Cricket World Cup: Last tickets for final snapped up

Grant Elliott celebrates after hitting the winning runs to book New Zealand a spot in the Cricket World Cup final. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Fans desperate to get to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to support the Black Caps had a chance to grab some last minute tickets today, but they were quickly snapped up.

The ICC released extra tickets to the game this afternoon at 2pm, quickly selling out.

Any Kiwis who did manage to grab one may find that flights and accommodation in Melbourne may be more difficult to hold of.

A search of popular airlines at 1.30pm showed Jetstar had the cheapest deal with seats on two flights on Saturday from Auckland to Melbourne selling for $734.

Qantas had a seat on one flight from Auckland to Melbourne for $760.

Air New Zealand had no seats available on any flights on Friday or Saturday.

One of the many New Zealanders who won't be looking to last minute pricey airfares to Melbourne for the final is Andrew Coulman, a 31-year-old ex-pat Kiwi living in Sydney.

The business analyst said he knew months out that the Black Caps were in good form to win the World Cup, and bought the tickets to ensure he wouldn't miss their appearance at the final.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic to be going down to Melbourne for the final, it's going to be entertaining."

Mr Coulman said he had a feeling the Black Caps would make the final a month ago.

"This is the best team I've ever seen for the Black Caps... I thought I'd be kicking myself if I don't get down there."

Mr Coulman will be going to the semifinal between India and Australia in Sydney, and was hoping Australia would win so they faced New Zealand in the final.

"I'd love to actually see a replay of the group game, and for the Black Caps to win it in Melbourne would just be the best possible outcome."

He had taken a trip to Rebel Sport to pick up some Black Caps supporters gear and was stunned to see the shop, and all the shops around the district, had sold out.

Mr Coulman said he expected there'd be a decent-sized contingency of New Zealand supporters at the MCG on Sunday, and promised to make sure his team heard their support.

Sarah Ward, a Kiwi studying in Melbourne, bought a ticket to the final last year. She said after seeing the semifinal last night she frantically phoned her father to see if he could make sure her Black Caps jersey would be posted to her in melbourne in time for the game on Sunday.

Tivoli Guthrie emailed NZME. News Service to tell the story of his friends David and Sam McDonald of Epsom, Auckland, who booked tickets to the final in December with the faith that the Black Caps would be there.

Mr Guthrie said they were teased and mocked, but had a quiet confidence the Black Caps were capable of going all the way.

"Their faith in Brendon McCullum and the boys has been undeterred, steely," Mr Guthrie said.

The pair would soon be off the Melbourne to see their team take part in the biggest game in New Zealand cricket history.