Australia really knows how to shine in the ODI World Cup. They’ve been the most successful team in this tournament’s history, bagging an impressive six titles. Between 1999 and 2007, they managed to clinch the championship three times in a row, which is quite a feat!
Things didn’t go as planned in 2011 when they faced India in the semi-finals and sadly lost. Not one to stay down for long, though, the Aussies bounced back with a bang just four years later when the World Cup took place right in their backyard. Under Michael Clarke’s captaincy, Australia only lost one game in the group stage. They then took on Pakistan and India in the knockout rounds and came out on top.
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In the big final against New Zealand, played at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia really showed up. They dominated in every area and secured a solid seven-wicket victory, marking their fifth World Cup win. James Faulkner was the star of the show, earning the Player of the Match title for his brilliant bowling. He took three key wickets while only giving away 36 runs in nine overs—pretty impressive!
#OnThisDay in 2015, Australia won the Men's @cricketworldcup for a record fifth time! pic.twitter.com/TnAgnUas5a
— ICC (@ICC) March 28, 2019
New Zealand, led by Brendon McCullum, batted first in the final, but things didn’t start off well for them. The team faced a rough patch right at the top, with McCullum getting out without scoring any runs, and star players Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson also struggled to get into double digits. Thankfully for the Black Caps, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott joined forces and turned things around with a solid partnership that added 111 runs.
Elliott emerged as the top scorer for New Zealand with 80 runs, while Taylor contributed a steady 40. But overall, New Zealand wrapped up their innings at 183 runs in 45 overs, which wasn’t enough. Along with Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson also picked up three wickets while Mitchell Starc contributed with two.
On this day in 2015, @CricketAus won the Men’s @cricketworldcup for the fifth time 🖐
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2021
And they did it in front of a packed out @MCG in @MClarke23’s final ODI. pic.twitter.com/igVR1vHPhI
When it was Australia’s turn to chase, they faced a slight setback early on when Aaron Finch got out in the second over. But David Warner quickly made a statement with a fast-paced 45 runs, and both Steve Smith and Michael Clarke chipped in with their own half-centuries. Thanks to their solid performances, Australia completed the chase in just 34 overs, losing only three wickets. For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the best bowler with two wickets to his name, while Trent Boult managed to take one.
