5 reasons why New Zealand will struggle in the World Cup final

With the month-and-a-half bonanza finally coming to an end, New Zealand and Australia are the only teams with their hopes alive as all others sunk into the obscure future of unyielding hope.Keeping in touch with the recent trend, the home teams have made it the farthest (India and Sri Lanka were the finalists last time around) at the expense of countless heartbreaks. However, having made it this far, exceeding all expectations, New Zealand have their work cut out facing a formidable and rampant Australian team at the "G"As much as most neutrals will like the dream of the Blackcaps to turn into a reality, here are 5 reasons why that is more of a probability than a possibility:

#1 Haven\'t played an ODI in Australia since 2009

Some might find this really difficult to believe, but New Zealand last played an ODI in Australia in 2009. This is an even bigger surprise considering the fact that the two countries are situated near each other.

Out of the current playing XI, as many as 5 New Zealand players will be making their debut on Australian soil – on the small and petite occasion of a World Cup final. Add to it the fact that there is no practice match before the game; the players will stride out on the field straight on the eve of the game.

New Zealand have been playing all their games at home. To leave their comfort zone and play the game on a neighbouring island straight on the grandest stage of them might prove to be a daunting task indeed.

The Kiwis don’t have the best record against Australia, let alone in Australia either as evident below.

	Played	Won	Lost	NR
All matches	126	35	85	6
in Australia	60	18	38	4