Black Caps outclassed by Australia in CWC final

12:48 am on 30 March 2015

Australia outclassed New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne - easing to a 7 wicket win.

The Black Caps were no match for Australia, posting just 183 runs off 45 overs, which the home side reached with 16.5 overs to spare.

Australia's captain Michael Clarke top scored for his side with 74 in what was his last One Day match for his country.

Clarke and Steve Smith, who finished on 56 not out, put on a partnership of 112 for the 3rd wicket to put the match beyond reach for New Zealand.

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Clarke said he was "over the moon" with the win.

The Australian team with the Cricket World Cup.

The Australian team with the Cricket World Cup. Photo: Photosport

Australian batsman Michael Clarke (R) shakes hands with New Zealand's captain Brendon McCullum.

Australian batsman Michael Clarke (R) shakes hands with New Zealand's captain Brendon McCullum. Photo: AFP

"We played really well tonight, I said after the semi-final I think the guys were certainly ready for this final mentally, we had to recover physically".

"The medical staff do a great job in getting everybody fit and healthy and the guys were ready for tonight and they played really well".

Clarke also made mention of the late Australian player Phil Hughes who died suddenly after being hit in the head by a cricket ball late last year.

"We played this World Cup with 16 players and tonight's certainly dedicated to our little brother and team-mate, Phillip Hughes".

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum said his side had no regrets, and described the tournament as "one hell of a ride".

Trent Boult (L) is congratulated by teammate Daniel Vettori (R) after dismissing Australia's Aaron Finch.

Trent Boult (L) is congratulated by teammate Daniel Vettori (R) after dismissing Australia's Aaron Finch. Photo: Photosport

"Right the way through, I think we've played some outstanding cricket - we ran into an outstanding Australian team tonight who continue to set the way in international cricket and full credit to them, they're deserved champions".

The Black Caps won the toss elected to bat first, but got off to a terrible start when star batsman McCullum was bowled out for a duck in the first over.

After a short recovery period with Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson putting on a partnership of 32, the pair were dismissed in quick succession, putting New Zealand on the back foot yet again.

Grant Elliott survived a scare when he was given out LBW while on 15, but the wicket was overturned when a review found the ball to be missing the stumps.

He and Ross Taylor then took back control of the match, and struck up a partnership of 111 - with Elliott reaching his half century off just 51 balls.

But the innings begun unravelling when Taylor was caught behind for 40 with a brilliant catch by Brad Haddin off the bowling of James Faulkner.

Australia's James Faulkner celebrates his wicket of New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson.

Australia's James Faulkner celebrates his wicket of New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson. Photo: AFP

The Black Caps then collapsed, with Faulkner bowling big-hitter Corey Anderson for a duck just two balls later, and in the following over Luke Ronchi was caught in the slips also for a duck.

In the 40th over Elliott survived another LBW shout - it was originally deemed not out by umpire Kumar Dharmasena, but Australia reviewed the call, but it was found to be pitching outside off stump.

Daniel Vettori managed to score 9 runs before he was clean bowled by Mitchell Johnson, and Elliott joined him in the sheds in the next over, with Faulkner again claiming the wicket with another catch behind the wicket by the keeper.

It was then only a matter of time before the tail end were dismissed - Matt Henry was caught for a duck, and Tim Southee made 11 before he was run out to finish the match.

Trent Boult finished on 0 not out.

McCullum said that collapse hurt the side.

Kane Williamson avoids a bouncer from Australia's Josh Hazlewood.

Kane Williamson avoids a bouncer from Australia's Josh Hazlewood. Photo: AFP

"We got ourselves back in the game at 3 for 150, but as Australia do, they came back at us again to take 7 for 30 at the end there and obviously put us under a lot of pressure".

Faulkner finished with 3-36 and claimed man of the match for his performance with the ball.

Mitchell Starc finished the match with 2-20, taking his final wicket tally to 22 from 8 innings and earning him man of the tournament.

There was some hope for New Zealand at the beginning of the second innings when Trent Boult caught and bowled opener Aaron Finch for a duck in the second over.

It was 11 further overs until the Black Caps claimed their second scalp, with David Warner caught by Elliott caught off Matt Henry's bowling for 45.

New Zealand claimed their third and final wicket when Australia were just nine runs from winning - Clarke was bowled by Matt Henry for 74.

But it was too little too late, with Shane Watson and Smith easily gaining the remaining runs.

Boult finished the tournament with 22 wickets in total - coming second behind Starc on Most Wickets table with his 22 coming from 9 innings.

It was the fifth time Australia had won the Cricket World Cup trophy.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is bowled by Australia's Mitchell Starc

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is bowled by Australia's Mitchell Starc Photo: Photosport

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