long time."
So that's sorted out then; there's a fair bit riding on today's contest.
From the Australian perspective, theirs has been a home summer to forget: beaten by a very strong South African side in both test and ODI series and now 100 overs away from possibly being done 3-2 by New Zealand. Oh, the ignominy of it all.
They head to South Africa on Monday. Win today and they'll at least fly out with a spring back in their step; lose and it'll be false nose, glasses and moustache ensembles all round.
New Zealand have never won a one-day series in Australia, although they have bumped Australia out of their own tri-series, in 2002, only to lose the finals to South Africa. India arrive shortly; beating Australia would be the ideal tonic ahead of that assignment.
"There is a lot of motivation going around," Vettori said yesterday. "We have guys coming here for the first time with no baggage. That's exciting.
"And there's the excitement of playing a final and enjoying an opportunity to beat Australia. They are few and far between for a lot of players and this could be the start of something great for a very young team."
Vettori said he was over a hamstring twinge picked up at Adelaide on Tuesday and he expects wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum to be fine after damaging his right shoulder in Sydney last Sunday. The only selection issue for Vettori and coach Andy Moles is over offspinner Jeetan Patel and extra batsman Craig Cumming, with Patel favoured to get the job.
New Zealand have won six of 11 ODIs in Brisbane, but have played Australia only once - their opponents on previous tri-series have been the "other" team: either England, South Africa, India or Sri Lanka.
They can bank on a pitch offering some bounce to the bowlers and the team batting first invariably have to counter some tasty conditions for the seamers.
Vettori will need to think about when to introduce himself into the attack. He likes the 20 to 40-over mark, but has come in as early as the 12th over during the series.
He needs to regain his penetration, and must look for more demanding contributions from his other bowlers. They were right on the money in the first two games, then slipped up in Sydney and Adelaide, in part because wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has made a strong fist of a makeshift opening role with 109 and 43 in smart time.
Australia have a major worry over vice-captain Michael Clarke. He has been suffering lower back pain this week and is touch and go for today.
"This summer has not gone the way we would have liked," Ponting said yesterday, with an ever-so-slight hint of understatement.
"We want to finish the summer on a good note and give the people of Queensland an opportunity to see
Australia win a trophy."
Whether the Queensland people feel like getting off the couch is another story. The capacity of the Gabba is 39,000. Ponting hoped for a sellout.
He's likely to be disappointed, although local estimates are that the crowd might reach 33,000, easily the best of the series.
