Australia have won the World Cup for a record 5th time by beating co-hosts New Zealand.
Australia 186/3 (33.1ovs) (Clarke 74, Smith 56*) BEAT New Zealand 183 a.o.(45ovs) (Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36) by 7 wickets
What a way to send Michael Clarke into odi retirement, and for Phil Hughes. Starc was absolutely sensational, all tournament he has been outstanding but yesterday he turned it up a notch again. By bowling McCullum in the third ball of the match, showed why Australia were astute and assertive.
Right from the off, Australia were on top but they did have their bit off luck, thrice actually. Firstly it was Vettori who got injured and could only gingerly bowl five overs. In the group match, Vettori had dominated the Australian batsmen but today it wasn’t meant to be. Second was when Warner went for his counter attack after the Finch wicket, ball before McCullum moved out the second slip fielder and the next ball where does the ball go? The final nail in the coffin, Matt Henry’s delivery which sneaked onto the stumps but like Misbah and Joyce his stumps did not dislodge. Smith went on to make 56 not out.
Records
Top Run Scorer
1. Martin Guptill – 547 runs
2. Kumar Sangakarra – 541 runs
3. AB DeVilliers – 482 runs
Highest Individual Scores
1. Martin Guptill – 237 not out
2. Chris Gayle – 215
3. David Warner – 178
Best Bowling Figures
1. Tim Southee 7/33 v England
2. Mitchell Starc 6/28 v New Zealand
3. Trent Boult 5/27 v Australia
Top Wicket Taker
1. Mitchell Starc – 22 wickets
2. Trent Boult – 22 wickets
3. Umesh Yadav – 18 wickets
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