Australia heightened their winning records of ICC Cricket World Cup clinching the title for the fifth time. The Aussies beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the final match of the eleventh season of the tournament at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Australia earlier won the trophy in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007. New Zealand were all out for 183 runs in 45 overs after their captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bat first in the final clash of this year`s tournament. In reply, Australia surpassed the target in 33.1 overs for only 3 wickets. Australia captain Michael Clarke and middle order batsman Steven Smith made 112-run partnership in the 3rd wicket after openers Aaron Finch and David Warner fell early while chasing the 184 run target. Finch was caught and bowled by New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult for a duck in the second over of their batting innings. Later Warner and Steven Smith made a 61-run partnership off 64 balls in the second wicket repairing the early loss. Warner scored 45 off 46 balls hitting 7 boundaries. Clarke scored 74 runs off 72 balls with 10 fours and a six. Smith was unbeaten on 56 off 71 balls. Earlier, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc bowled the opposition skipper Brendon McCullum for a duck at the 5th ball of the first over. The Black Caps lost their fist wicket for only 1 run. Later in the 12th over, Glenn Maxwell also bowled another opener Martin Guptill (15). In the very next over, Mitchell Johnson erased Kane Williamson (12). From the early jolt, Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor slowly repaired the damages and took the innings past hundred with a 111-run fourth wicket partnership. Elliot reached his 9th half-century on the last ball of 28th over hitting 3 fours and a six off 51 balls. But James Faulkner struck in the 36th over and broke the partnership claiming Taylor’s wicket. Faulkner also eliminated Corey Anderson for a duck in the 3rd delivery of the over. Taylor scored 40 off 72 balls hitting only 2 boundaries. In the next over, Starc claimed the wicket of Luke Ronchi who went for a duck. New Zealand lost 6th wicket for 151 runs in 36.2 overs. Elliott was eventually caught by Aussie wicketkeeper Haddin in the 5th delivery of 42th over bowled by Faulkner. The 36-year right-hand batsman scored 83 runs off 82 balls with 7 fours and one six. New Zealand lower order could not able to stretch the innings and the Black Caps were all out for 183 in 45 overs. Aussie fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner claimed three wickets each for 30 and 36 runs respectively. Besides, Mitchell Starc took two wickets for 20 while Glenn Maxwell 1 for 37. Australia bowler James Faulkner was given the man of the match award while another bowler Mitchell Starc was awarded man of the series for claiming 22 wickets in the tournament.
