"There were a number of times [in the semifinal] where the New Zealand batsmen appeared to be hitting big balls - but they'd be getting caught three quarters of the way to the fence at the MCG."
Why does it always come down to size for the Aussies when measuring up to their Kiwi cousins?
As commentator Andrew Mulligan pointed out during the online hullabaloo, hasn't a rugby world cup, four nations league trophy, NBL title and Chappell-Hadlee crown proved that bigger isn't always better?
Vast boundaries? Just a gross over-simplification of the current scenario for a New Zealand team that has produced more in the last 43 days than anyone, especially Hayden, could have predicted.
Yes, beating the inner field is now more likely to yield a two or three compared to a boundary, but the men are there to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
I cannot name another cricket series involving New Zealand where no less than five different members of the batting group and three more in the bowling department have stepped up to be the man-in-the-moment to win matches.
Check any of them, none compare, not the halcyon days in the 1981-83 World Series, the unexpected streak at the 1992 World Cup, the 2000 ICC Knockout trophy victory or the Chappell-Hadlee triumphs (which included a six wicket win over Michael Clarke's team at the MCG in 2009).
While Brendon McCullum has set the tone throughout with his blistering rocket starts straight out of the gate - Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson and now Grant Elliott on Tuesday night have all stood on that foundation and delivered. With calm and poise.
Even Ross Taylor, arguably "out of sorts", has continued to chip in, no matter how nervous I feel when he calls for a second run.
The Wellington Regional Stadium crowd has been the church choir of a nation as the "Guptill, Guptill" chants of last week during that amazing 237 not out against the West Indies were picked up from the echo of 28 days earlier when "Southee, Southee" rang out as one-half of the swing kings sent seven English batsmen back for an early tea.
His partner, Trent Boult, should be taken dead seriously by the Canary Yellows after his five-for against them at Eden Park. You know, the place where despite short boundaries both teams combined managed only 303 against pace like fire.
By the same token, New Zealand need to see off Mitchells - Starc and Johnson - because, at that point, their hosts do not have a spinner with the guile of a Daniel Vettori to tie them down.
While he caused nightmares at the death in that Eden Park game, I cannot forget the look of uncertainty in Starc's eyes as he ran towards McCullum to start the innings - he genuinely had no idea where to put the ball against that whirlwind. McCullum and Guptill have combined for 32 sixes at the tournament, with the closest Aussie being David Warner on nine.
Think the MCG's too big? Pitch one too short or let slip a low full toss at either of those and watch what happens.
