Cricket: History says bat first, or bowl, at the MCG

New Zealand's Kane Williamson, left, and Trent Bolt maneuver their fielders during their one day international cricket match against Australia in Sydney. Photo / AP.

History said bat first in Canberra. Kane Williamson decided to bowl after winning the toss and New Zealand lost the second match of the Chappell-Hadlee series by 116 runs.

So what should the Black Caps skipper do if he wins the toss in Melbourne tomorrow? That's not as straight forward a decision.

Of 145 ODIs played at the MCG since 1971, 141 have produced results and it's a near even split. 70 matches have been won by the team batting first, 71 by the team batting second.

Brendon McCullum won the toss ahead of the World Cup final at the MCG last year and decided to bat first. He was then dismissed third ball of the match and New Zealand struggled to 183 all out. Australia chased it down with seven wickets in hand.

However it seemed like a good decision by McCullum based on recent history. The previous four matches the MCG hosted at the World Cup had been won by the side batting first.

Breaking it down to New Zealand history at the MCG, the right call at the toss tomorrow is still unclear. The Black Caps have won eight ODIs at the ground, going back to 1981. Four of those were batting first and the other four were bowling first.

So Williamson should be safe in the knowledge that he can't make the wrong call. The best option might be to not win the toss.