Australia has been crowned the ICC Cricket World Cup champions, for the fifth time in their history, beating rivals, New Zealand, by 7 wickets, in the final at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.

After losing the toss, the Aussies were put into field by New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum, on a pitch that looked great for batting. However, the Australians put immense pressure on the New Zealand batting line-up, picking up the crucial wicket of the Kiwis captain courtesy some brilliant swing bowling by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Mitchell Starc.


The Kiwis lost quick wickets before Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot steadied the ship and took the score to 150 for the loss of 3 wickets. James Faulkner bowled a 2-wicket maiden, taking crucial wickets of Taylor and Corey Anderson, while Elliot took up the role of a one-man Army, playing some beautiful cricketing shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. His efforts were all in vain, though, as wickets kept falling at the other end, before he, too, lost his wicket to James Faulkner, scoring 83 off 82 balls.

The Kiwis finished with a score of 183 all out, with 5 overs left. Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner took 3 wickets each, while Mitchell Starc took 2.

In reply, the Australians lost opener Aaron Finch, for 4 runs, and it looked as if the game could go down to the wire. However, the Australians took the initiative and David Warner thrashed the NZ bowling, scoring 45 off 46, before getting out. Steven Smith and retiring captain, Michael Clarke, kept the wickets intact and kept the scoreboard ticking.

Smith scored 54 runs, while Clarke, scored a well-constructed half century, scoring 74 runs. An Australia win never looked in doubt, as the Australians soon wrapped up the innings, winning by 7 wickets, and being crowned world cup champions for a record fifth time, giving Michael Clarke the best possible retirement gift.