Everything you need to know about the Cricket World Cup final but were afraid - or didn't think - to ask.

The form

New Zealand have won their past 10 one-day internationals, including all eight games in the World Cup. Crucially, all of those matches have been played in New Zealand. Australia have won 13 of their past 15 ODIs, including one no result against India in January, and more pointedly, an epic one-wicket loss to the Kiwis in the pool stages of the World Cup.

The odds

New Zealand may be unbeaten in this tournament, but it has not impressed the bookies with the Black Caps starting at $3 outsiders, while Australia are the hot favourites at $1.40.

The teams

Both teams are likely to field the same XIs from their semi-final victories.

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Matt Henry

The stats that matter

• Australia have hosted New Zealand 19 times at the MCG, winning 14 (including the infamous underarm match in 1981), losing four with one no result.
• These two teams have met once before in a World Cup knockout match, with Australia winning the quarter-final in 1996 by six wickets.
• This will be the seventh final for Australia, who have won five titles overall, while New Zealand will be lining up for their first.
• Six members of New Zealand's team have not played an international game at the MCG, which has some of the longest boundaries in world cricket.

Foot in both camps

New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi played four one-day internationals for Australia in 2008.

Departing veterans

This will be the last one-day international for Australian captain Michael Clarke who has announced his retirement from this format of the game. Sunday's final will be his 245th ODI after making his debut against England in January 2003. Today will also likely to herald the end of former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori. The left arm-spinner has played 294 ODIs since making his debut in March, 1997. 

Key match-ups

Michael Clarke v Brendon McCullum
The two skippers are regarded as the most attacking and aggressive in world cricket. McCullum's aggression continues with the bat where his audacious approach has inspired fear in bowling attack. Clarke is more circumspect but is viewed as a perfect foil for Australia's otherwise aggressive middle-order.

Steve Smith v Kane Williamson
The No.3 batsmen can adapt their batting to fit the circumstances of the game. They can consolidate when early wickets are lost and attack when the run rate needs to lift. Smith has been in better form during this World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell v Corey Anderson
The allrounders are arguably the two most entertaining players in both teams. They can both hit sixes with the bat and be hit for six with the ball. On song, both of them can rapidly lift the run-rate but as the fifth bowling option they are sure to be targeted by the opposition.

Mitchell Starc v Trent Boult
The two standout fast bowlers of the tournament. Mitchell Starc is slightly quicker than his New Zealand rival, but Trent Boult has claimed one more scalp in the tournament. The economy rate of Starc (3.65) and Boult (4.41) is astonishing in a tournament dominated by big hitting and inventive batsmen.

Daniel Vettori v well, no one
New Zealand's veteran spinner is the only specialist slow bowler in either side. His intervention in the pool match between these two sides in Eden Park in February was pivotal in Australia's subsequent batting collapse.

How do I watch

If you are not one of the expected record crowd of 90,000 plus at the MCG then you can watch the game on either Channel 9 or FoxSports 3. Coverage on Channel 9 starts at 2pm, while FoxSports kicks off their pre-game show at 12.30pm. First ball bowled at 2.35pm and if the match goes into the final over, expect it to finish around 10pm.

Who should we feel sorry for?

The other sporting codes. The Wellington Phoenix entered this weekend on top of the A-League ladder but will anyone in the Land of the Long White Cloud be watching their clash against Sydney FC? As for the Roosters versus Raiders at Allianz Stadium in the NRL, puhlease!

I don't like cricket, what else is on?

Inside the Commons, ABC TV, 7.40pm. Gripping fly-on-the wall documentary as two new members of the House of Commons learn the ways of the British Parliament.

Finding Bigfoot, Animal Planet 7.30pm. Having not been able to find sasquatches in the North America, the team head to the UK to try their luck. Apparently, Loch Ness may hold the key.