Phil Hughes (R) lying on the ground after being hit by a bouncer of Sean Abott (L)
Cricket World Cup travelled to down under yet again when Australia and New Zealand hosted the 2015 World Cup. A total of 14 teams participated in this edition of the world cup with the format remaining the same as that of 2011 World Cup. Slots for Pool A was filled by New Zealand, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Scotland and debutants Afghanistan. Whereas, Pakistan, India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) filling Pool B slots.
Pool A produced the biggest shock when Bangladesh stunned England to hand them an early flight home. On the other hand in Pool B Ireland upsetting West Indies and Zimbabwe. Virat Kohli becoming the first Indian batter to score a ton against Pakistan in a World Cup match at Adelaide Oval. In the process he became the only player to score a ton in the first match of two consecutive world cups. Chris Gayle became the first batter to score 200+ in a World Cup match by belting 215 against Zimbabwe.
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The Quarter Final line up looked like this : Sri Lanka vs South Africa ; New Zealand vs West Indies ; Pakistan vs Australia and India vs Bangladesh. Martin Guptill hit the highest individual World Cup score when he hit 237 against the Caribbeans. South Africa winning their first World Cup knock out game when they ousted Sri Lanka. India had it easy against Bangladesh while Pakistan vs Australia produced some thrilling moments before Australia squeezed through.
And hence New Zealand were to clash with South Africa and India were to lock horns with Australia in the semi-finals. Grant Elliott played the innings of his life by scoring 84 not out (73), Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum 59(26) continued his whirlwind batting and Corey Anderson 58(57) helped New Zealand ousting South Africa and entering the World Cup finals for the first time. South African again chocked in the World Cup which led their pacers Morne Morkell and Dale Steyn crying on the field. Australia, by virtue of Steve Smith’s ton, dethroned India in an one – sided semi finals.
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Thus the two hosts Australia and New Zealand clashed in the Grand Finale. Frequent sledging by the Australians hampered the concentration of New Zealand batters. Opting to bat at Melbourne, Kiwis got off to a worst possible start with in form Brendon McCullum being castled by Mitchell Starc. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals and the Kiwi innings concluded at 183. Grant Elliott with 83(82) provided some resistance. Chasing 184, Australia, too, began disastrously losing Aaron Finch for a duck and then David Warner 45(46), Steve Smith 56 not out (71) and skipper Michael Clarke 74(72) carried Australia to their fifth World Cup triumph.
Australia, thus won the World Cup in five different continents. While receiving the Cup, skipper Michael Clarke pointing to the trophy said, “This is for our brother Phil Hughes, who passed away just before the tournament commenced of a bouncer from Sean Abott while batting on 63 in an Australian domestic league match.” Mitchell Starc was adjudged the player of the World Cup.
