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On March 29, 2015, Australia won their fifth ODI World Cup by defeating New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. James Faulkner was named Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul.
Australia outplayed New Zealand in all departments and registered a seven-wicket win to claim their fifth World Cup. (Image: ICC/X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2015: Australia have dominated the ODI World Cup like no one else. They are the most successful team in the ICC competition with six titles. Australia became champions three times in a row between 1999 and 2007. After a heartbreaking defeat to India in the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup, the Aussies made a roaring comeback four years later when the tournament was held on their home soil.
With Michael Clarke in charge, the hosts endured just one defeat in the group stage before overcoming Pakistan and India respectively in the knockout games.
Australia were up against New Zealand in the final, which was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on this day. The home side outplayed their opponents in all departments and registered a seven-wicket win to claim their fifth World Cup.
James Faulkner was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional spell. The Aussie pacer ripped through the New Zealand middle-order and fetched a three-wicket haul, conceding only 36 runs in nine overs.
The Black Caps, led by Brendon McCullum, batted first in the final and faced a top-order collapse. While the skipper returned with a duck, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson were unable to breach the 20-run mark. Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott then revived the innings for New Zealand with a 111-run stand.
Elliott finished as their top scorer with 80 runs when six of his teammates scored in single digits. Taylor contributed with an impactful 40 as New Zealand were all-out at 183 in 45 overs. Besides Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson also picked three wickets while Mitchell Starc took two.
Australia had an early blow into the chase, with Aaron Finch walking back to the pavilion in the second over. The other opener, David Warner, scored a quickfire 45 while Steve Smith and Michael Clarke both registered half-centuries.
Powered by their contributions, Australia wrapped up the win in the 34th over, losing only three wickets. Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand with two wickets and Trent Boult scalped one.