Individual battles will be decisive

Played at the world's greatest cricket ground, the terracotta coloured Lord's grandpa pavilion is sure to be smiling as he witnesses yet another monumental contest upon the hallowed turf that he overlooks. Without a spectator in the ground Lord's has the ability to capture the spirit of our wonderful game - a full house is certain to be a sight to behold as the sea of green, white and gold lightens up the stands.

Like the morning of the FA Cup Final, Wimbledon Final or the Boxing Day Test Match in Melbourne, the air around St John's Wood will be full of expectation and hope today. With rain forecast this morning we can again only pray that the weather gods, who have already been so kind, will take notice of this great expectation and clear the way for a wonderful confrontation.

Fans from around the world will be sitting in front of television screens and listening to radios as the more lucky one's line up outside the Grace Gates waiting for a glimpse of their favourite players, their favourite team.

A clear day will help finish off the perfect prop for the stage that will host one of the great games of one-day international cricket.

Apart from the pure festivity of this brilliant event, the main intrigue for me lies within the potential individual battles of mind and body. Akhtar bowling lightning bolts at Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, Ponting trying desperately to run out Inzamaam, and Akram's tactics compared to those of Steve Waugh. The chance to see Saeed Anwar's timing against the Glenn McGrath will be a highlight of the whole World Cup, as will be the fight of skill's between Shane Warne and Ijaz Ahmed, a player who has often been a thorn in the Australian's side.

So many times during this tournament we have seen how difficult it is to predict a result. There have been upsets, thrashings, controversies, spectacular catches, nail-biting finishes and magnificent individual performances. Today all that has gone before is history, with all emphasis solely upon who will perform the best under the intense pressure that goes hand in hand with a World Cup final.

The prize come stumps tonight is huge as not only will the best team take home an impressive piece of silverware but more importantly the tag of the World's number one team will be theirs.

Christmas Day is exciting for young children and their parents alike. The same emotions will be with me as I walk from the St John's Wood tube station to the Grace gates at 10 O'clock this morning. For cricket junkies around the World it should be a day to remember regardless of the result.

Once again time will tell.

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