Two of the key cricket attendance milestones reached at the MCG could be trumped by Sunday's World Cup final.

Australia's inability to reach the finals in 1992, the preceding time they co-hosted the tournament, proved no impediment to drawing a crowd of 87,182 for the final between Pakistan and England.

The other most notable record achieved at the MCG came 15 months ago when the first day of the Boxing Day Test attracted 91,112, the biggest recorded crowd for a day of Test cricket.

Harnden predicted the first qualifier for the final, New Zealand, would attract support beyond their travelling and expat fans, because of the distinct passion they have demonstrated throughout the tournament.

Harnden said the mood of the crowds across the MCG's four group matches - Australia-England, South Africa-India, Sri Lanka-Bangladesh and the India-Bangladesh quarter-final had fortified his hopes that "Sunday is going to be one of the great experiences in sport".

South Africa and India drew 86,876, an astonishing (and deafening) turnout for non-Australian teams during the group stage of the tournament.

Man cuts tongue after Oz's innings

A cricket crazy youth in Tamil Nadu cut his tongue on Thursday seeking the 'intervention of gods' to make India win the World Cup semifinal match against Australia.

Sudhakar of Ponneri in Vellore district, who closely follows cricket, was sad after Australia amassed 328 runs batting first against India in the semifinal.

Desperation drove the youth to act in a reckless manner and he cut his tongue with a knife at his residence, the Jolarpet police said.

On his hearing Sudhakar's cries, his relatives and neighbours came to his rescue. They rushed him to Adukkamparai government general hospital.

The police said they had not registered a case as there was no complaint.

Boult's girlfriend using him as an incentive

Sharing her boyfriend with the rest of the nation is something Gert Smith is still getting used to but she is "ecstatic" about why.

The 24-year-old Primary School teacher has suddenly been thrust into the limelight as the partner of the Cricket World Cup's top wicket taker, Black Cap Trent Boult.

Being thrust into the limelight is new for Smith. Her class of year 5 and 6 at Fairhaven School in Te Puke had only just found out she liked cricket.

Smith was able to harness the class's enthusiasm for their newfound "celebrity" girlfriend with a behaviour chart.

"They get tokens for good behaviour which represent dollars. I have told them that when they earn $100, Trent will come and visit."

Smith - whose real name is Alexandra met the Tauranga bowler two years ago in a Hamilton bar when she was out with her cousin, fellow Tauranga cricketer Daniel Flynn, himself a former Black Cap and now captain of the Northern Districts.

World Cup Final breaks 28-year jinx

Sunday's World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand will be the first title clash without an Asian team since 1987.

The last final without an Asian challenger was played in 1987 when Australia beat England by seven runs at the Eden Gardens.      -Compiled