Australia welcoming New Zealand to Melbourne on Sunday is the best final the World Cup could have hoped for, because they have been the two best teams in the tournament.
We always suspected that Australia would make it this far, but they have had to deal with a few issues along the way.
Firstly, there was the long-standing injury problems of captain Michael Clarke and the speculation surrounding his future as leader. Perhaps more importantly to the team was the side strain that ruled James Faulkner out of the start of the competition.
Either of those could have made them wobble, yet they have been impressive throughout and the manner in which theydisposed of a strong India team in Sydney on Thursday will send them to the Melbourne Cricket Ground full of confidence.
New Zealand, though not everyone's favourites to lift the trophy, were always fancied to do well because they have played every game so far in their own country.
That has not only brought the advantage of knowing the conditions, but also the tremendous support of a nation that has embraced the tournament.
By visiting New Zealand, you learn just how much it would mean to its people for their cricket team to go to "bigger brother" Australia and win the World Cup.
In the pantheon of New Zealand sporting achievement, it would be right up there with the Rugby World Cup win on home soil four years ago. It would be a tremendous accomplishment.
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