ICC World Cup 2015: Australia crush New Zealand to become world champions for record fifth time

Big games are always interesting, especially when a match is decided in the dying moments. But for those who expected the 2015 ICC World Cup clash between Australia and New Zealand to be a close tie, well they were simply disappointed.

The only thing that Australia lost at Melbourne Cricket Ground as the toss. And as the day unfolded, Michael Clarke ended his One Day International (ODI) career by lifting the World Cup on Sunday. It was Australia's fifth trophy and they have become the first team to achieve that feat in the history of the sport.

Australia won the match comfortably with seven wickets in hand, as they reached the total in the 34th over, with Steven Smith finishing things off with a boundary.

Fans all over the world were hoping for an epic battle between hard-hitting New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum and Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc. So far, captain McCullum has been explosive early in their innings and for the finals, everyone wanted him to lead his side's batting attack.

But it took Starc just three deliveries to send McCullum back to the pavilion as Australia got a a massive breakthrough in the first over. Two more wickets followed soon, and the responsibility then rested on Ross Taylor and semi final hero Grant Elliott's shoulders to steady the innings.

The duo put on a brilliant 111-run partnership and accelerated scoring in the batting powerplay. James Faulkner struck on the first ball of the batting powerplay, ending Taylor's time in the middle.

Taylor's dismissal had a huge impact on New Zealand, as Corey Anderson was dismissed two balls later, which was followed by Luke Ronchi giving away his wicket in the very next over. The game had changed in a blink of an eye as Australia regained control and their bowling attack crushed New Zealand's middle order.

They kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they lost seven wickets for 33 runs in the next 60 balls. New Zealand were bowled out for 183 runs in 45 overs. Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson picked up three wickets each, while Starc claimed two.

In reply, Trent Boult gave the Kiwis the start they were looking for when he dismissed Aaron Finch for a duck. Steven Smith was held on to his wicket, while David Warner kept scoring a run a ball, before getting out on 46.

Michael Clarke replaced him to walk for one last time at the biggest stage. He kept the score board ticking after taking sometime to settle and went on to score a half century.

Clarke looked like he was in a hurry to finish the match and smashed four boundaries across the park off a Tim Southee over. He was finally dismissed for 72 after playing an inside edge on to the stumps off Matt Henry.

Steven Smith remained unbeaten and brought in his fourth consecutive 50. Starc and Boult finished as the joint top wicket takers in this World Cup with 22 wickets each, while Martin Guptill was the tournament's top run score with 547 runs.