Australia produced a five star performance to claim their 5th World Cup trophy, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday (March 29). (Full list of awards, statistics)
; World Cup Special; Match Report; Photos
In the final of ICC World Cup 2015, Australia crushed New Zealand by 7 wickets in a lopsided contest watched by a record 93,013 spectators at the stadium. New Zealand were bowled out for a paltry 183 and Australia romped home to victory with captain Michael Clarke top-scoring with 74 off 72 in his final ODI innings.
Here are all the updates of the match (All times in IST)
That is the end of a 44-day tournament. It began on February 14. 49 matches were played. Both Australia and New Zealand played on the opening day and won but on the final day, only one could end on the right side. The Kiwis were unbeaten till the final with 8 straight wins but could not make it 9.
4.13 PM: ICC chairman N Srinivasan hands over the World Cup trophy to Clarke. Celebrations begin
Clarke dedicates win to Phil Hughes
4.12 PM: We played this World Cup with 16 players. We dedicate this to my little brother (Phil Hughes): Clarke
4.11 PM: I am over the moon, says Australia captain Michael Clarke. Tonight has been extra special, he adds
4.06 PM: Tendulkar presents Man-of-the-tournament award to Mitchell Starc (22 wickets in 8 matches)
With 22 wickets, Mitchell Starc is the player of the tournament! #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/S8ULIZMNJb
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
4.03 PM: Faulkner is Man-of-the-match. He receives the award from Tendulkar
3.55 PM: Presentation time. ICC chairman N Srinivasan is booed by the MCG crowd. Sachin Tendulkar, who too is on the podium, receives huge cheers
3.42 PM: The celebrations
Let the celebrations begin! #cwc15 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/SVWIIJ5Tup
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
3.41 PM: It is a magical feeling, says David Warner talking to Shane Warne
We delivered on the biggest stage: Brad Haddin
3.35 PM: AUSTRALIA HAVE WON ICC WORLD CUP 2015. 5th trophy (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and now 2015). Steve Smith hits the winnings runs - a FOUR off Matt Henry. Australia 186/3 in 33.1 overs. New Zealand 183 all out in 45 overs
3.26 PM: WICKET - Clarke will not get a chance to hit the winning runs. He is bowled by Henry for 74 off 72. This is his final ODI innings. Few NZ players congratulate him as MCG applauds. Australia 175/3 in 31.1 overs. Just 9 runs to win now
3.19 PM: Just 27 more to win
3.16 PM: RECORD - The official attendance at MCG today - 93,013 - Biggest ever in Australia for a cricket match
3.03 PM: Clarke in control, hitting few boundaries. Australia need 50 to win from here from 24 overs
2.39 PM: 89 more to win for Australia. Just a formality now. 30 overs remaining
2.25 PM: Australia need 108 runs from 200 balls; score 76/2 after 16.4 overs
2.12 PM: Henry's delivery kisses the stamps but bails remain unmoved. Kiwi supporters disappointed. Aus 69/2 after 14.4 overs
2.04 PM: Huge reception from the crowd as Michael Clarke walks on to the ground for his final ODI innings
2.02 PM: WICKET - Warner (45) caught attempting a pull shot. Henry gets the wicket. Aus 63/2 in 12.2
1.57 PM: Warner and Smith scoring well here. Australia 58/1 in 11.2
1.48 PM: After 9 overs, Australia 49/1. Need 135 more to win
1.36 PM: Can history repeat?
Can New Zealand dare to dream? They can take inspiration from 1983 winners #Ind who also defended exactly 183 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/QQNnCsF98F
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
1.35 PM: Warner hits Southee for 3 consecutive fours in the 5th over. AUS now 33/1 in 5.2
1.29 PM: After four over, Australia 18/1
1.18 PM: WICKET - Finch out for a 5-ball duck. Boult gets him. AUS 2/1 in 1.4 overs. Steve Smith is the new man
1.10 PM: Players and umpires are back on the field. Australia need 184 to win the trophy. Finch and Warner are the openers. Southee to bowl
12.41 PM: Australia's World Cup winner Damien Martyn likens Maxwell's fielding to Ricky Ponting's and Brett Lee concurs
When @Gmaxi_32 fields it reminds me of the great Ricky Ponting.. Sensational @cricketworldcup #AUSvNZ #CWC2015
— Damien Martyn (@dmartyn30) March 29, 2015
“@dmartyn30: When @Gmaxi_32 fields it reminds me of the great Ricky Ponting.. Sensational @cricketworldcup #AUSvNZ #CWC2015” Spot on !
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) March 29, 2015
12.32 PM: Disappointing from New Zealand batsmen. But Australian pacemen were outstanding. Remember India scored and defended against West Indies to win by 43 runs. Can NZ do the same today?
12.26 PM: END OF INNINGS - NZ all out for 183 in 45 overs. Maxwell gets the final wicket with a run out. His direct hit has sent Southee back
12.23 PM: WICKET No. 9 - Johnson dismisses Matt Henry for a duck, fourth Kiwi to return without scoring. 182/9 in 44.5
12.22 PM: Watch how the crowd reacted to Taylor's dismissal earlier
Great crowd reaction to the OUT decision that sparked those quick 3 #NZ wickets here @MCG #NZ 157 for 6 #AUSvNZ https://t.co/n1B8dpsOAu
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
12.21 PM: NZ 181/8 in 44.1 overs. Can they get to 220?
12.10 PM: WICKET - Elliott (83) exits now. With that all hopes of NZ's 230+ have gone. Third wicket for Faulkner. NZ 171/8 in 41.5
12.05 PM: WICKET - Johnson gets Vettori (9) bowled. NZ 167/7 in 41
12.02 PM: NZ 165/6 in 40 overs. Batting powerplay 15/3. How many will they score in the final 10. Need to touch 230 to at least give some chance to their bowlers
11.57 AM: DRS TIME - LBW appeal turned down against Elliott off Faulkner. Clarke goes for DRS. They have gone with "Umpire's call". Pitched outside leg, clipping top of stumps. Dharmasena's decision stands
11.53 AM: NZ 157/6 in 38.1 overs. Starc into his 8th over. 2/18 so far
11.43 AM: WICKET - One more duck for NZ. 3 in total. This time Clarke takes a good catch at first slip to remove Luke Ronchi off Starc. He is now the leading wicket-taker with 22. NZ 151/6 in 36.2
11.42 AM: That was a double-wicket maiden by Faulkner
11.37 AM: WICKET - One gives to another. Faulkner now gets the big-hitting Corey Anderson bowled for a 2-ball duck. Australia back on top. NZ 150/5 in 35.3
11.33 AM: WICKET - Taylor (40) c Haddin b Faulkner. Not the ideal start for powerplay. NZ 150/4 in 35.1. The catch was referred to third umpire Marais Erasmus and replays confirm it is a clean catch
Great grab that! LIVE: http://t.co/AnGAEEqFQ3 #cwc15 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/Dc0mZMa98t
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 29, 2015
11.31 AM: 35 overs completed. NZ 150/3. Now, it is time for 5 overs of batting powerplay
11.27 AM: 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga is at the MCG, with his family
Watching the World Cup final at the MCG with the family. #AUSvNZ #CWC15 #CWC15Final pic.twitter.com/H0sxKM8wA9
— Arjuna Ranatunga (@ArjunaRanatunga) March 29, 2015
11.25 AM: 100-run partnership between Taylor and Elliott. Came together at 39/3 in 12.2. NZ 139/3 in 33.2
What a partnership under pressure from Elliott and Taylor! They've put on 100 - can they keep it going? #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/bci67y2a2K
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
11.20 AM: DRINKS BREAK - NZ 134/3 in 33 overs
11.16 AM: In 32 overs, NZ have scored 132/3. Taylor 34*, Elliott 61*
11.13 AM: After 30 overs, NZ 121/3. How many will they end up with?
11.10 AM: Elliott is only the 5th batsman to score 50+ in WC semi-final and final
50 in semi-final and final of WC in same year: M Brearley 1979, D Boon 1987, Javed Miandad 1992, A de Silva 1996, G Elliott 2015.
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) March 29, 2015
11.01 AM: FIFTY for Elliott. This is a good knock under pressure. Remember, he was the hero of the semi-final win over South Africa. Again, he has done well. Needs to carry on for a big one. NZ 115/3 in 28
10.55 AM: 100 up for NZ, in 26.2 overs. 3 wickets down
10.54 AM: Here is one of the stands at MCG. Photo by BG Mahesh
10.51 AM: Taylor and Elliott have rebuilt the innings. Half century partnership between the two. NZ 98/3 in 25.3 overs
10.37 AM: NZ captain McCullum has claimed an unwanted record
An unwanted record for the #NZ captain but can he still get his hands on the #cwc15 Trophy later today? #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/Fcclcc5VgC
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
10.31 AM: DRS TIME - Elliott (15) is given out LBW by Dharmasena, off Maxwell, but the batsman reviews. Replays show ball missing legstump. Decision reversed. NZ 66/3 in 20 overs
Not out! Elliot reviews an LBW & survives, Hawkeye shows the ball is missing, #NZ 66-3 http://t.co/tWPPrgxQ19 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/ipdaLY2lVZ
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
10.14 AM: DRINKS BREAK. NZ 51/3 in 16 overs
10.09 AM: Taylor and Grant Elliott have lot of work to do. NZ are 47/3 in 15 overs
9.57 AM: WICKET - Now Johnson gets Williamson (12) caught and bowled. NZ in trouble at 39/3 in 12.2
9.51 AM: WICKET - Glenn Maxwell comes on to bowl and strikes second ball. Guptill (15) bowled. NZ 33/2 in 11.2 overs
9.49 AM: Catch the highlights of opening 10 overs here
After 10 Overs #NZ had progressed to 31 for the loss of 1 Wicket, WATCH it here http://t.co/n9U5ukQ4ZH #AUSvNZ #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/ep08f0qRCw
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
9.48 AM: Bit of pressure for NZ. All through the World Cup, they averaged 77/2 in opening 10 overs. Today it has been poor, just 31/1. Nerves?
9.46 AM: End of mandatory powerplay. NZ 31/1 in 10 overs. The 1st 45 minutes have belonged to Australia
9.41 AM: Australia's new ball bowlers have kept the pressure on Kiwi batsmen. NZ 24/1 in 9 overs
9.23 AM: Guptill (545*) is now the highest scorer in this WC. He overtook Kumar Sangakkara (541). NZ 18/1 in 5 overs
9.21 AM: Video of players walking on to the ground earlier
Watch the players walk out together for the #cwc15 final! #AUSvNZ https://t.co/yXQXBeGWin
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
9.19 AM: SIX - First 6 of the match, top-edge from Guptill off Hazlewood goes behind the wicketkeeper and over the boundary. NZ 17/1 in 4.1
9.15 AM: This is how it was before start of play. All participating nations' flags on the ground as the players lined up for National Anthems
2 Overs Gone here and #NZ are 6 for 1, what an occasion we have here @MCG! http://t.co/XJXIEFcEPg #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/xQoMb7Jg1G
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
9.13 AM: Kane Williamson has joined Guptill. Starc continues. He is now joint highest wicket-taker with Trent Boult with 21 wickets. NZ 6/1 in 2.3
9.09 AM: Josh Hazlewood has taken the other new ball. NZ 1/1 in 1 over
"Brendon McCullum looked more nervous to me than Mitchell Starc," says Australia's former captain Mark Taylor
9.05 AM: WICKET - What a start for Australia. Starc gets McCullum bowled for a 3-ball DUCK. He looked nervous. NZ 1/1 in 0.4
9.01 AM: PLAY BEGINS. Martin Guptill faces the first ball of the final from Mitchell Starc. Kettleborough is the umpire at striker's end. 1st ball left alone
9.00 AM: Players and umpires are on the field. All set to play
8.59 AM: Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena has set a record by becoming the first person to be in a World Cup final as a player, in 1996 and an umpire today. England's Richard Kettleborough is the other on-field umpire
8.58 AM: We are done with the National Anthems. Just 2 minutes away from the action. Former Australian all-rounder and World Cup winner Tom Moody says first 10 overs will the key
@BLACKCAPS batting first, 1st 10 overs will tell us a huge amount. @CricketAus will go hard...pace, bounce & swing! #CWC15Final
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 29, 2015
8.49 AM: Spin legend Shane Warne reckons there will be a big score on this pitch. "Two great captains, two best teams," he says on the final
8.47 AM: So many numbers from the tournament. We are down to one last game
After 48 matches, 43 days, 24511 balls, 23162 runs, 702 wickets & 459 sixes...just two teams and one match remain...#CWC15 #AusvNZ #Aus #NZ
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 29, 2015
8.40 AM: Here are the Playing XIs
NZ: Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wicketkeeper), Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Matt Henry
AUS: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
No changes for either side. Here are the line-ups #CWC15 #fireitup #AusvNZ pic.twitter.com/wnfpVJixEt
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 29, 2015
#NZ has won the toss and will bat first in the World Cup final! LIVE: http://t.co/tWPPrgxQ19 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/H21dPGtUlT
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
And this is what we are here for! Who will be holding the trophy aloft tonight? #AUS or #NZ #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/sqgLzIFGvY
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 29, 2015
8.37 AM: Good toss to win for the Kiwis. Runs on the board always crucial in big games. Anything close to 300 or above will certainly test Australian batsmen. Both sides are unchanged from the semi-finals
8.30 AM: NEW ZEALAND HAVE WON THE TOSS AND CHOSEN TO BAT
"Wicket looks outstanding," said NZ captain Brendon McCullum. "It is going to be a great final," he added.
"The wicket looks fantastic. I would have batted," says Australia skipper Michael Clarke.
8.25 AM: We are just five minutes away from the toss. Do you remember, in the 2011 final, the coin toss had to take place twice in Mumbai with some confusion over the calling between captains MS Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara.
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