Michael Clarke not expecting Australia changes for World Cup final
Last Updated: 28/03/15 12:09pm
Michael Clarke is hopeful Australia will be unchanged for the World Cup final with New Zealand on Sunday with bowler Josh Hazlewood expected to be fit.
Hazlewood left the pitch near the end of their 95-run win over India at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a thumb injury but Clarke is confident it was nothing more than precautionary.
The 25-year-old took 4-35 against Pakistan in Australia's quarter-final and backed that up with a strong display in Thursday's victory, and he has developed into a key member of their pace-dominated attack.
"Hazlewood come off the field at the end there with a sore thumb, but sounds to me like he's completely fine," Clarke said.
"He just wanted to rest up for the finals, so the youngster just took a few overs off. I think at this stage, everybody else is pretty good."
"I think if everyone is fully fit, it's going to be extremely hard to change the 11.
Clarke has captained Australia in 73 one-day matches and victory on Sunday would be a 50th win at the helm, but New Zealand have won all their matches in the tournament so far, and secured a thrilling one-wicket win over Australia in the group stages.
Clarke said: “New Zealand have been the form team of the competition and beaten us once in this tournament, but I'm confident that, if we play our best, we can beat them tomorrow.
"It's a special game, no doubt about it, but it needs to be about the team and I want it to be about the team.
“I've just said it to my teammates. And I've been the one to come out and say, it's not emotion, it's skill that helps you win major games and major tournaments, and tomorrow will be no different.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for every single player in that changing room to walk out onto the MCG in a World Cup final. It's a very special event but it's no more special because it's my last game."
