Cricket World Cup: Five numbers that should worry the Black Caps - and one that will give them cheer

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson talks to the media the day after their Cricket World Cup win over South Africa. Photo / Dean Purcell

Grant Elliott's knockout six, and the Black Caps' history-making place in the Cricket World Cup final, will have New Zealand fans high as a kite today.

Grant Elliott celebrates after his six sent the Black Caps through to the final.

No one likes to be a killjoy but there are five stats that will bring fans back down to earth with a heavy thud - and one that will give them cheer.

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The Herald's sports team believe India offer the Black Caps the best chance of taking home the trophy, although they doubt india will pull through against Australia tomorrow at the SCG. They also note that the MCG is also a different beast to Eden Park; it's a vast arena, so theoretically in the field it should be easier to defend the boundaries and harder to squeeze the twos into ones.

On past ODIs against Australia and India, the outlook for the Black Caps at the MCG doesn't look good.

Statsguru has this to say on the Black Caps' ODI record against Australia at the MCG:

The Black Caps' ODI record against Australia at the MCG and elsewhere in Australia doesn't make for better reading:

And the Black Caps' general ODI record against Australia (in and outside Australia) isn't much better:

The Black Caps have played two ODIs against India at the MCG, and won both times.

But when you look at their general ODI record against India in Australia, it's a mixed bag.

And against India in ODIs in general, the Black Caps have lost more than they've won:

But let's leave you with another statistic: the number of times Australia has beaten India in ODI at the SCG - not as many as you'd think.