How Australia grabbed the ‘Mauka’ to win their fifth World Cup trophy

Source: Live Images
Saket Parekar
Saket Parekar folomojo staff

Michael Clarke finished his ODI career with a perfect farewell gift for his team as Australia defeated co-hosts New Zealand by 7 wickets to claim their fifth cricket World Cup trophy at the MCG on Sunday.

93,013 people at the MCG stood up and applauded as Michael Clarke walked off for one last time in an ODI game. Clarke left the field after scoring 74 off 72, leaving his team 9 runs away from victory in the World Cup final, 9 runs short of a fifth World title in limited overs cricket, 9 runs short of reclaiming their position as the most dominant team in international cricket.

It’s difficult to describe the anticipation, the excitement, the drama, the passion and the thrill surrounding a World Cup final using just the written word. You have to be there to feel it. Although the 2015 final turned out to be sort of anti-climactic in many ways, it still gave us plenty to remember. Here are the memories that will stay with us forever, or at least until the next World Cup in 2019.

1. That Starc over

Source: Live Images
Source: Live Images

When Australia were well on their way in the chase, one of the TV commentators said that this match was won in the first over, when Mitch Starc destroyed McCullum’s off-stump with one of the balls of the tournament and sent the Kiwi captain back for a duck.

2. That Elliot review

Source: Live Images
Source: Live Images

Time and again during the final, New Zealand showed us glimpses of a comeback, a fight, a turnaround. But they were just glimpses. Grant Elliot reviewing an LBW decision against him in the 20th over was one such moment. Elliot, the match-winner in the semi-final against South Africa, was on 15 at that point. He and Taylor were just starting to get a partnership together and leading New Zealand back in the game. The decision was overturned and Elliot stayed, and went on to make 83. But the rest of the Kiwis just didn’t seem to have any fight left.

3. The Faulkner phenomenon

Source: Live Images
Source: Live Images

James Faulkner, who was eventually declared Man-of-the-Match turned the game around in the 36th over when he claimed the wicket of a well set Taylor and sent back the dangerous Corey Anderson on a duck, ending New Zealand’s hopes of reaching a decent total. From 150-3 in the 35th over, Kiwis were down to 151-6 after 37 overs as Ronchi also went back for a duck in the following over.

4. Enter Clarke

They cheered their superstar on as he made his entrance, with Australia cruising at 63-2, the 90,000-plus in the MCG at their loudest best as Pup took to the crease. Clarke had a resolute and determined look on his face, and you just knew that the skipper was going to finish it off in his own special way.

5. Pup hits four in four

In the 31st over bowled by Tim Southee, Michael Clarke smacked him for four boundaries in a row, every shot more authoritative than the previous. The over just summed up Southee and New Zealand’s day.

6. Steve Smith gets to his fifty

Source: Live Images
Source: Live Images

Australia’s best batsman of the tournament by a long distance, Steve Smith was actually the man who brought assurance and calmness to the Aussie dressing room each time he walked in to bat. No matter how many runs were on the board, you just felt more relaxed when Smith was on the crease. Clarke heir apparent capped off a brilliant summer with an outstanding World Cup, and particularly with a fine show in the semi-final and the final.

7. Brendon McCullum’s post-match speech

McCullum’s last speech of the campaign was no different than his and New Zealand’s approach to the tournament: Honest, free-flowing and entertaining. He was graceful in defeat, generous with praise for the opponents and defended his team’s approach and style of play.

‘We’ve played outstanding cricket. This has been the greatest time of our lives. We played with a free spirit and plenty of heart, and I have absolutely no regrets. Michael Clarke and Australia completely deserved to win. They put up a tough challenge, as they always do. Nevertheless, I’m proud of our performance.’

8. A tribute to Phil Hughes

All eyes were set on Michael Clarke’s final words as Australia’s ODI captain. And he didn’t disappoint. His farewell was emotional and heartfelt as he dedicated the win to his buddy Phil Hughes, who tragically died during the summer. “It’s got PH on it, I’ll wear it every time I play for Australia. It’s been a really tough few months and everyone would say we played this World Cup with 16 players. Tonight is dedicated to our little brother. Hughesy used to party as well as any of them,” he said.