Cricket World Cup final 2015: Australia beat New Zealand

Summary

Australia win fifth World Cup
Victory secured with 16.5 overs spare
Captain Clarke 74 and Smith 56 not out
Faulkner 3-36 & Johnson 3-30 in NZ's 183
Starc bowled McCullum in first over
Faulker man of match; Starc man of CWC
93,013 crowd in Melbourne; NZ won toss

Live Reporting

Marc Higginson, James Gheerbrant and Mark Mitchener

Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
The Aussie boys can hardly contain their glee as they stand and shake hands with the Kiwis and umpires. Steve Smith is running round, jumping in the air and generally going pretty wild. Brad Haddin, the old-stager, just throws his arms in the air.
Image source, Getty Images
Champagne moment - Australia win the World Cuppublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Get those tinnies out, Australia are the champions of the cricketing world yet again. With a flourish of Steve Smith's bat, the ball runs to the square leg boundary and the boys in golden yellow pour onto the pitch to celebrate. Hugs, back slaps and fist-pumps ensue.
Image source, Getty Images
Aus 182-3published at 11:05 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
The excitable Aussies jump up and down on the spot, waiting to erupt like a volcano when the winning runs are struck. Two needed now, thanks to Steve Smith's single.
Aus 181-3published at 11:04 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
A Tim Southee yorker is dug out by Steve Smith. Michael Clarke smiles... he wants to get this party started.
How's stat?published at 11:03 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Steve Smith is the first player to five consecutive 50+ scores in World Cup matches."
Aus 181-3published at 11:03 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Shane Watson takes a single to put Steve Smith on strike. Three needed to win the World Cup. Hit it for six?
Postpublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Smith's made batting look so easy. His foot movement against spin has been excellent, and I think we'll be seeing a lot of him this summer in England."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.
Aus 180-3 (need 4 to win)published at 11:01 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
The Australians gathered on the boundary rope must wait a little longer as Steve Smith - the big tease - defends the final ball of the over.
50 for Steve Smith (off 66 balls)published at 11:00 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Make that four to win as Smith brings up his half-century. Get ready folks...
Aus 178-3published at 10:59 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Seagulls scatter as Steve Smith works two through mid-wicket. Six to win. Over to you, Smithy...
Postpublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Tremendous innings, tremendous one-day career. He'll be lifting that trophy soon, but he'll have wanted to hit the winning runs."
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"Well done, Michael Clarke. You've given us something to remember with that innings."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.
WICKETpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
You know when a hat-trick hero is subbed with a minute to go to ensure he gets a standing ovation? Well, Michael Clarke is afforded something similar when he chops on to his own stumps and is bowled by Matt Henry. While the crowd stands and applauds, the Kiwi players shake hands with Clarke. He's got just one more job to do in his ODI career... collect the World Cup trophy.
Image source, Getty Images
Aus 174-2 (need 10 to win)published at 10:55 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
New Zealand supporters file out of the ground, and are given a friendly send-off by the Aussie fans. The Australian players and coaching staff gather excitedly on the boundary.
Postpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Michael Clarke's had a good platform set by his bowlers - he's a class act and he's shown it again tonight. Smith improves every game. My heart was hoping for a New Zealand win today, but the boys in yellow just had so much power, and two class players here at three and four who can read the situation."
Aus 173-2 (need 11 to win)published at 10:54 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Make that four successive fours for Michael Clarke, who cuts Tim Southee through point again. He's got somewhere to be. Maybe he can't wait to see our very own Stephan Shemilt in the post-match news conference?
Postpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Michael Clarke's still got a few more years left in him in Test cricket. It just depends on when his back finally goes, or when he's had enough."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.
Aus 165-2 (need 19 more to win)published at 10:51 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Back-to-back boundaries for Michael Clarke bring the required runs below 20. It's now about when, not if.
Image source, AFP
That's a recordpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
The highest cricket attendance in Australia has been confirmed... there are 93,013 people inside the MCG tonight. Big.
Scorecard updatepublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 29 March 2015
Australia 157-2 from 30 overs (target 184)
Batsmen: Smith 57, Clarke 47
Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0), 63-2 (Warner 45)
Bowling figures: Southee 6-0-46-0, Boult 10-0-40-1, Vettori 5-0-25-0, Henry 8-0-36-1, Anderson 1-0-7-0
New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36
NZ won toss
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.
Scorecard