Tim Southee believes New Zealand are ready for 'one more big push ' in the on Sunday in Melbourne when they face fierce rivals Australia in the World Cup final . The fast bowler said his team had allowed itself a day to celebrate the dramatic semi-final win over South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland , and had now 'parked ' the memory of that match . Playing in a World Cup final , particularly against Australia in front of almost 100,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground , was his 'dream come true . ' Tim Southee is relishing the prospect of facing Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday . New Zealand practiced at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday in preparation for the final . Daniel Vettori will play his last ever ODI for New Zealand on Sunday in the World Cup final . 'As a kid growing up you either wanted to be an All Black or a Black Cap and this is as good as it gets , ' he said . ' I 'm sure the guys are very excited to fulfill a childhood dream . ' Southee said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum 'speaks a lot about it being the time of our lives and the last couple of months we would n't replace for anything . We never wanted it to end , we 've made it last as long as we possibly cane and one more big push and the guys will remember it forever . ' Southee spoke of a sporting rivalry with Australia in which New Zealand was always 'the little brother . ' He was asked directly at a news conference on Friday whether Sunday 's final was about winning the respect of a fierce sporting rival whose attitude to New Zealand cricket has always contained a note of condescension . New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson practices his football skills during the training session in Melbourne . New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum in the nets just outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground . Grant Elliott has a throw at the stumps in a fielding drill during New Zealand 's practice session . Southee allowed that there had been cause in the past for Australia to view New Zealand in that manner . 'In times gone by we have n't played to our potential or been as consistent as we should have been , ' he said . 'In the last two years we 've slowly , slowly gained a bit more respect because of the brand of cricket we 're playing . 'We respect Australia , they 're a quality side and they 're not No 1 in the world for no reason . But I 'm sure we 've gained a bit of repsect for the brand of cricket we 've played over the last couple of years . I guess that opinion has changed a little bit over the last couple of years in the way that we 've played and because of the sides we 've beaten . ' Southee said a World Cup final between the tournament 's co-hosts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - one of cricket 's greatest stages - was 'pretty exciting . ' 'It 's an awesome opportunity , ' he said . 'It 's going to be a great game of cricket . Obviously both teams are playing exceptionally well at the moment and both are playing a great brand of cricket so it should be an exciting game and a great game to watch . ' New Zealand captain McCullum and fast bowler Trent Boult share a joke during their practice session . New Zealand 's lethal opening duo of Boult ( left ) and Southee ( right ) practice in Melbourne . The 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground will provide a fitting venue for Sunday 's showpiece . The first appearance of gamesmanship in the leadup to the match came early , when former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden said New Zealand might be at a loss in the giant auditorium of the Melbourne Cricket Ground , because it is so much larger than the venues in which they typically play at home . ' New Zealand has n't played Australia at the MCG in almost six years but Southee doubted they would struggle to adapt to the dimensions . 'We 're not too worried about the size of the ground , ' Southee said . 'Yeah , we have n't played here for a long time but there are half a dozen guys who were part of the last game that we played here and we have good memories of that game . It 's a big cricket ground , there 's going to be a lot of people , it 's going to be loud , but at the end of the day it 's another game of cricket . '
Tim Southee describes final against Australia as a 'dream come true ' New Zealand practiced at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday . Blackcaps landed in Melbourne on Wednesday after their thrilling four-wicket semi-final victory over South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland . New Zealand beat Australia by one wicket earlier in the tournament .