AS CRICKET lovers around the world huddled in front of their televisions to watch the Cricket World Cup final, two boys from Rochester had the chance to get up close and personal with the Australian team at the MCG.
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A near-capacity crowd fillled the MCG as Australia and New Zealand prepared for their final tilt at lifting the trophy.
Before the game, Declan and Kade Pearse spent time on the ground with the Australian players.
The brothers, aged nine and seven, walked out with the Australian team for the national anthems.
Declan accompanied all-rounder Shane Watson while Kade walked out with spinner Xavier Doherty.
"We got some tickets from a friend of my husband's who won a competition with LG," mother Rebecca Pearse said.
"The boys were very excited."
The boys' dad Greg is an all rounder for Bamawm-Lockington United.
Mrs Pearse said her eldest son Declan was "super into cricket".
"His favourite player is Steve Smith and Kade is just starting to get into it," she said.
(Declan's) favourite player is Steve Smith and Kade is just starting to get into it.
- Rebecca Pearse
"His favourite player is David Warner."
At pubs and hotels around Bendigo, cricket lovers got right behind the Australians who began the game in exciting fashion removing New Zealand skipper Brendan McCullum for a duck.
Two more wickets followed before the Kiwis steadied the ship in the afternoon session of the one-day final.
But regardless of the result, the sportsmanship between the two nations was clear on Saturday.
Aussie captain Michael Clarke and Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum had a short but lively chat at a photo opportunity alongside the trophy on Saturday.
"It was more about wishing each other all the best," Clarke said.
"I have a great relationship with Brendon.
"I'll always be grateful for the way him and his team respected the Hughes tragedy and respected Phillip's family, so that's probably brought us closer together."
The Blackcaps abandoned the second day's play in their Sharjah Test against Pakistan as a mark of respect following Hughes' shock death.
– with AAP