LONDON, England (Reuters) - Members and fans at Lord's today may want to take their seats a while before the first ball is bowled in the triangular series final between New Zealand and West Indies.
When Brian Lara and Stephen Fleming perform the toss, it could be the most crucial passage of play in the game.
In six completed matches in the series also involving England, the team winning the toss have gone on to win each match with reasonable ease.
The quirk is because the side who have won the toss have always decided to field first, ensuring they know what target they need to chase.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell has criticised England's one-day pitches for favouring seam bowling first up but they have mostly been to the detriment of the hosts, who blindly set targets on unpredictable wickets, which were easily overhauled.
But judging by England's 285 for seven and West Indies' 286 for three in the group game at Lord's on Tuesday, the wicket at the home of cricket is more suited to an even contest.
Chris Gayle's match-winning 132 not out on Tuesday denied West Indies the chance to show how far they can bat down. They included eight specialist batsman and decent wicketkeeper-batsman Ridley Jacobs at nine although Jermaine Lawson could come back into the side for greater bowling depth.
CONFIDENCE GLEANED
The confidence gleaned from beating England twice in the series will be tempered slightly by the five-wicket defeat to New Zealand, who have won the three matches they have completed in the tournament.
Thursday's rained-off encounter between the two sides at Southampton prevented Andre Adams, who had surprisingly been brought into the Kiwi squad from English club cricket, from adding to his 30 caps.
He was brought in as cover for injury doubts, Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram, but both should be fit to return at Lord's.
If showers curtail the final today a reserve day has been set for tomorrow.
New Zealand: (from) Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Ian Butler, Andre Adams, Gareth Hopkins, Michael Papps, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, James Franklin.
West Indies: (from) Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara (captain), Ricardo Powell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Ridley Jacobs, Darren Sammy, Jermaine Lawson, Ian Bradshaw, Ravi Rampaul, Carlton Baugh, Tino Best.