Oz saved their best until last
Australia's players said they had saved their best performance until the end of the tournament after beating New Zealand by seven wickets with more than 16 overs to spare in the World Cup final on Sunday.
After their pace attack ripped through the vaunted New Zealand batting to dismiss the co-hosts for 183, skipper Michael Clarke (74) and Steve Smith (56 not out) hit half-centuries to drive Australia to their target and a fifth world title.
"Unbelievable feeling, we said we wanted to play our best game towards the end of the tournament and to win this final three down, I thought the boys were outstanding tonight," said Smith.
"The bowlers really set it up for us. They've done it all tournament."
Coach Darren Lehmann, who won two World Cups as a player, paid tribute to the hard work his players had put in over the tournament.
"They just keep coming up and fronting up day in, day out. They've been fantastic over the six weeks," he said before his players emptied a tub of energy drink over his head, adding: "That's why I love them."
Australia were on their way when player-of-the-tournament Mitchell Starc bowled Kiwis captain Brendon McCullum for a duck . The left-arm quick said it was a planned move.
"There were plenty of nerves but it was a little plan Craig McDermott and I have been working on. It was just nice to see it come off, in front of a packed MCG was amazing," he said.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was in the mood to celebrate too.
"We delivered on the biggest stage," he said. "It's a great feeling at the moment, so I'm going to try and have a beer with every Australian in the stadium, it's going to be a fun night."
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