2015 Cricket World Cup: Australia and New Zealand's Home Triumph

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand was one of the tournament's most entertaining editions, featuring high-scoring matches, multiple upsets, and a final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that drew over 93,000 fans. Australia won their fifth ODI World Cup; co-host New Zealand reached their first final.

New Zealand's Unbeaten Group Stage

Brendon McCullum led New Zealand through their best-ever World Cup campaign. They won all six group-stage games, beating England, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in thrilling fashion. Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, and Martin Guptill provided unforgettable moments. Guptill's 237* against West Indies in the quarter-final remained the highest individual score in World Cup history.

AB de Villiers' 149

In a quarter-final against West Indies in Sydney, AB de Villiers scored 162* off 66 balls — one of the fastest and most destructive innings in World Cup history. South Africa won by 257 runs; de Villiers' innings featured 17 fours and 8 sixes and included the fastest 50 (16 balls) and fastest 100 (31 balls) in ODI World Cup history.

The Final

The Melbourne final attracted 93,013 spectators — the largest crowd ever for a cricket World Cup match. Australia beat New Zealand by 7 wickets, with Michael Clarke's farewell century and James Faulkner's innings guiding them home. It was Clarke's last major innings as captain before his retirement.