The Final - ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 [29 March 2015]

Clarke and McCullum with the Coveted trophy

                                                                              Mind blowing Melbourne Cricket Ground was all set for a Grand Finale to what was a fabulous World Cup;World Cup which certainly rose above expectations with scintillating performances not only from the full member nations but also from the associate member nations.The final was a clash between two charismatic sides of the tournament and not to forget between two co-hosts as well.Michael Clarke's announcement of retirement from ODI's just the day before the final had already spiced up the contest and two dynamic blokes in McCullum and Clarke leading their respective sides meant a mouth-watering clash at the 'G'.
                                                                   NZ won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.All eyes were on McCullum and how he would carry himself on the field.

Turning Point of the Match

All of New Zealand was hoping against hope and expecting McCullum to fire at the top for one last time in this World Cup. Australia,too knowing what could come their way had their task cut out. Mitchell Starc had the new ball in his hand and after  a couple of narrow misses, cleaned up McCullum's off-stump in the very first over of the World Cup final and that led to a huge roar from the massive MCG crowd as the men in green and gold were jubilant to see the back of the big fish.Kane Williamson ,who came in at No. 3 joined Guptill and had a huge responsibility to calm down the nerves within the black caps dressing room following the downfall of McCullum.

But it was not going to be easy as Australian bowlers Starc, Hazlewood and Johnson were steaming in and made life difficult for the kiwis in the middle.Australia's bowling effort in the mandatory Powerplay was so disciplined that NZ who averaged 77 in first 10 Overs up till now managed only 31 runs this time around.Though the scoring was slow, Guptill and Williamson had withered the early storm and were looking for some respite as Maxwell came to bowl in the 12th over.But, instead of any respite,just on the 2nd delivery of the over,Guptill played down the wrong line and was bowled to reduce NZ to 33/2.Next man to go was Kane Williamson,caught and bowled to Johnson and NZ were tottering  down the barrel at 3 down for 39.Semi-final hero Grant Elliott joined Taylor as both of them had a massive task of rebuilding the innings for NZ.Elliott was good while Taylor who didn't had the best of the World Cups was trying desperately and run-by-run ,ball-by-ball was stitching a steady partnership with Elliott.Elliott, who tried to sweep Maxwell was adjudged LBW by umpire Dharmasena, but, when he reviewed it,hawk-eye showed that the ball was clearly missing the stumps and Elliott survived the scare.Following the review, Elliott started to find his feet and runs started to come for NZ at a fair clip. Clarke brought back Starc for his second spell in search of a wicket and continued to persist with his aggressive field set up.NZ played him well as Taylor and Elliott completed their 50-run stand .Runs started to come easily by then as New Zealand posted 100 on the board by the end of 27th over.Elliott started to score briskly as he brought up his 2nd consecutive half century and found an able ally in Taylor.NZ, who were struggling in the initial phase of the innings had consolidated brilliantly in the middle overs as Taylor and Elliott completed their 100 run partnership and both of them were looking in good shape to end the black caps innings on a high.By the end of 35th over, NZ were 3/150 and it was time for some action as batting Powerplay was taken. Powerplay specialist Faulkner was back int bowling attack and Oh boy what a start it was for batting Poweplay!Taylor out as Haddin grabbed a neat low catch.Corey Anderson just lasted for two balls as he was cleaned up by a special James Faulkner yorker. Next man in was Australian-born Wicket-Keeper Batsman Luke Ronchi and just like Anderson,he too didn't trouble the scorers as he was caught in slips off Mitchell Starc's bowling.Three quick wickets turned the match on it's head as Australia came back strongly with NZ in deep trouble at 151/6.Batting Powerplay turned out to be a disaster for New Zealand as only 15 runs were scored at the loss of 3 wickets.Clarke brought back Johnson and he didn't disappoint his skipper as he got rid of veteran Vettori just for 9.In the very next over,it was almost curtains over NZ's batting as their last hope Elliott too made a long way back to the pavilion for well-made 83 and once again,the destroyer was Faulkner.With the score of 171/8  at the end of 41st over ,New Zealand's tail enders Southee and Henry were at the crease.They barely managed to add 11 runs as Johnson dismissed Henry in an effective,though, not a convincing way.Soon,Souhee was ran out by a brilliant piece of fielding by Maxwell and New Zealand's innings folded at 183,co-incidentally, same number of runs as managed by India in 1983 World Cup final batting first. 
                                                                                    184 runs to win the World Cup final;Australia would have  certainly taken that at the start of the match.Target wasn't big ,but still a lot of work was to be done and with a fighting captain like McCullum in opposition ranks,Australia knew what could come their way.NZ certainly needed early wickets and they got one of Finch as Australia got off to a dodgy start.Man of the summer for Australia, Steve Smith joined Warner and that gave Warner the license to free his arms.Warner's counterattacking play meant runs were coming thick and fast and that settled the initial jitters within the Aussie camp .By the time the first powerplay ended,Australia had already raced to 56/1 and Smith was complimenting Warner brilliantly as they completed their 50-run partnership.Warner,who was stroking the ball amazingly well was induced into a false shot off Henry's rising delivery as he hold out to deep square leg, man specifically stationed for that kind of shot.Warner departed for well-made 45 and his exit brought Michael Clarke to the centre. Michael Clarke came out to bat for one final time in ODI's to a huge ovation from jam-packed MCG crowd.Clarke got off to a slow and sluggish start and Warner's dismissal dried up the free flow of runs for Australia.After some quite overs, Clarke and Smith got their act together and Clarke, in particular was looking ominous.Australia registered 100 on the board by the end of 21st over and by the half way stage ,they were cruising at 130/2 ,needing only 54 more runs to win.McCullum brought back his strike bowler Boult as a last throw of the dice.But,Boult's and half-fit Vettori's inability to take wickets meant there were no hiccups in the run-chase.In the meanwhile,

Clarke Scores 74 in his final ODI Innings

Clarke got to his half-century in his final ODI innings and was well appreciated by the record attendance at MCG.By the time Clarke got out for 74,Australia was in touching distance of victory as he bid adieu to one-dayers with a fairy tale end.Watson joined Smith to complete the last rites .Smith too completed his fifty,fifth for him in this World Cup.

Winning Moment

And then came the moment,Australia requiring 2 runs to victory,Smith pulled the first delivery of 33rd over to boundary ropes to give Australia their 5th World Cup title and there was massive jubilation within the home crowd as this was their first World cup win on their home soil imitating India's feat which they achieved four years ago at Mumbai.

Australia celebrate their 5th World Cup win

SCORES:
New Zealand     183
Elliott       83                                                                                  Johnson       3-30
Taylor      40                                                                                  Faulkner      3-36  

Australia            186/3
Clarke       74                                                                                 Henry          2-46                    
Smith         56*                                                                              Boult            1-40                                     
Australia Won by  7 Wickets.