World Cup Cocktail

Jignesh Sanghrajka --  the Indian cricket lover deemed too poor to get a visa to claim his prize of a ticket to the World Cup final -- has landed in Melbourne for the big event.

Only problem? His team didn't get there after their poor performance against Australia.

Sanghrajka won an Emirates competition, but was not granted an Australian visa because he didn't have enough money.

After a media campaign (and the backing of his travel mate), government killjoys relented.

He was in the air during India's loss to Australia. He also told the station he would be cheering for Australia in the final which, considering his treatment, is a miracle or sound PR.

McCullum writes to India

India's glorious journey in the World Cup came to an end, but the tournament itself is far from over. The Black Caps may have noticed that they've gained more than a billion new fans, as Indians around the world cheer the Kiwis. After all, they are the neutral's favourites.

In the pre-final press conference, Brendon McCullum said that he's confident that the Indian fans will be rooting for the Kiwis.

"I reckon we might have the home crowd tomorrow actually. I think it's probably no secret that most of the other teams around the world would probably fair New Zealand to win against Australia. So hopefully we'll get a good smattering of support tomorrow, and I'm sure the Indian guys will certainly be rooting for us."

But the Kiwi captain is leaving nothing to chance. The hard-hitting batsman took the time out to write a heart warming letter, asking for the support of the world's most passionate cricket fans for this historic final.

Lizzie marvels to sing NZ anthem

Kiwi classical-turned-pop singer Lizzie Marvelly will get to merge both of her loves after being chosen to sing the New Zealand national anthem at today's Cricket World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Marvelly, who has sung the anthem at more than 20 rugby and league games, said she was the captain of her King's College 1st XI cricket team during her time at the Auckland school.

"This is pretty huge. I think the only bigger live crowd that I have performed to would be the Warriors Grand Final in 2011 [Sydney], but this is very exciting and as a former 1st XI captain at high school, it's even more exciting," she said.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Rotorua and now lives in Auckland, started playing Kiwi cricket at age 7.

She said the final would be her first time singing at a cricket match, which compounded her nervousness even more.

"It's one of those events that the honour is ever-present, it never really diminishes and the nerves are pretty up there as well but it's very exciting. I'm very grateful to have the opportunity."

One of those hoping to join her across the Ditch is her father, who she said was overjoyed to discover she was off to Melbourne.

Marvelly, who put out her third album, Collisions, last year, said she found out only on Friday that she had been chosen for the illustrious gig, and expected to fly to Melbourne on Saturday morning.

Cricket 'Super Fans' armour up

Cricket Super fans, the 'Beige Brigade' are making emergency deliveries of Black Cap gear to under-dressed Kiwi supporters in Melbourne, ahead of the Cricket World Cup final.

Co-founder Paul Ford packed a suitcase full of shirts, hats and stubbies for supporters who had headed across the Tasman without first picking up their orders.

Beige Brigade members would drop off the gear to fans around the Aussie city and also dish it out from their hotel base.

"We haven't seen a demand like it for 16 years, when the Black Caps wore beige against Australia at Eden Park [in 2005]," Ford said. "We are not exactly Hallensteins but we have been selling heaps of stuff.

"At Auckland Airport I felt like a shirt trafficker."

Ford said some fans had managed to organise flights and tickets to Melbourne after Tuesday's semifinal win against South Africa but 'didn't have time' to pick up their Beige Brigade orders.

"We were happy to oblige in Melbourne and there will be a lot of appallingly dressed people at the MCG on Sunday."

Ford reckoned the Black Caps can pull off a shock result because there will be less pressure on the team than their Tasman rivals.

"There is a real spirit and humility about the players which people have really taken to. They are doing things the Kiwi way."   
-Compiled