Australia Rule Again, New Zealand Come Up Short and More from World Cup Final

Australia lifted the Cricket World Cup for the fifth time in their history after easing to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand. 

The final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, did not quite turn out to be the enthralling finish to the tournament that many had hoped for.

After New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, the team looked to working their way back into the match when they reached 150 for three.

However, the Black Caps—playing their first game of the competition on foreign soil—lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs to be bowled out for 183.

Australia saw Aaron Finch depart early in their reply and despite making a rapid 45, the fall of David Warner's wicket gave their opponents renewed hope.

But, making his final one-day appearance, Australia's Michael Clarke came in and steadied the ship. The captain was cautious to start before blossoming as his innings wore on.

Although he was dismissed with the finishing line in sight for 74, Steven Smith's unbeaten 56 saw Australia to victory with the small matter of 101 balls to spare.

Delivery of the day 

Australia's Mitchell Starc didn't waste much time in sending down the best delivery of the match.

The left-arm paceman had already beaten McCullum twice in the opening over when he cleaned up New Zealand's captain for a duck.

The batsman was beaten for pace as much as anything, failing to get his bat down in time to keep out a full-length delivery that went on to clip the base of his off stump.

It was a spectacular start to the game, particularly after McCullum—a talisman for his team at the top of the batting order—had won the toss and opted to bat first.

Catch of the day 

After slipping to 39 for three, Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor led a New Zealand recovery with a fourth-wicket partnership worth 111.

The duo seemed to be laying the foundation for the Kiwis to launch a late onslaught, starting with the batting powerplay from the 35th over onwards.

However, with the first delivery of the five-over period, James Faulkner found the outside edge of Taylor's bat.

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin completed the dismissal with a diving catch low to his right. At first, it seemed the ball had been struck into the ground, but replays showed it came off the bat on the full.

Shot of the day 

Clarke rolled back the years during his innings in Australia's successful run chase.

The right-hander hit 10 fours and one superb six, using his feet to get down the wicket and loft New Zealand's left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori over the rope at long-off.

He also rushed his country towards their target with four successive boundaries in one expensive Tim Southee over.

Perhaps, though, the award for the best shot of the day should go to the very last one.

Smith had the privilege of being the man who got to hit the winning runs, pulling seamer Matt Henry away to the square leg boundary for four to start the celebrations.

Mitchell, the main man 

Starc was selected as man of the tournament, a rich reward for the bowler after he finished the campaign with 22 wickets at a ridiculously low average of 10.18.

Celebrate good times

Dedicated to a late team-mate

Captain Clarke wore a black armband with the initials PH on them when he lifted the trophy, honouring the late Phillip Hughes, who died while playing the game he loved last year.

Next stop: England in 2019 

So the 2015 World Cup comes to an end. It may have taken some time to find out the eventual winner, but there were some highlights along the way.

New Zealand's Martin Guptill—who finished as the leading run scorer—set a new record for an individual batsman with his knock of 237. There also were two hat-tricks taken by bowlers. 

Next time in 2019, England will be the host nation of a smaller, 10-team event, meaning fewer Associate nations will be involved.