ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final: Australia vs New Zealand

Australian players celebrating with the trophy

In the end, the final was not as exciting as we all thought it would be. Only one team was dominating the contest right from the beginning and they managed to clinch the title for the 5th time. Australia beat New Zealand comfortably by 7 wickets at the MCG courtesy of some good performances from its bowlers and also from Michael Clarke and Steven Smith.

Here are the ratings for each and every single player from both sides:

New Zealand

Brendon McCullum – 1/10

After getting his team off to some electrifying starts almost every game in this tournament, the skipper failed to inspire the same on the big stage as the Kiwis suffered an early setback in the very 1st over when Mitchell Starc rattled his stumps.

Martin Guptill – 2/10

He weathered the storm, did all the hard work against the quicks, but fell to Glenn Maxwell’s gentle off-spin. In the process, he did manage to go past Kumar Sangakkara to end up as the tournament’s highest run-getter.

Kane Williamson – 2/10

Unfortunately for New Zealand, they had pinned all their hopes on this man. He had been in a rich vein of form before the World Cup, but he couldn’t deliver it when it mattered the most. They badly needed him to stay on for 40 overs.

Ross Taylor – 4/10

He hung in there for a long time, but the Blackcaps needed more. Taylor stitched up an useful partnership with Elliot and made 40 runs but got out at the wrong time.

Grant Elliot – 8/10

The old warhorse was at his best again a few nights after ending South Africa’s hopes. He was at his destructive best despite the situation demanding for some calmness. Sadly, he ran out of partners and eventually perished for 83.

Corey Anderson – 1/10

The stage was all set for Corey Anderson to take on the Aussies as he made his way with 15 overs left, but unfortunately the batting powerplay worked against his side’s favour and he was gone for a duck!

Luke Ronchi – 1/10

Luke Ronchi’s homecoming wasn’t even nearly good as he would have liked it to be. The Kiwis needed some fireworks, but all they got was a big round zero from him.

Daniel Vettori – 3/10

Playing his last international match for New Zealand, Daniel Vettori wanted more. But it wasn’t the case as he went wicketless in his 5 overs and made 9 with the bat.

Tim Southee – 2/10

Unfortunately for Southee, his best moment in the match came when he hit a huge six while trying to score some quick runs. He went for 65 in his 8 overs and couldn’t deliver with the ball

Matt Henry – 5/10

Matt Henry picked up two wickets, but it was never going to be enough against this Australian line-up who bat very deep until number 10.

Trent Boult – 5/10

Bowled his heart out in search for early wickets and he indeed got one in the form of Aaron Finch. But he couldn’t penetrate the Aussie line-up further and ended up with figures of 1 for 40.

Australia

Aaron Finch – 1/10

Just when it seemed like he was getting back to form, Finch provided New Zealand some hope by getting out very early in the innings for a duck.

David Warner – 5/10

David Warner did what he does the best and that is to counter punch the opposition. He made a quickfire 45 thus giving no room for the bowlers to settle in.

Steven Smith – 7/10

He has been scoring runs all summer for Australia, and today once again he put his hand up and delivered on the grand stage remaining unbeaten till the end scoring 56.

Michael Clarke – 8/10

If there was ever any doubt about his ODI batting credentials, he just rewinded the clock back in his final ODI match for Australia making 74 at more than run a ball. His partnership with Steven Smith ensured that there were no hiccups in this run-chase.

Shane Watson – 2/10

He didn’t have much to do to be honest. He came in at a time when the Aussies needed just a handful of runs to get and bowled a few overs to support the strike bowlers.

Glenn Maxwell – 4/10

Got the crucial wicket of the tournament’s leading run-getter, Martin Guptill who had played the seamers out pretty comfortably. He didn’t have to come out to bat at all.

James Faulkner – 9/10

James Faulkner just reminded us all as to why Australia were badly hoping for his injury to heal soon during the tournament. He bowled the 1st over of the batting powerplay and removed both Anderson and Taylor to put the kiwis on the backfoot. He also took Elliot’s wicket and ended up being the man of the match.

Brad Haddin – 4/10

Had a good day behind the stumps as he quietly closed down his ODI career. The 37-year old’s reflexes were on display when he dived to take Taylor’s catch.

Mitchell Johnson – 7/10

It had been an ordinary tournament so far for Mitchell Johnson, but he was at his best today as he ended up picking 3 wickets including that of Kane Williamson in the 9 overs that he bowled.

Mitchell Starc – 8/10

The man of the tournament once again highlighted his tremendous consistency when he took 2 wickets at an economy of just 2.5. He broke the Kiwi hearts by picking up McCullum in the very first over and then came back to remove Ronchi.

Josh Hazlewood – 5/10

He did his job in a quiet manner yet again as he kept things tight at the start of the innings with a couple of maidens and ended up with an economy rate of 3.75 in his 8 overs.