Despite winning what looked to be a crucial toss, the Black Caps' innings was fraught with difficulty after they lost influential captain Brendon McCullum inside the first over.

They were eventually skittled for 183, a target which the rampant Aussies reached with ease, thanks largely to captain Michael Clarke's 74 and Steve Smith's excellent run of form that saw him hit an unbeaten 56.

The result sent the packed-out crowd inside the iconic MCG into raptures as Australia maintained their dominance of the one-day format with a crushing victory over their rivals.

For New Zealand, they could not quite replicate the displays they had put on for large periods of the tournament as their first Cricket World Cup final ended in disappointment.

Australian captain Michael Clarke ended his one-day career in perfect style as he hit 74 to help his side claim their fifth World Cup crown ©Getty Images



Playing their first match at the competition on Australian soil following six successive victories in New Zealand, McCullum's side seemed to have taken the advantage almost immediately by winning the toss on a pitch many thought would be conducive to high scoring.

But McCullum, eager to guide his team to their maiden World Cup title, started in rash fashion before he was bowled superbly with a rasping yorker from Mitchell Starc.

That set the tone for New Zealand, who struggled throughout against a fired-up Australian bowling attack led once again by the impressive Mitchell Johnson and Starc as both players each claimed three wickets.

Grant Elliott, a crucial figure in his team's dramatic semi-final win over South Africa, did offer some stern resistance as he hit a plucky 83, but it didn't prove enough as New Zealand were all out for 183.

A record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed Australia's fifth World Cup victory ©Getty Images

From that moment on, the destination of the World Cup trophy never looked in doubt.

Despite losing opener Aaron Finch early in their innings, David Warner's 45 gave Australia a good platform to substantiate a successful run chase.

Once Warner departed, New Zealand got the faintest sniff of Aussie blood, but Clarke and Smith successfully negotiated a tense period of pressure.

Clarke, playing his last ever one-day international, demonstrated his vast array of shots on his way to a brilliant 74.

However, there was to be no fairytale century for Clarke after he was the last man to fall, before Smith hit the winning runs to give Australia a victory inside 34 overs to ensure they got their hands on the trophy once again.

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