MELBOURNE – Australia crushed New Zealand in Sunday’s World Cup final, wrapping up a fifth ODI title with seven wickets in hand and 101 balls to spare.
Michael Clarke top-scored for Australia with 74 in his 245th and final ODI.
From the moment Brendon McCullum was dismissed for a duck in the opening over at the MCG, the trans-Tasman tussle was on Australia’s terms.
Grant Elliott’s plucky 83 pushed the Blackcaps to a total of 183, their innings ending after 45 overs and a woeful collapse of 7-33.
McCullum’s aggression remained unchecked, with the New Zealand skipper employing four slips early and Trent Boult’s opening spell lasting seven overs. But the visitors simply didn’t have anywhere near enough runs to play with.
Outgoing ODI captain Clarke and Steve Smith, the man widely tipped to be his successor, shared a classy 112-run stand.
Clarke and Smith were in the middle when the hosts eased past the halfway mark of their chase in the 19th over.
