As the cricketing world awaits the coveted World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand, we take a look at eight interesting facts involving the trans-Tasman derby.

1. It is a history which has been dominated by Australia. In 126 matches, they’ve won 85, while New Zealand have won 35, with six no-results.

2. The sides have met at Melbourne Cricket Ground (venue for the final) on 20 occasions. Australia have won 14 of those, but New Zealand won the most recent meeting in February 2009. Despite a 98 from Michael Clarke, Grant Elliot held his nerve (sound familiar?) to score 61 not out for the Black Caps to win by six wickets.

3. The last time the sides met in an ODI series, Australia won 3-2 in 2010. You have to go back to 2007 to witness the last time the Kiwis won a series.

4. Australia’s lowest total in a World Cup match was 129 against India in Chelmsford in 1983. The second lowest was barely a month ago, when they posted 151 against their neighbours in a one-wicket defeat in the group stages. It was their fifth lowest total ever against New Zealand.

5. Both sides have passed the 300 mark in an ODI between the two on six occasions. The most recent was in February 2007, when Brendon McCullum saw his side over the line with 86 not out in a one-wicket victory. His average against them however is a paltry 28.

6. Of the current players, McCullum has the most runs, passing 1 000 in the earlier group match. Perhaps surprisingly, Brad Haddin has the most hundreds. Both of his ODI tons have come against the Black Caps.

7. Daniel Vettori boasts the most ducks ever scored between the sides with seven. The lower order batsman still has a respectable three half-centuries against them though. He is the fourth highest wicket-taker between the sides, and has played the second highest number of  matches with 55 – five fewer than Steve Waugh.

8. Mitchell Starc’s 6-28 in their group encounter was the second-best figures between them. Shane Bond’s 6-23 in 2003 remains the best. The paceman has picked up four wickets or more an astonishing six times against the Baggy Greens – three more than Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.