If there was ever any doubt about the best side in this year's Cricket World Cup, then the manner in which the Australians overwhelmed the co-hosts for the competition, New Zealand in the final put all such uncertainty to rest. Quite simply they were far too good for the Black Caps at the MCG and romped to a seven-wicket victory, hence cementing their place as the top dogs in one-day international cricket and claiming a fifth World Cup title in the process.
After the semi-finals had ensured that the joint hosts would play each other in the final match of the lengthy tournament, there had been an air of expectation hanging around the likely outcome today.
Many had thought that as good as the Baggy Greens might be, the New Zealanders might just be destined to lift the title for the first time in their history. Sadly for the match as a spectacle, that never transpired.
The Aussie bowlers were far too ruthless to allow any sentiment to slip in, denying the spectators the chance of seeing any fireworks from the often destructive Brendon McCullum, who departed (clean bowled) to the deadly Mitchell Starc without scoring. Neither was record breaker Martin Guptill able to make much of an impression as he fell for just 15 runs this time, as Glenn Maxwell also hit the stumps. At 39-3, even a semi-respectable score looked a tall order, but a fourth-wicket stand of 111 finally gave the Kiwi contingent in the 93,000 crowd something to cheer about, as Grant Elliott once again sparkled on the main stage with 83 and Ross Taylor provided some assistance with 40.
That was as good as it got though, as a clatter of wickets thereafter removed three middle order batsmen for just one run. New Zealand managed to limp to 183 all out off 45 overs, leaving the likely result of an Aussie success all but confirmed.
Starc (2-20), Mitchell Johnson (3-30) and James Faulkner (3-36) ably demonstrated what a formidable bowling unit they are, taking 8 of the NZ wickets to fall between themselves.
England fans can probably already be forgiven for worrying slightly about their chances against such opposition come the Ashes.
The home side's reply initially floundered as Aaron Finch matched McCullum's duck, allowing Trent Boult to finish his own work off with a caught and bowled success. David Warner and Steve Smith eased any lingering Aussie nerves with a stand of 61 for the second wicket.
When Warner fell for 45, Smith continued his progress in alliance with the captain Michael Clarke (74), the duo putting on a crucial 112 runs for the third wicket. Clarke could not last quite to the end, but Smith remained unbeaten on a solid 56 to hit the winning runs, as the Australians sauntered to their target in 33.1 overs, finishing on 186-3.
