Australia Takes Cricket World Cup in Tame Final Match With New Zealand · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

The battle for the World Cup of Cricket is in full swing
Courtesy Flickr user Percita (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Australia has triumphed in the final of the Cricket World Cup 2015. After bowling out tournament co-hosts New Zealand for 183, the Aussies reached the target in 33.1 overs for the loss of just three wickets. The game was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of crowd of 93,013.
Pakistan fan Ali captured the feelings of many cricket followers about the result:
“Australia won the World Cup.. & New Zealand have won our Hearts #AUSvsNZ #CWCFinal“
— AL工 (@Syed_Zaidier) March 29, 2015
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was a popular winner as best player of the World Cup contest:
Player of the Tournament, Mitchell Starc, shows off his Winners #cwc15 medal! What a #TwitterMirror! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/d25277IUYp
— ICC (@ICC) March 29, 2015
It was Michael Clarke’s last game as Australian captain of the One Day International team who compete in the 50 over competition. Fittingly, he was his side’s highest scorer with 74.
And Michael Clarke bids farewell to ODI cricket as a World champion! Congrats Australia! #CWC15 #CWCFinal #NZvAUS #5xWorldChamps
— Jyøthi$ Philip (@IamJyothis) March 29, 2015
Clarke dedicated the win to Philip Hughes, his teammate and friend who was killed in a cricket accident last year.
World Cup 2015: It's for little brother Phil Hughes, says Clarke http://t.co/GD7Ewd1Ecj
— Sports (@TheSports99) March 30, 2015
The Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum was hailed on Twitter for his leadership and contribution throughout the tournament.
What an inspiring player Brendon McCullum is, he spoke so well & should be proud of the @BLACKCAPS & their amazing tournament #CWCFinal
— suraj prakash (@surajp253) March 29, 2015
Cricket World Cup 2015 Final – Courtesy Flickr user Tourism Victoria (CC BY 2.0)
There were sour moments when Australia’s wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was criticised for sledging (insulting a player from the opposing team). Many tweets contrasted the sporting spirits of the two teams:
A picture speaks a thousands words #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/NXPXa6o1cy
— Momina Zahid (@monazzz38) March 29, 2015
Another concern centred around the blending of alcohol, advertising and sport:
#CWC2015 #Cricket World Cup: Alcohol-drenched culture needs to change #goodsports http://t.co/EPt1jgARDT
— Luciane Lauffer (@lulauffer) March 30, 2015
Controversial cricketing icon and commentator, former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne, copped criticism for his post-match call for drinks:
Drink anyone…. #AUSvNZ #CWC15 #pleaseshane #myshout #warnie pic.twitter.com/r8Ww0cxUdD
— Jenny Aldridge (@Jennisports) March 29, 2015
Warnie was not put off by his critics:
Do gooders get stuffed. Straya is the best place in the world, not politically correct, keep it real. Aussies celebrate properly ! #thirsty
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 29, 2015
Many were disappointed that the game was not closer and more exciting:
Such a shame that one of the dullest games is saved for the #CWC2015Final after such a great #CWC15
— Ian Pont (@Ponty100mph) March 29, 2015
But the social media verdict on the whole tournament was clear (complete with misspelling):
True #aus #CWC15Final #CWC15 #AUSvNZ @CAComms pic.twitter.com/Do94agWKKA
— Momin (@iamm0min) March 30, 2015