Big ground, loud crowd, no swing. So what?
Paceman Tim Southee had a riposte to all the perceived disadvantages New Zealand must overcome when they play Australia in the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday.
The big issue to arise ahead of the decider is the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and whether the Black Caps can make the transition after notching eight tournament wins from eight on smaller grounds in New Zealand.
Even though half his squad haven't played at the cavernous MCG, Southee laughed the issue off, pointing out that all of them have played at numerous other large grounds - most notably in the subcontinent and Middle East.
After receiving raucous support throughout the tournament, the Black Caps will suddenly find themselves on the outer with a crowd expected to go close to 90,000.
Southee batted that off too, saying large, hostile crowds are par for the course overseas. Those who had experienced the Indian Premier League were used to a cauldron-like atmosphere.
Southee and new ball partner Trent Boult have thrived in the swing-friendly home conditions but the MCG doesn't traditionally provide such helpful conditions.
The 26-year-old, whose 15 wickets at the tournament are eclipsed by Boult's 21, admits swing is an important part of the pair's armoury.
"But it hasn't swung for us in every game and we've found ways to take wickets so I think that's the beauty of our attack," he said.
"We've got variety to it. If it does swing, we become more dangerous."
The visitors practised at the MCG for the first time on Friday, getting their bearings early on with some outfield catches.
Spinner Daniel Vettori took part, suggesting the back pain that dogged him in the semi-final win over South Africa won't be an issue.
Vettori has vastly more experience of the MCG than his teammates, having played there seven times since 1997.
He has a 3-2 winning record over Australia, along with two losses to South Africa during the 2002 tri-series.
Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor have played there twice while Martin Guptill, Grant Elliott, Southee and Kyle Mills have had one MCG crack each.
All seven played in New Zealand's last visit to the ground, in 2009 when they beat Australia by six wickets.
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