Elliott joins Black Caps on return trip to 'G

When the New Zealand cricket team undertook a familiarisation trip to the Melbourne Cricket Ground five months ago, the hero of Eden Park was left at home.

After Grant Elliott smashed the Black Caps into the World Cup final with a six off the penultimate ball against South Africa he sought out his captain.

"Does this mean I get to come to Melbourne?" he asked Brendon McCullum.

The inclusion of the 36-year-old allrounder in the Kiwis squad after more than a year out of the side raised eyebrows in January, but a string of strong performances against Sri Lanka and Pakistan helped silence the doubters.

Quick Single: Elliott's extra-terrestrial performance

On Tuesday, his ice-cool temperament and his unbeaten 84 guided New Zealand into their first World Cup final and ensured the critics would stay hushed.

Despite his lengthy absence from the side he first represented in 2008 and his omission from the 20 players to make the reconnaissance trip to Melbourne last year, McCullum said Elliott had always been in their thinking for the tournament.

"Grant is able to step up in big occasions," he said. "When he was out there batting last night it just reminded you of why he was the guy that you never shut the door on."

The side will now return to the MCG, where Elliott hit an unbeaten 61 to guide the side past Australia in a one-dayer in 2009.

Coach Mike Hesson said Elliott had proven why the selectors had placed their faith in the Johannesburg-born Kiwi who has called New Zealand home since 2001.

"We all want that calmness under pressure," Hesson said. "I think that batting in the middle is where you need that experience, that's where you need that calmness and that's where you need that guy who can pace the chase and see it through.

"He's done everything, and more, than we could have asked. I couldn't have wished for a calmer bloke," he said.

The New Zealand team head to Melbourne on Wednesday and McCullum said they would let the magnitude of what they had done sink in before preparing for Sunday's showdown against either India or Australia.

"When you achieve something as special as what we have done you don't want to park it too quickly. I think you've got to allow yourself to stop and smell the roses."

When the squad was on their MCG tour last October, McCullum spoke about their successes over India in January 2014 when they thrashed the world champions four-nil through a five-match ODI series, and the confidence that triggered within the squad.

"What I was most pleased about there was that we executed the style of play that we wanted to almost perfectly," he told cricket.com.au.

"We were put under a lot of pressure on many occasions by that team, and we responded really well.

"I saw some selfless traits within our group as well which made me think we're starting to make some really significant strides.

"Even if we'd lost that series four-nil, the manner in which we played is exactly what I want this team to be known for."

Ironically, the 33-year-old also discussed his team's other potential final opponents, Australia, and despite listing their various strengths, remained confident the Black Caps could topple their opponents from across the Tasman – just as they did when the two sides met in Auckland on February 28.

"In the past, you'd look at one guy who'd be consistent and kill you slowly almost, but with the advent of T20, and how skilled batters are getting, you have to be cautious and well planned and well prepared," he told cricket.com.au.

"You've got Warner, Maxwell, those guys, and we'll do our research on them, but if we execute where we need to execute, then we should be OK.

"If they're good enough to take it away from us, then they deserve to win."

Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori also backed up his captain's claim on that tour, adding that New Zealand's batting list possessed the quality equal to that of the Australians.

"Their top order is pretty phenomenal – Finch, Warner and Watson backed up by Maxwell and Clarke – there's some quality players there," Vettori told cricket.com.au.

"(But) players like (Kane) Williamson, (Brendon) McCullum and (Ross) Taylor in that top order can match the Australian top order."

New Zealand during their MCG tour last October