ROSS Taylor (L) and Grant Elliott steadied the New Zealand innings with a 111-run partnership. Taylor scored 40 with Elliott contributing 83.—AFP |
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH James Faulkner then dismissed Taylor and Corey Anderson in the space of three balls to leave the Black Caps reeling at 150-5 before they were bundled out for 183.—AP |
AUSTRALIA didn’t get off to a good start either with New Zealand paceman Trent Boult dismissing Aaron Finch in the second over but David Warner (45) eased their nerves with a 61-run partnership with the in-form Steven Smith.—Reuters |
NEW ZEALAND got off to a horror start with talismanic captain Brendon McCullum being cleaned up by Australian paceman Mitchell Starc off the fifth ball of the innings before they were reduced to 39-3 by the 13th over.—AFP |
WARNER’S dismissal brought Australian captain Michael Clarke, playing his final ODI, to the crease. Clarke’s magnificent 74 thwarted New Zealand’s hopes before he was eventually dismissed with nine runs required for victory.—AP |
SMITH, unbeaten on 56 — his fifth successive score of 50 or more, hit the winning four and as the ball kissed the ropes, Australians came racing out in celebration.—AP |
AUSTRALIA lifted the World Cup trophy for a fifth time. Here, Brad Haddin raises the trophy.—Reuters |
Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2015
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