Cricket World Cup: Seven keys to the World Cup final

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and Australian skipper Michael Clarke. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Black Caps take on Australia in the Cricket World Cup final at the MCG tomorrow in what will be one of the biggest games in New Zealand's cricket history.

Both sides have been in great form throughout the tournament. Here are seven key issues that are likely to play a role in the outcome of the match.

1. How will Australia fare in the spin stakes?

It was Daniel Vettori's dismissal of Shane Watson that started Australia's collapse at Eden Park. Veteran tweaker Vettori has regularly kept the runs down over the past six weeks and taken key wickets. In sharp contrast, Australia have banked on Glenn Maxwell as their spin option in all but one match during the World Cup. Can the Aussies find a way to score at a good clip against Vettori? Can Maxwell find a way to break partnerships if the quicks don't fire?

2. Starc or Boult, who will be crowned the sultan of swing?

Australia's struggles against the hooping ball have been well documented, the most recent being when Trent Boult blitzed them in Auckland with an astonishing five-wicket haul. Mitchell Starc also swung the ball marvellously in that match and plenty of fans loved the low-scoring thriller. Swing is expected to be harder to attain in Melbourne so it could more of a run-fest. Which co-host will that suit more?

3. Which side will take their chances in the field?

Australia coach Darren Lehmann predicted pre-tournament that the best fielding side would go a long way to winning the World Cup. So far it's proven true. Both Australia and New Zealand have held some spectacular catches and engineered a few fantastic run-outs. Can they deliver a few more during Sunday's clutch moments?

4. Will Australia or New Zealand handle the pressure better?

Australia have been title favourites since well before the tournament started six weeks ago, while New Zealand are undefeated in the tournament and playing their first World Cup final. Given what's riding on the game, there will be immense pressure on both teams. New Zealand showed remarkable composure in their semifinal against South Africa, but could nerves be a factor in front of an MCG crowd of almost 100,000?

5. Will it be case of who dares wins?

Brendon McCullum and Michael Clarke have been widely praised throughout the event for their aggressive captaincy, especially when it comes to field placings and bowling changes. So what happens when it comes down to the final five overs and the game's in the balance? Will McCullum leave a catching cover there, will Clarke be so keen to stack the slips cordon?

6. Will the dimensions of the MCG derail the Black Caps?

So much talk in the lead-up to the pool-stage clash was about Eden Park's uniquely short straight boundaries. It showed, with Australia going too hard early and suffering a collapse of 8-26. Now the boot is on the other foot. As many Melbournians proudly declare, there's nothing quite like the MCG in the world. There's been a lot of conjecture on what that means for New Zealand, who haven't played at the venue since 2009. Will it be at the front or back of their minds? Will it matter?

7. Will the frenemies start to fire up?

"Mutual respect" were the buzzwords coming out of both camps prior to the pool match on February 28. Clarke has already started to heap praise on McCullum's men, calling them the form team of the tournament. Will it stay so cordial on Sunday? If there are a few blow-ups, which side will be able to stay focused?

- AAP