Australia wins ICC Cricket World cup 2015
Mar 29, 2015 under Sports 351
Michael Clarke has ended his one-day international career in fairytale fashion, top-scoring with 74 in a seven-wicket thrashing of trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand to claim Australia’s fifth World Cup title at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The victory, achieved off the back off a ruthless performance by the home side’s outstanding fast-bowling group that saw New Zealand bowled out for 183 in 45 overs, cemented Australia’s status as ODI cricket’s pre-eminent nation; no other side has won the sport’s showpiece event more than twice, and this was indeed an exhibition of the home side’s superiority in every facet of the game.
Appearing in their first World Cup final, New Zealand looked lacklustre at times and nervy at others, as they slipped to 3-39 early on before a spectacular late collapse saw their final seven wickets fall for 33 runs.
Mitchell Johnson (3-30), James Faulkner (3-36) and Mitchell Starc (2-20) all claimed multiple wickets, before captain Clarke, Steve Smith (56 not out) and David Warner (45 off 46) completed a thoroughly professional display to see the competition heavyweights home with 16.5 overs to spare.
New Zealand’s semi-final hero Grant Elliott typified the fighting spirit that characterises both nations with a superb 83, but in truth it appeared as if the men in black had played their final five days earlier, when they defeated South Africa in thrilling circumstances in Auckland.
