Having confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket, Australian skipper Michael Clarke then poo-poohed any notion that it would add extra resonance to today's occasion for his team.
Clarke, who will play his 245th and final ODI in the World Cup final, is walking away partly to prolong his test career but also because he came to the realisation he would not be around for the 2019 tournament in England.
His successor deserved a chance to settle into the role, as he had received when he took charge in 2008 in the Caribbean - when Australia's wicketkeeper was one Luke Ronchi.
But forget any suggestion that his decision would add more to Australia's preparation, or performance.
"I don't think so. It's a special game but it needs to be about the team," he said. "It's not emotion, it's skill that helps you win major games and tournaments. Tomorrow will be no different. It's not special because it's my last game.
"It is about the timing for me and the time is right to walk away from the one-day game."
Clarke stressed that point by saying he would bat No4 today if it is best for the team - "and if it's best not to bat at all then I don't bat in the game".
Australia have won 49 of his 73 ODIs in charge. Against New Zealand, he averages 39, five runs lower than across the board, and none of his eight hundreds have come off them.
Clarke will be remembered as an assertive captain, similar to Brendon McCullum in his desire to put pressure on batsmen and back his bowlers.
But he will not go down as one of Australia's storied, loved or admired leaders, such as an Allan Border, Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh, all of whom had that gruff, hard-man persona. Clarke didn't fit that mould, more the metrosexual type for many tastes.
"But I am who I am."
As the rival captains posed for photographs with the World Cup yesterday, Clarke and McCullum shared a few quiet words. Clarke wasn't about to go into detail, but acknowledged his admiration for McCullum and his team at the time of the Philip Hughes tragedy, when the former Australian left-hander was struck by a bouncer and died.
Clarke's handling of that tragedy improved his standing in the eyes of the Australian public and New Zealand's marking of it, when they abandoned one day of their test against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, didn't go unnoticed across the Tasman.
"I have a great relationship with Brendon and will always be grateful for the way he and his team respected the Hughes' tragedy."
Clarke is aiming to join Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting (twice) as an Australian World Cup-winning champion.
His confidence in his team is high.
"Mentally, we are ready ... . I believe if we play to our best we can beat New Zealand tomorrow."
And that sounded very Australian captain-like.
- By David Leggat in Melbourne
