Summary New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bat against Australia.
MELBOURNE (Dunya News, Web Desk) - And the champions lift the World Cup for the fifth time. DunyaNews.tv congratulates the Australian side.
Mitchell Starc took 22 wickets in the World Cup that was dominated by the batsmen. He was declared the Man of the WorldCup2015.
James Faulkner took three wickets at crucial moments to get New Zealand out for that meagre total. He was awarded the Man of the Final award for this brilliant performance at such a massive event.
What a joyous moment this must have been. It s been ages Pakistanis felt that..
Winning Moment: #ShaneWatson & #SteveSmith celebrates victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final. #AUSvNZ #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/ei7O5VJCKa
— AmMaD (@AmmadZahid) March 29, 2015
Wahab Riaz was seen clapping for the Aussies on Twitter. 
Australia K liye Taaalia n - pic.twitter.com/7Y57wY77nU
— Malik Waheed Ahmed (@ruthlessawan) March 29, 2015
Two of the greatest cricket players New Zealand ever produced, Brandon McCullum and Daniel Vettori, also saying Good Bye to cricket today.
Tough loss for @BLACKCAPS but NZ is proud of you no matter what! An amazing effort! #blackcapsproud #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/wqaNk6bG55
— shapeshifternz (@shapeshifternz) March 29, 2015
Celebrations really were awesome before the biggest Cricket crowd ever in a World Cup final.
"@cricketworldcup: That winning feeling! The MCG is alive with it! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/hdCkBhYm2i"
— Will miss u Zayn : ( (@ShahidGirl1) March 29, 2015
And yes, Jon Snow knows that at least. Australia certainly is the rightful king of Cricket. 5 title wins now. 1987 > 1999 > 2003 > 2007 > 2015.
Bend your knee to Australia, the rightful King of Cricket. #CWC15
— Jon Snow (@JonSnowBastrd) March 29, 2015
Shane Watson and Steven Smith enjoy the victory.
Aussie players ran towards the ground to brace the batsmen as Smith struck the final boundary.
Darren Lehmann gets a taste of celebrations.
Celebrations begin!!!!
And that s it! Australia have done it again. Smith hooks that one for a boundary and Aussies become the World Champions yet again.
33 overs: Australia will make us wait a little longer. They now need just 2 runs to get the World Cup for the fifth time.
New Zealand captain Brandon McCullum honors his Australian counterpart. Shakes hands with the cricketing great.
This is how you give someone a send-off. #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/2KJ9k0NXEx
— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) March 29, 2015
That was a fantastic innings to end his career at a very high note. Great player, great moment! Good Bye Michael Clarke!
OHHHH!!! That s OUT! Clarke goes. And that s the end of a fantastic career. He scored 74 off 72. But he ll take away the World Cup anyways. What a batsman!
Three boundaries of three balls. Clarke is loving it here. He is 73 off 70 balls now. He is living in boundaries.
Michael Clarke finishing his OneDay career on a very high note: Winning captain of #WCC15 #NZvAUS
— NAEEM (@SportLover2014) March 29, 2015 30 overs: Smith and Clarke continue to bombard. Australia now just 26 runs behind the target.
This tweet proves that it is not just Pakistan that cricket unites. New Zealand is no different.
Happy just to have had almost the whole country united and excited about the same thing these last few weeks. #NZvAUS
— Jesse Mulligan (@JesseMulligan) March 29, 2015
Michale Clarke reached his 50 and was given a rich applause by the crowd. He is going off in style.
27 overs: Australia are 139 for 2 and people are now just waiting for the game to end.
They look in a hurry. That SIX by Clarke took him to 43 and Aussies to 130.
Really need another collapse of 8/26 here. #NZvAUS
— Matt Nippert (@MattNippert) March 29, 2015 24 overs: This might end up before the 35th over. Australia are 119 for 2. Bad news for Aussies: They won t get a bonus point no matter how quick they are in this chase.
Selfie fever has been one of the key features of this World Cup. This time, however, it wasn t Ahmed Shehzad but the commentators.
HUNDRED UP for the Aussies. Just 84 more runs required and they still have 29 overs left. This is as easy as it can get now for the Aussies.
Look at the MCG crowd. They would ve wanted to be a part of a better final to tell their kids about. Now they re just bored. #AUSvsNZ
— P. (@Parasetamol_) March 29, 2015 21 overs: Australia are now 100 for 2 after 21 overs and cruising along nicely with Clarke and Smith making it look quite easy.
Kiwis were brilliant at their home grounds but in the bigger grounds, their batting seemed exposed.
Bwahahahsha :D Difference between Australian n NewZealand Grounds #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/Gi1JpKTMqB
— Quratulain (@Quratulain_110) March 29, 2015 18 overs: Even edges are going for 4. Nothing s working for New Zealand bowlers. 83 for 2 now.
Ball had hit the wicket but the bails remained unmoved. Smith has plenty of luck while Kiwis seem to have none.
Steve Smith hahaha the guy is brilliant as well as lucky #AUSvNZ
— Nils Sigurdsson (@Yes_IamSancho) March 29, 2015 15 overs: Australia are now 69 for 2 and New Zealand need a bit of luck to get into the game now.
Highly unlikely that one would ever come out with an easy preditction like that one...
I ve a feeling Australia is going to win without losing many wickets. That s how strong they are. #NZvsAUS"
— Humaira Mahar (@HumairaMahar) March 29, 2015
Crowd gave a warm welcome to the skipper Michael Clarke as he walked in for the final team in an ODI.
That was a poor shot by Warner anyways. He exercised absolutely no control over that shot.
Did not get onto that at all did Davey. Bat turned in his hands. AUS 2/63 #CWC15
— Digital Harrigan (@Davis_Harr) March 29, 2015
Finally Kiwis have a wicket.
And that s what we are a talkin about @BLACKCAPS lets be having some more of that. #NZvsAUS
— New Zealand (@newzealand) March 29, 2015
OUT! Australian have lost their second wicket as David Warner skied one by Matt Henry trying to pull it. Elliott took that inches off the ground though it was a simple one. Australia are now 63 for 2.
12 overs: 59 for 1. New Zealand are trying to pull back the run rate. They need to understand they have no chance without getting wickets. They can t hold back Aussies from scoring 185 off 50 overs.
Indians too missing Proteas now.
NZ is surrrending !!! Please guys don t cry after d match ! U guys r not even fighting back ! SA deserve to be in final than u guys #NZvAUS
— #BleedBlue (@divya532) March 29, 2015 9 overs: After 9 overs, Aussie are 49 for 1. These 3 overs were a bit less explosive.
Pakistani fans are predominantly supporting the Kiwi side today. And their side doesn t seem to be working. This may well remind them of the 99 final when Pakistan seemed favorites before the final and had beaten Aussies in the league match but had lost miserably in the final to the same.
99 k World Cup mein bhi aisa hi hua tha....... :/ #AUSvNZ
— Ali Xaidi (@ali_raa) March 29, 2015
New Zealand need wickets. There s no doubt about that at least.
If they do not remedy this with 3-4 quick wickets, @BLACKCAPS can forget all about winning the #CWC15Final. #NZvAUS
— Colossus (@mmohita) March 29, 2015
There can t be a better similey...
Steven smith looks like the college headboy and warner, the class bully #NZvAUS
— Iyeronical (@LosingMotion) March 29, 2015 6 overs: Australian have taken the attack to the Kiwis. They are hitting everything lose towards the boundary and now they are 38 for 1 after 6 overs, far ahead of the required run rate.
Aussies have taken the game on to the Kiwis despite losing Finch early on. Warner played a glorious cover drive and the Aussie crowd enjoyed it to the full.
That was just milimeters away from Brandon McCullum s left hand. Warner had edged one outside the off stump in his bid to go hard at the Kiwis but that went just wide of the second slip.
Crowd is loving this contest.
Amazing atmosphere, crowd chanting Kiwi, Kiwi... #Aus responding with Aussie Aussie Aussie #Aus 9 for 1 http://t.co/XJXIEFcEPg #AUSvNZ
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
Austrlia seem to be a bit shaky at the start here. This may well turn out to be a crispy contest still.
3 overs: Australia are 9 for the loss of 1 wicket after 3 overs.
OUT! Boult to Finch, Caught and bowled. Early wicket of Australia falls. Finch gone for a duck. Aus on 2-1.
Match resumed, Aussies on the ground of Melbourne.
New Zealand, all out on 183 runs setting target of 184 runs for Australia in the final of World Cup 2015. New Zealand had played with enthusiasm but somehow failed to post maximum runs on the score board. Now its Australia s turn.
OUT! Johnson to Boult, out Southee Run Out!! Southee (11) run out.
OUT! Johnson to Matt Henry, Caught by Starc! gone for a duck.
NZ should play the coming overs like its a test match. Frustrate the bowlers, wait for the right balls. #AUSvNZ
— Adam Micolich (@ad_mico) March 29, 2015 Overs 42: New Zealand lost its prominent batsmen on 171-8.
This has been brutal fast bowling from the Aussie seamers. NZ need 250 to even hope of being competitive... Not a hope now #AUSvNZ
— Becky Hart (@BeckyFlashHart) March 29, 2015 OUT! Faulkner to Elliott, Caught by Haddin. Elliot gone by playing stunning innings of 83 scores.
OUT! Vettori (9) off Johnson ball. New Zealand on 167-7.
A yorker from hell. Vettori departs. Johnson strikes. #AUSvNZ
— Bay Harbor Butcher (@The_Sahir) March 29, 2015 Overs 39: New Zealand were on 159-6 with Elliot on 73 and Vettori on 7 scores.
Fans become depress over New Zealand s performance
Wot a phuss final #AUSvNZ
— Harry (@haristein) March 29, 2015
Game over, I ll venture to say. Yet another one-sided cricket world cup final. What a disappointment.
— Anirban Sen (@ASenjourno) March 29, 2015 OUT! Starc to Ronchi,! Caught!! gone for a duck. New Zealand under pressure.
Overs 36: New Zealand shown embarrasing batting, made 150-5.
The match has turned in 3 balls #AUSvNZ
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) March 29, 2015 ALAS! New Zealand lost its fifth wicket as well. Faulkner to Corey Anderson, OUT! bowled. Anderson gone for a duck.
This a typical one sided final as always. Australian thaktay nahi WC jeet jeet k. #CWC15Final #NZvAUS
— Sania Ashiq (@Saniyaashiq) March 29, 2015
OUT! Faulkner to Ross Taylor (40), out Caught by Haddin. New Zealand were on 150-4.
Don t worry Nz, Faulkner mein bus wahab ki rooh a gae the #AUSvNZ
— Tangoo ~ (@Adeel_Says) March 29, 2015 Overs 33: New Zealand on 134-3 off 33 overs with Elliot outstanding performance of 62 runs.
These singles will take the New Zealanders far #NzvAus #cwc15Final
— Chinemo Elias (@EliasChinemo) March 29, 2015 Overs 30: New Zealand have shown stable play with a score of 131-3
Cricket lovers start appreciating Elliot over his fifty!
Well played, Elliott. And that s an understatement! #CWC15 #AuzvNZ
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 29, 2015
Really good 50 from Elliot still long way to go #AUSvNZ
— Dave AB (@Special_Asim) March 29, 2015
Phew ... Nice work Elliot! #AUSvNZ
— Samantha Thomas (@Doc_Samantha) March 29, 2015
Another superb performance in a knockout match for Elliott.. #AUSvNZ
— Nikhil Mane (@nikhiltait) March 29, 2015 Elliot striked dazzling half century while playing gainst Australia in World Cup final,
Overs 27: New Zealand, however, managed to score 108-3 off 27 overs.
Kiwis rebuilding well after those 3 early wickets, some great bowling, great fieding, and equally good batting too #NZvAUS
— Ratnakar Sadasyula (@ScorpiusMaximus) March 29, 2015 Overs 24: New Zealand were on 83-3.
Starc to Elliott, SIX, to fine leg. New Zealand on 83-3.
Come on Elliott! We want shots like that!! #NZvsAUS
— VIDUSHI (@ProudCuler) March 29, 2015 Overs 21: This time New Zealand on 70-3. Ross Taylor on 18 whereas Elliot on 18 scores
Elliott has reviewed that. He has been given out lbw by Dharmasena. And YES he survives. Hopes are high again.
Please don t give up NZs! #CWC15
— Shan (@gr8pixel) March 29, 2015 Overs 18: New Zealand off to a steady play with a score of 59-3. Ross Taylor on 17 whereas Elliot on 9 scores.
Okay Enough NZ Get serious and bring the WC #AUSvNZ
— Maaaaaa hyyyyy (@Maahyyyyy) March 29, 2015 Overs 15: New Zealand were on 47-3. Ross Taylor (10) and Elliot (4).
Meanwhile,
I don t like the look of this. #AUSvNZ #BackTheBlackCaps #CWC15Final pic.twitter.com/poLSOtgWIG
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) March 29, 2015
Love an Aussie kiwi clash, goodluck! #AusvsNZ pic.twitter.com/QLSqZLaeXa
— Shaun Tait (@shaun_tait32) March 29, 2015
after India and Pakistan both got out of the Cricket World Cup, the viewing audience went down by more than 55% lol
— Common Desi Dude (@CommonDesiDude) March 29, 2015 Another OUT! Australia in swing, Johnson to Williamson (12), Caught and Bowled! New Zealand on 39-3 off 12.2 overs.
Mitchell Johnson caught & bowled Kane WIlliamson @mcg #AUSvNZ @theheraldsun @heraldsunsport pic.twitter.com/B42PAK58BW
— Wayne Ludbey. (@WLudbey) March 29, 2015 Overs 12: New Zealand 38-2 with having Williamson (12) and Ross Taylor (5)
OUT! Another gone, Maxwell to Guptill (15), THATS OUT!! Bowled!! New Zealand on 33-2
Hazlewood to Guptill, SIX, Haddin running back signals six
With that six, Guptill has become the highest run-scorer of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 #backtheblackaps #cwcfinal ^CE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2015 Overs 9: After 9 overs New Zealand were on 24 runs on a loss of one wicket.
Overs 6: New Zealand made 22-1. Guptill 14 and Williamson on 4 runs.
Overs 3: New Zealand lost its early wicket with a score of 11 while playing against Australia in World Cup final.
OUT! Starc to Brendon McCullum, out Bowled!! Gone for a duck! Early wicket of New Zealand falls off 0.6 over.
The BLACKCAPS have won the toss and will bat first in the CWC Final! #nzvaus #final ^CE https://t.co/V782UauyMU
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2015
Australia are bidding to be crowned world champions for a fifth time, while New Zealand are playing in their first World Cup final.
Both Australia and New Zealand were unchanged from their semi-final wins over defending champions India and South Africa respectively.
McCullum s Black Caps have won eight matches in a row, including a one-wicket victory over Australia in a low scoring pool stage thriller in Auckland a month ago.
"The wicket looks outstanding, we can give ourselves a great opportunity to put runs on the board," said McCullum as he explained his decision to bat first.
"We re going with the same team and we know we ll be tough to beat. The guys are excited, certainly not fearful. We can t wait to get amongst it."
Australia, the top-ranked side in one-day cricket, will be considered favourites playing at the MCG where New Zealand last played a one-day international in 2009.
Skipper Michael Clarke, a World Cup-winner in 2007, has announced that he will be playing in his 245th and last ODI in the final, with the Australia batsman quitting 50-over cricket in a bid to extend his Test career.
"I would have batted first but the wicket looks outstanding so I don t think it matters," said Clarke.
"Physically we ve been able to get ourselves right and we re ready to go. Hopefully we can play some entertaining cricket."
New Zealand have defeated Australia in three of their last five ODIs at the MCG, including a six-wicket win with seven deliveries to spare in their most recent appearance at the ground six years ago.
Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wkt), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Daniel Vettori, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
