Nerves abound at MCG and home as fans converge

World Cup cricket fan Kris Beehre, centre, was all attention at Ambrosia Restaurant and Cafe last night. Photo / Stephen Parker

Those who couldn't make it to Melbourne to watch the Black Caps were shouting their support all the way from Rotorua.

Avid cricket fans were watching New Zealand's maiden Cricket World Cup final yesterday at local bars and restaurants. Setting up a base at Eat Streat's Ambrosia Restaurant and Cafe were friends Rob Anderson, Kris Beehre, Simon Kerr, Lance Corbett and Clark Corbett. All were backing the national team.

"It's been a pretty nervous wait, we've been nervous since Thursday," Mr Corbett said.

"It doesn't matter if they win or lose, they made it to the finals."

Mr Anderson said this team was the best New Zealand had ever produced. He said the Black Caps needed to stay confident.

"It makes it more interesting us against Australia. We want to beat them on home soil so we can say we are proper world champions."

Rotorua singer Lizzie Marvelly stood in front of nearly 100,000 people to sing the New Zealand national anthem before the match.

"This is pretty huge," she said in a pre-match interview. "I think the only bigger live crowd that I have performed to would be the Warriors grand final in 2011 [Sydney]. But this is very exciting and as a former 1st XI captain at high school, it's even more exciting. It's one of those events that the honour is ever-present, it never really diminishes."