ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia's Fifth Title, Beat New Zealand in Melbourne Final, Starc 22 Wickets
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was the eleventh edition of the Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February-March 2015. Australia won the tournament for the fifth time, defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 29 March 2015. New Zealand posted 183 and Australia reached the target with 5 balls to spare. Michael Clarke — playing in his final match in his home city — scored 74. Mitchell Starc took 22 wickets at 10.18 in the tournament — the most wickets ever taken in a single World Cup. James Faulkner was named Man of the Match in the final for his 3/36.
The 2015 Cricket World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand across 14 venues in February and March 2015. It was the first World Cup using the day-night pink ball in a semi-final (Australia beat India at Sydney under lights). The tournament used a new format: two pools of seven teams each, with the top four from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals. New Zealand were the form team of the tournament — unbeaten in the group stage and dominant through the knockout rounds — while Australia recovered from inconsistency in the group stage to peak at the semi-finals.
Mitchell Starc: 22 Wickets at 10.18 — Tournament Record
Mitchell Starc took 22 wickets at 10.18 in the 2015 World Cup — the most wickets ever taken in a single World Cup by any bowler. His fast-left-arm deliveries with reverse swing and conventional inswing were devastating, particularly with the pink ball in day-night conditions. His best performance was 6 for 28 against New Zealand in the pool stage in Auckland — the best World Cup bowling figures at the time. He was named Player of the Tournament.
The Final: Australia Beat New Zealand at the MCG
In the final on 29 March 2015 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, New Zealand were bowled out for 183. Australia reached the target with 7 wickets and 5 balls to spare. Michael Clarke — playing his last match in his home city of Melbourne — scored 74 from 72 balls in an emotional innings. James Faulkner took 3 for 36 and was named Man of the Match. It was Australia's fifth World Cup title (after 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007). Clarke retired from all cricket shortly after the tournament due to a back injury that had been managing his career for two years.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2015 Cricket World Cup?
Australia won the 2015 Cricket World Cup, defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 March 2015. New Zealand posted 183 and Australia reached the target with 5 balls to spare. Michael Clarke scored 74 in his final match. James Faulkner (3/36) was named Man of the Match. It was Australia's fifth World Cup title. Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Tournament for his 22 wickets at 10.18 — the most wickets taken in a single World Cup.
What record did Mitchell Starc set at the 2015 World Cup?
Mitchell Starc took 22 wickets at 10.18 in the 2015 Cricket World Cup — the most wickets taken by any bowler in a single World Cup tournament. His best performance was 6 for 28 against New Zealand in the pool stage in Auckland. He was named Player of the Tournament. His combination of left-arm pace, conventional inswing, and reverse swing — particularly with the pink ball in day-night conditions — made him the dominant bowler in the tournament.