The 2015 Cricket World Cup culminated on Sunday evening with Australia securing their fifth World Cup crown after chasing down New Zealand‘s total of 183 with seven wickets to spare.
Although the match lacked the tense excitement of the earlier pool meeting between the two sides, it was not without its fair share of amazing moments.
1. Mitchell Starc snags Brendon McCullum for a duck
When Mitchell Starc took the new ball for the opening over of the match, spectators from both nations sat in nervous wait. Would Brendon McCullum have a day out on the biggest stage? Could Starc continue his incredible form and claim an early wicket?
From his first delivery it was clear that Starc’s sharp eye had not wavered and just five balls into the innings, he claimed the wicket of McCullum for nought.
As the Black Caps’ skipper’s off-stump tumbled, the crowd of over 93,000 erupted, sending a roar around the MCG rarely witnessed at a cricket match.
The wicket of McCullum would go on to prove crucial for Australia as they continued to mount early pressure on the visitors, restricting them to an innings total of 183.
Michael Clarke exiting the ‘G as a champion
All of Australia was hoping Michael Clarke could survive to the end of Australia’s innings and have the honour of hitting the winning runs.
As it happened it was more appropriate that such a great player received an individual ovation as he exited the field, instead of a moment to cheer his personal achievement being lost in the wash of celebrations.
The Australian skipper departed with his side needing just nine more runs to secure the World Cup, having notched up 74 runs from 72 deliveries batting alongside Steve Smith.
Clarke announced his retirement leading up to the final, finishing with 245 ODI matches to his name with a batting average of 44.58.
Shane Warne asking how “thirsty” the players are post-match
In true Warnie style, the former spin-king turned commentator only had one thing on his mind as he interviewed the Australian players on the field post-match.
“Are you feeling thirsty?” He asked Brad Haddin.
“Are you going to have a bit of a drink tonight too Smitty? Are you going to get thirsty as well? The boys are thirsty they seem.” He joked with Steve Smith.
“So what’s the plan, besides lots of drink and that. How long is that going to last. Just one night, two nights? We saw Darren Lehmann say it might last a week. Do you reckon it will go a bit longer than that?” He asked Shane Watson.
Warne would later go on to tweet in response to the criticism he received on social media:
Do gooders get stuffed. Straya is the best place in the world, not politically correct, keep it real. Aussies celebrate properly ! #thirsty
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 29, 2015
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