Australia win by 7 wickets, bag 5th World Cup title ...

Australia broke New Zealand hearts with a dominant final performance, bringing home the Cricket World Cup. Australia crushed New Zealand by 7 wickets in the final at the MCG on Sunday.

The MCG turned into a sea of yellow cheering for its team. The team which has won its fifth world cup is Australia.  Being the last World Cup for the Aussie Captain Michael Clarke, what better send off would he have had asked for.  New Zealand batted first after winning a rare toss, openers failed to provide a promising start to the Kiwi innings.  Mc Cullum was out for a duck and Martin Guptill was bowled by Glen Maxwell. Kane Williamson soon followed the openers to the pavilion.  Elliott's 83 runs from 82 balls was smooth alongwith a resilient knock of 40 by Ross Taylor. Elliott and Ross Taylor's 111-run stand anchored the Kiwi innings until the 36th over. Faulkner's removal of Taylor and Corey Anderson within three balls in the 35th over signaled the definitive turning point in the innings.  Starc and Johnson returned to ravage the tail, Tim Southee fell short of his crease and was run out. New Zealand were all out for a modest 183 in the 45th over. Chasing a low target of 184,New Zealand had to go all-guns- blazing at the Aussie batsmen.  The pressure by New Zealand paid early dividends. Aaron Finch was caught and bowled by the in-from pacer and leading wicket taker Trent Boult in the second over.  Coming at the elevated Number 3 slot, Steven Smith played cautiously to ensure a 60-run plus partnership with David Warner.  Opener Warner scored a 46 ball 45 runs before falling prey to Henry's ball. Michael Clarke and Steven Smith stroked fluent half-centuries to chase the target down inside 34 overs.  Clarke, the departing captain, had a standing ovation when he left the field after his sparkling 74 from 72.  Smith, his most likely successor, stayed at the crease to hit the last ball of the World Cup through deep square leg for four. It was despair for New Zealand, who got to the end of their fairytale Cricket World Cup story only to find Australia had penned a cruel twist on the final page. ( DDN )