Melbourne, March 20: Will be the final of the ongoing cricket World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 29 a one-sided affair?
World Cup Special; Semi-final schedule
Going by the trends, it looks the final will not generate much entertainment for whoever bat first at this massive ground (the biggest in the world) win the match easily.
The rule hasn't changed since the final of the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan had beaten England by 22 runs to lift their maiden world title. However, in the 1992 edition, at least three matches were won by teams batting second (England twice and West Indies once).
England were the last team to win a WC game batting 2nd at the MCG, in 1992
In the 2015 World Cup, the matches played at the MCG have virtually been decided at the toss. Whichever team wins the toss here doesn't spare a moment to decide to bat first and those chasing it under the lights find the going extremely tough.
Here is a look at the brief results of the matches played at the MCG in the 2015 World Cup:
The difference in batting in the two halves at the MCG is like chalk and cheese, as it can be seen from the scores. The average margin of loss in the four matches played at the MCG in this World Cup is 110, which suggests that whoever wins the toss in the final on March 29 will pocket half of the game then and there.
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