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Cricket World Cup 2015 Final Australia v/s New Zealand: Clinical Australia lift cup for 5th time

Brilliant performance from Australia. They were deadly with the ball and exposed New Zealand's ordinary technique against great fast bowling. Then they batted coolly, showing everyone how batting-friendly this pitch really was. Clinical victory by 7 wickets.

Reported By:Pranav Joshi| Edited By: Pranav Joshi |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 08:40 PM IST

Cricket World Cup 2015 Final Australia v/s New Zealand: Clinical Australia lift cup for 5th time

16:14 IST Sunday, 29 March 2015

Michael Clarke takes the World Cup trophy from N Srinivasan and this is a picture you have seen again, and again and again. One more time. Australia really are a fabulous sporting side. It's time for a lap around the ground, and fireworks fly as the 2015 World Cup draws to a close.

Clarke is now on the podium. He says NZ were a tough team to beat all tournament. He thanks all the fans and supporters. He says 'we played this World Cup with 16 players', dedicating the win to Phillip Hughes.

All the Australian players get the medallions now. Huge cheers from the crowd.

Starc says NZ were great till the final but Australia really came out hard today. Starc says he kind of got lucky in the first over. Oh Brendon.

Mitchell Starc is the Man of the Tournament for his 22 wickets at 10.2. Tendulkar again to present the award.

Faulkner is humble about his own performance but praises his team to heaven. 

James Faulkner has been named the Man of the Match, and he receives the trophy at the hands of Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar will present the Man of the Match trophy to the deserving man!

McCullum doesn't want to talk about the first over, but says NZ came back into the game at 150/3. He praises Australia for coming back with 7/33 and their clinical performance. McCullum says he's not disappointed about playing the final in Melbourne after playing the whole tournament in New Zealand. He says he's proud of what NZ have achieved in this World Cup.

All the New Zealand players receive their medals.

The umpire first get their mementos.

It's time for the presentation. Srinivasan gets booed and Sachin Tendulkar gets cheered big.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant performance from Australia. They were deadly with the ball and exposed New Zealand's ordinary technique against great fast bowling. Then they batted coolly, showing everyone how batting-friendly this pitch really was. Clinical victory by 7 wickets. New Zealand were never ahead in the game, and they were in it only for about 20 overs in the middle. Ordinary, disappointing performance from the Kiwis after a great run to the final.

Over 34

FOUR. Smith flicks a good length ball through square leg and gets FOUR, Australia have won the World Cup! AGAIN.

Over 33

Smith scoops the ball down the ground and Australia run one. Think of two but the fielder's dive is good. Australia 182/3 after 33 overs.

Another good yorker, but its too late to bowl well actually. Kept out by Smith.

Yorker, Smith had no idea about it and played all around it.

Low full toss, played to the on side and midwicket shatters the stumps with the throw. But Watson is in, or no one cares to check.

Ball swings back into Watson, hits the pad and bat around the same time, no one cares to appeal or check. In all frankness it may have gone over.

Over 32

Smith drives through cover point for two and brings up his fifty! Australia 180/3 after 32 overs.

Waist high full toss and flicked away for two by Smith through midwicket. 6 more to win.

Pulled for one, 8 more to win.

Just outside off and defended down the ground.

Shane Watson is the new batsman.

OUT! Michael Clarke is bowled and NZ have some consolation. The game is gone but at least Clarke didn't end unbeaten. He gets a standing ovation as he goes off. Australia 175/3. Clarke made 74.

Henry comes into the attack and bowls a wide first ball.

Over 31

Dot ball last ball, Australia 174/2 after 31 overs.

Short, but slower, throat high, hit to long leg for one.

FOUR. Short ball, over off stump, Clarke jumps in the air and slams that ball through point for four.

FOUR. Short and wide again, Southee doesn't seem to care any more, and Clarke is finishing this game. Cut through cover point for four.

FOUR. This is a sad, boring final. Wide outside off and driven past the infield for four.

FOUR. Clarke pulls, and Australia get 4 closer to the target. It almost went for six.

Over 30

Yorker, Smith keeps it out. Boult finishes on 1/40 in the final. Good figures.

Single down to third man as Clarke cuts hard.

FOUR. Full toss outside off, placed beautifully through covers by Clarke.

Boult in his last over. Can he have one last flourish? One wicket to tie with Starc?

Just 33 more needed now.

Over 27

Oh. Just short of a diving Tim Southee at mid off. Smith was beaten by the turn but still went through with the shot. Australia 139/2.

50 for Michael Clarke, in the World Cup final and his last ODI match. Australia are well on their way to victory as well.

Clarke down the track, hits Vettori to deep midwicket for two.

Over 26

FOUR. Full and fast on middle, slammed down the ground for four. Great straight drive. Australia 134/2 after 26.

Fast ball, outside off and swings away, Clarke goes for the drive and doesn't connect, huge oooooh from the NZ fans in the crowd.

Fast and outside off, short as well, Clarke fails to connect the cut well, and is disappointed.

Trent Boult is back, NZ need a miracle. This is surely the last throw of the dice.

Over 25

SIX! Clarke shimmies down the ground and drives the ball for six over long off. Australia 130/2 after 25 overs.

Down the track and now Clarke plays it to deep midwicket for two.

Clarke takes a step down the track, Vettori bowls short and Clarke cuts to third man for one.

Over 24

The problem is that all of New Zealand's bowlers seem to be bowling at similar pace. Australia 119/2 after 24 overs.

Cover drive from Clarke and New Zealand have to put in a relay effort near the sweeper fence. Three runs.

Corey Anderson into the attack. Just to try something different.

Over 22

Australia 103/2 after 22 overs.

Clarke comes down the track to Vettori and hits over the infield down the ground. Out to long on for one.

Over 21

Clarke went for the pull but checked his shot. It's good that he did because the ball felt slightly short of a diving mid on. Australia 100/2.

100 comes up for Australia, seems very easy from hereon.

Henry continues. Very attacking field on the off side, but Clarke manages to split short point and short gully for one.

Over 20

Now Clarke comes down the track and drives to long on for one. AUS 98/2 after 20 overs.

Australia playing good defensive cricket against Vettori. 

Daniel Vettori comes back into the attack.

Over 19

Flicked to the on side, gets a single. NZ 95/2 after 19 overs.

FOUR. Slashed outside off, away from a diving second slip and into the fence.

FOUR. Short outside off and rises parallel to chest height, great late cut for four by Clarke. Over McCullum's head.

Driven through the covers and Smith runs three.

Over 18

Fast, short and chest high, Clarke pulls into the deep for two. Australia 83/2 after 18 overs.

FOUR. Driving length, Clarke goes after it, flies away to third man for four.

Clarke is using the damn final to get into form! Cool and collected, 4 off 18 in a World Cup final.

Pulled to deep midwicket for one run.

Southee comes around the wicket, Smith drives to mid off. No run.

Over 17

Australia 76/2 after 17 overs.

Good ball, rips in after pitching outside off, Clarke half-stops his cut shot, and for good reason.

Short, rises on Clarke but rises too high and it's called a wide.

There is a bit of sameness about this NZ bowling. Too many quicks who bowl the same way. Funny we should say it in a final.

Henry continues, Smith flicks it down to square leg for one.

Over 16

Smith gets a single to third man off the last ball. 74/2 after 16 overs. It's also the drinks break.

Defended down the ground and Clarke gets one.

Short ball this time, sails over the batsman's head. Another wide.

Wide. Clarke backs away, Southee bowls short but too wide outside off.

Smith flicks to the on side for one.

Tim Southee is back.

Over 15

Very aggressive close in field from McCullum. Clarke hits to a short point-like position last ball. 69/2.

Henry to Clarke, just outside off, and left alone.

Over 13

Michael Clarke is the new batsman. Australia 63/2 after 13 overs.

OUT! Short ball from Henry, gets too big on David Warner, who pulls awkwardly. The ball is caught well by deep midwicket, he had misjudged it at first but caught it low in the end.

Over 12

Australia 59/1 after 12 overs.

Full and swinging in, rapped on the pads again, huge appeal. But again, it was probably missing leg stump. NZ don't review.

Oh dear. Warner goes after a ball which is not too short. Gets an under edge which almost goes onto the stumps.

Boult continues, bowls on off and swinging a bit away, Warner drives to cover,

Over 10

Australia 56/1 after 10 overs.

Big appeal from Boult, the ball came back into Warner and rapped him on the pads, but would have gone down leg.

FOUR. Very full ball from Boult, driven through covers for four.

Over 9

Good ball, stopped on Warner and was good length on middle, Warner had to take his bottom hand off. Australia 49/1 after 9 overs.

FOUR. Matt Henry is the new bowler. Ball is short and Warner pulls without conviction. But the ball lands away from fine leg and into the boundary.

Over 8

Australia 45/1 after 8 overs.

Straight and fast, Warner defends.

Wide ball outside off, driven well by Smith, for two through covers.

Boult is still on. 

Over 7

3 off the over, Australia 41/1 after 7.

Daniel Vettori has been introduced.

Over 5

Southee has gone for 22 off 17 balls. Single off the last ball, 15 off the over, AUS 33/1 after 5.

FOUR. Edged and four! Warner fishes outside off, gets a big edge, which just flies past first slip for four. He'd just taken second slip out, McCullum.

FOUR. Short ball and Warner goes straight down the ground, doesn't get it fully but enough to get four.

Over 4

On the hips, wrong line and Warner gets two. AUS 17/1 after 4 overs.

Full, almost yorker length and Warner defends on the front foot down the ground.

FOUR. Slightly fuller outside off, Warner drives successfully for the first time. Very scenic shot.

Trent Boult again, on the hips, tucked away for two through midwicket.

Over 3

Quick single to end the over, AUS 9/1 after 3.

Short outside off, but Warner gets an under edge. No run.

Great timing from Warner, that was just a push down the ground. Two runs.

Yorker. But on leg stump, Warner flicks it away for two to long leg.

Wide outside off and Warner finds the gap through point for two.

There was HUGE swing on the Boult ball.

Over 2

Steve Smith is the new batsman. AUS 2/1 after 2 overs.

OUT! Finch is gone, slower ball from Boult, and Finch just hits it straight back to him. First break for NZ, Australia 2/1.

Into middle and leg, Warner plays it to mid on for one.

Another swing and a miss. Even wider, it was there for the whiplash shot but it also swung away.

Boult steams in, Warner swings hard outside off without feet, and he misses.

Over 1

Outside off, swings in, and Finch hangs his bat out. Beats him, oooohing from the bowler. Australia 1/0 after 1 over.

Outside off, left alone by Finch.

Swinging on leg, flicked to fine leg for one.

On off stump. Played down the ground for no run.

Southee to bowl.

183 on a batsman-friendly MCG wicket against an Aussie team looking like the champions of old? No way.

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Some incredibly good bowling from Australia, and some questionable shots from New Zealand see the Kiwis sink to 183 all out in 45 overs. It is really, really not enough in a World Cup final, batting first after winning the toss. Grant Elliott was the only one who stood out with an 82-ball 83. While he and Ross Taylor were going, NZ looked in with a chance. Taylor's wicket dramatically changed everything. NZ lost 7/33 in 10 overs. This should not be a very difficult target for Australia, but you never know with the Kiwis' bowling.

Over 45

OUT! Great throw from Maxwell, and Southee is run out at the non-striker's end. NZ are bowled out for 183.

Wide ball from Johnson, not for being short but for being outside leg. 

OUT! Low full toss, Henry is away from the ball, plays tamely to point. Gone. 9 down.

Johnson saw Southee moving away and bowled the slower one. Southee almost second-guessed it, slogged the short ball on middle for one.

Southee walks way outside off, tries to hoick Johnson into Auckland, but misses.

Over 43

Another searing short and quick ball, Henry sways away with his bat in the air like a periscope. NZ 177/8 after 43 overs.

Short quick ball, Henry backs away and tries a blind hook, misses.

Southee backs away, slaps a ball to long on for one.

SIX! Southee goes high down the ground, over long for six. He clears the #MCGsobig. Haven't seen this much from NZ today.

Over 42

OUT! Elliott is gone and NZ are done. Full outside off, Elliott swings across the line and gets an edge to the keeper. 83 off 82. NZ are almost on the flight back home here. This is way too less runs. 171/8.

Elliott goes for the pull again, but misses out. Perhaps it was a slightly slower ball.

FOUR. Short on off, waist high, front foot pull shot from Elliott over midwicket.

Over 41

OUT! Vettori is bowled. Full and straight, just shapes in a little and knocks back middle and leg. Hint of reverse swing. NZ 167/7 after 41 overs.

Driven in the air, point stops it but it trickles away and NZ get one.

Elliott plays a deliberate late cut again but the ball just ends up at first slip on the bounce.

Johnson is back. Australia are on song. They're killing NZ here.

Over 40

One off the last ball, NZ 165/6. 15 runs and 3 wickets in the powerplay. Devastation.

Vettori has suddenly played 17 balls. He's scored only 7 though.

FOUR. Great shot, finds the gap between short third man and gully.

That was close, Elliott was beaten by a ball coming back in. It hit him just above the knee roll on the back leg, and it was just flicking the side of the leg stump bail, on an Australian review. Since the original call was not out, it stayed not out. 

Over 38

Short ball, Vettori hooks uneasily, single off the last ball. NZ 157/6 after 38 overs.

FOUR, slightly straighter and Vettori drives straight down the ground for four.

Hit straight to short midwicket, no run.

Vettori plays down the wrong line and misses.

Vettori has huge problems with the movement around the sightscreen. This is taking lots of time.

Fast ball swinging in, raps Elliott on the pad, but its going down leg and NZ get a single. 50 overs seem very, very far away.

Over 37

Short ball, Vettori ducks, end of the over, NZ 151/6.

Driven to mid off, no run.

Daniel Vettori is the new man. This HAS to be his day. 

OUT! No feet, Ronchi drives outside off and first slip takes it! Big wicket in the game, NZ are in deep strife here. All of a sudden, in 7 balls.

Oh dear. Elliott didn't set off quickly, it was Ronchi's call. He was late and had it been a direct hit, Elliott was miles out.

Mitchell Starc comes back to choke NZ.

Over 36

Double wicket maiden, NZ 150/5 after 36.

Another yorker, to Ronchi first ball but he keeps it out. NZ's hopes of attacking in this powerplay are all gone. There's also a chance they might be bowled out.

Luke Ronchi comes back.

OUT! Corey Anderson is bowled, and NZ are back in trouble. Fast ball under the bat, Anderson plays all around it and is bowled clean. NZ 150/5

OUT! Ross Taylor is gone and his poor World Cup is over. Wide ball outside off, Taylor gets his bat in the way, bat hit ground and ball at the same time, Haddin took a good catch down low. The umpires check with the TV umpire, the edge is clean, the catch is fine and Taylor is gone for 40 off 72 balls. NZ 150/4, wicket at the wrong time.

Over 35

Down the track but hit straight to midwicket. NZ 150/3 after 35 overs.

FOUR. Oh dear. That would have been a brilliant catch. Comes onto the bat at waist height.  Elliott plays a late cut, times it well but just wide of a desperate, diving Haddin. 

Taylor slashes hard outside off, stopped well at point and almost another run out!

Short ball, pulled and another top edge. Flies to fine leg and NZ get two.

Oh dear. Ross Taylor hits straight to midwicket, sets off, then calls NO, Elliott just about manages to get back in time for Clarke's throw.

Wide ball first up from Watson.

Over 34

Taylor gets an inside edge, searches for the ball for a second, finds it and then sets off for a quick single, with success. NZ 142/3 after 34 overs.

Slashed hard, ball takes the edge and flies close to third man but drops well short.

Taylor uses the pace to cut, another single.

Short outside off, slammed hard, but just a single. 100 run partnership up.

FOUR. Josh Hazlewood comes back, and gets cut late past the keeper for four by Elliott.

Over 33

Single to third man for one, NZ 134/3, it's drinks.

Pushed into the on side and Taylor is quick for one, but that is all he will get.

Short ball, Taylor ducks, no hurry yet.

Three dot balls to Ross Taylor, will he lose his head now?

Shane Watson comes back. 3 overs removed from the powerplay.

Over 32

Six off the over, 132/3.

Single down the ground from Ross, 4 off 4 so far.

Elliott chips Maxwell over extra cover for two

Over 30

Three off he Maxwell over, NZ 121/3.

Over 29

Elliott drives outside off without feet and the ball flies to third man for one. NZ 118/3 after 29.

Run down to third man for one, Taylor 30 off 51.

Oh, and Mitch has returned. Australia need a wicket, probably Grant Elliott more than Taylor.

Ross Taylor is hitting the ball well but still finding the fielders.

Over 28

Elliott reaches his fifty, in a pressure situation in a final. The ball was the slower one, outside off, and Elliott played it in the air. Lands well short of mid off and Elliott has made a fluent fifty. NZ 115/3, 7 off the over.

6 off 5 balls so far

Now Elliott dabs to short third man and NZ run a good quick single.

Swept by Ross Taylor for one.

Maxwell back into the attack.

Over 27

Good fielding, Elliott deliberately slashes hard at a good length ball well outside off. Brilliantly stopped by third man, it was flying to the fence. NZ 108/3 after 27 overs.

Cut to third man for one. NZ are getting into some kind of comfort zone. What can Aussies do?

Wide ball, too short, Ross ducks but actually it would have sailed over his head even if he hadn't.

Defended straight down the ground.

FOUR. Outside edge from Ross Taylor, no slip and the ball flies for four.

Single to third man, 100 up in the 27th over. Decent recovery from 39/3, but they need to go on.

Watson continues.

Over 26

Dot ball last, NZ 99/3 after 26 overs.

Good comeback, short but close to off, Elliott misses with a difficult late cut.

FOUR. Big stride forward from Elliott, and he crashes the ball through covers. It rushed to the #MCGsobig fence in a trice.

Over 25

Short outside off again, Elliott cuts, the ball flies over point, he really jumped hard and threw out his hand. Out to long leg for two. NZ 93/3.

Crashed through point, the sweeper cover has to first run to his left and then back across, but he does well. Two runs.

Shane Watson has come into the attack. Australia have so much variety.

Over 23

Swing outside off, Elliott leaves. NZ 83/3 after 23 overs.

YORKER, right on middle, fast, and Elliott does well to keep it out. Really, really well.

SIX! Top edge goes for six again. Pace and bounce from Starc, Grant Elliott plays a wild swivel pull, gets a top edge and into the fence.

Over 22

Good batting from NZ off this over. 77/3 after 22.

FOUR. Short from Maxwell, cut away wide of point for four.

Over 21

Full ball on off, Elliott drives, beats cover but #MCGsobig means the ball is stopped before it reaches the fence. Two runs. NZ 70/3 after 21 overs.

Mitchell Starc is back. Almost demonic opportunism from Michael Clarke here. You give it not out, we bring back a 9-average bowler.

Over 20

NOT OUT. Elliott swept, the ball just moved in a fraction and struck him on the front pad. Australia go up in appeal and after a long while, the umpire gives it out. NZ review. Pitching outside off, no bat, but missing leg stump by some distance! Elliott is saved, for now. NZ 66/3.

Taylor sweeps this time, to fine leg for one.

Reverse sweep from Elliott, and off the back off the bat! Not timed well but NZ get two.

Maxwell.

Over 19

Three runs off the over so far. None off the last, NZ 62/3 after 19 overs.

Great run from Taylor, dabs to mid off and sets off, sharp throw but doesn't hit the stumps.

James Faulkner to bowl

Over 18

Outside off, Elliot drives and then stops his shot, Haddin flicks off the bails but Elliott was fine. NZ 59/3 after 18 overs.

Driven down the ground for Ross Taylor.

Maxwell is back.

Over 16

Played down to third man for one. NZ 51/3 and its drinks.

Good shot from Taylor, on off stump and plays through midwicket. two runs, 50 up for NZ.

Can Australia get another before drinks?

Over 15

NZ 47/3 after 15 overs.

Elliott drives through the off side and gets two. NZ 

Three runs. Cover drive from Taylor, perfectly done, brilliant shot.

Over 14

Taylor plays and misses, maiden over. NZ 41/3.

No run off three balls, though Taylor gets all three in the middle off the bat.

Over 13

Ross Taylor drives outside off, hits point but gets a single. NZ 41/3

Grant Elliott, hero of the semifinal, comes in. If he gets out, the game could be over quickly now.

OUT! Slower ball on middle, Williamson plays early, and straight back to Johnson!

On the hips and tucked away for two to long leg.

Over 12

Good fielding in the covers, NZ 38/2 after 12

FOUR. Juicy full toss outside off and Taylor drives wide of mid off for four.

Ross Taylor is the new batsman. This is his day now. It's everything.

OUT! Guptill is gone, short length but spinning on off, Guptill backs away and tries to drive on the backfoot, and the ball meets his off stump. 

Short and wide, batsman slaps hard but straight to point.

Glenn Maxwell comes into the attack.

Over 10

Now a single to third man and NZ are starting to purr again. NZ 31/1 after 10.

Two runs, short ball from Hazlewood and Williamson pulls to long leg.

FOUR. Good shot by Williamson, between good length and half-volley, he drives past mid off for four.

Kane drives down the ground but stopped by the bowler.

Over 9

One run from the over, off a wide. NZ 24/1.

Wide ball, as Johnson's line goes awry outside leg. NZ are stuck here.

Short ball, climbs into Guptill's chest, he fends it loosely. Great first delivery.

Mitchell Johnson, first change.

Over 8

On the pads, Williamson is struggling, can't get it away. Maiden over, NZ 23/1.

Deadly short ball from Hazlewood, Williamson arches back as much as his body can allow, and the ball cuts the space where Williamson would have been!

Over 7

NZ 23/1 after 7 overs.

Late swing outside off from Starc, stays low as it reaches Haddin.

Fuller length on middle, Guptill drives but finds a diving Mitchell Johnson at mid on.

Full ball just outside off, Guptill drives but misses. They key is that it didn't swing back because of the differing seam position.

Short ball, Guptill ducks and its called a wide.

Over 6

First confident shot from Williamson, on the pads and he flicks it for two through square leg. NZ 22/1 after 6 overs.

Single to third man, not an edge this time. Williamson back on strike.

Edged, down to third man for a single.

Williamson misses out on a good length ball on the pads. 1 off 14.

Over 5

In the air, wide of David Warner at backward point! NZ 18/1 after 5 overs.

Short ball, doesn't rise, Williamson ducks and sways.

Another ball outside off, good length, closer to the stumps, and Williamson hangs his bat out.

Williamson drives outside off, no feet and misses. 

Over 4

NZ 17/1 after 4 overs

SIX! Short ball, fast, Guptill hooks and gets a top edge, flies for six behind the wicket! #MCGsobig

Slightly short outside off, Guptill can't beat a diving cover point and point, both wanted to stop it.

Over 3

Tucked away for a single, NZ 11/1 after 3 overs.

Searing short ball, Guptill sways out of the way with haste. Would have got him in the chin otherwise.

FOUR. Great shot from Guptill, drives through covers, splits cover and point, easy four. Even if the #MCGsobig

Huge LBW appeal, Starc brings the ball in again from a fullish length, but there was an inside egde onto pad.

Over 2

Outside off, left alone, NZ 6/1 after 2 overs.

Good return ball, straight on off and defended to off. 

FOUR LEG BYES. Hazlewood goes off line, on leg and away for four byes.

There is a fine line between being cool and being foolish. McCullum crossed it today.

Over 1

New Zealand 1/1 after 1 over.

OUT! McCullum is gone, huge strike for Australia. Full ball on off, comes back in and McCullum was all around with the shot. McCullum is gone without scoring, NZ 1/1.

Down the track, McCullum gives room, Starc follows him and misses again.

Swing and a miss. Full, swings in just a touch, McCullum with a huge bat swing straight down the ground, very close to off stump as well.

First runs for NZ, to third man, beats point. Huge cheer at the ground.

Outside off and Guptill leaves with ease. Good ball, good leave.

Mitchell Starc to Martin Guptill

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5........1

McCullum and Guptill come out to bat. Huge cheer around the MCG. Strong support for New Zealand.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8:48 IST Sunday, 29 March 2015

The pitch is rock hard, and the outfield is lightning fast says Shane Warne. He says the average score batting first in 290. Clear sunny skies.


8:30 IST Sunday, 29 March 2015

It's time for the toss. Brendon McCullum calls heads and it's heads. New Zealand win the toss and will bat first

7:47 IST Sunday, 29 March 2015

#MCGsobig has produced some really funny tweets over the days. Here's a nice collection. Mind you it's still kind of trending.

6:45 IST Sunday, 29 March 2015

Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand, to be held in Melbourne. The match will begin at 9 am IST.

We have come to the last game of a six-week long tournament. New Zealand and Australia have reached the finals after playing some outstanding cricket. So outstanding have been their performances that when these two sides met in a league match, New Zealand bowled Australia out for 151 and Australia took 9 wickets before a six finished off the game. Thus, we are certainly looking at the two best teams in the competition, in a grand finale.

New Zealand have been unbeaten in all of their 8 games so far, and challenged only by Australia in the league stage and South Africa in the semifinal. Australia on the other hand have laid waste to all opposition with the exception of the Kiwis. It couldn't get closer than this. Here's the match preview

Truth be told, one hopes it gets really close, because New Zealand will be playing for the first time on an Australian wicket, having played all their games in New Zealand. Melbourne is a huge ground, one of the biggest in the world and it will take some long hits to clear the fence. Moreover, the Kiwis have rarely played in Australia in six years, so the Kangaroos go in as favourites to lift the trophy for a fifth time. But New Zealand have no fear.

For both teams, there are several motivations to win the big finale, apart from the lure of being World Champions. For Australia, there is the retirement of Michael Clarke, which he announced on Saturday. Then there is the death of Phillip Hughes on a Sydney pitch last November.

For New Zealand, this is the first World Cup final and a chance they must not let go abegging. Then there is the terminal illness of legend Martin Crowe, and the retirement of Daniel Vettori. Emotion plays as much a role in this final as hard skills, though Michael Clarke thinks otherwise.

Michael Clarke though is emotional when he thinks teammates' opinions are the most important to judge his legacy. 

Speaking of emotion, Brendon McCullum has asked Indian fans to support his team enthusiastically in the final, in a letter. He also thinks New Zealand have a 50-50 chance.

Martin Crowe for his part has written a moving tribute to his Black Caps team.

The banter was consistent ahead of the final, with both teams' players chirping in. For example, here's Tim Southee's take, and here's the legend Richard Hadlee.

Here are the key match-ups which will decide the final, according to us at dnaindia.com.

Also, here is some trivia from the World Cup 2015, before the final.

For complete coverage of the World Cup, you can visit dnaindia.com's special page here.

LIVE COVERAGE

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