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MELBOURNE , Australia, CMC – Australia crushed New Zealand by seven wickets to claim their fifth ICC Cricket World Cup, in a hugely lopsided affair at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that had been hyped as blockbuster. opting to bat first, the Black Caps slumped to 39 for three in the 13th over and despite a brief recovery, could only muster a disappointing 183 all out off 45 overs. Middle order batsman Grant Elliott top scored with 82 off 83 deliveries and Ross Taylor got 40 from 72 balls but they were the only batsmen to pass 15 as the much vaunted Kiwi batting juggernaut faltered badly. Left-armer Mitchell Johnson (3-30) and fellow seamer James Faulkner (3-36) both finished with three wickets apiece while another left-armer, Mitchell Starc, claimed two for 20, to pick up the Man-of-the-Series honours. Left with a paltry target to chase in front their home crowd, the Aussies made light work of the task, cruising to victory in the 34th over behind half-centuries from captain Michae

Stunning late spell from Starc not enough as Kiwis chase 152 with one wicket in hand Mitchell Starc bowled Australia to within an inch of an unbelievable victory as to turn what appeared a comfortable New Zealand run chase into a heart-stopping World Cup epic. Kane Williamson blasted a six down the ground from Patrick Cummins to complete a one-wicket win – with an incredible 26.5 overs left in the contest. Trent Boult's five wickets orchestrated a stunning Australian collapse and Brendon McCullum blasted a belligerent 21-ball half-century that looked set to hand Australia a chastening World Cup thumping and blow Pool A wide open. But Starc typified Australia's never-say-die attitude with 6-28 from nine overs to put Australia within sight of what would have been a memorable victory. Starc bowls Elliott // AFP   As it was, Williamson was the hero for 40,000 Eden Park faithful, his first six the match-winner in an unbeaten 45. Mitchell Johnson suffered at