Australia win Cricket World Cup

Australia have won the Cricket World Cup for the fifth time in their history, beating New Zealand comfortably in Melbourne on Sunday.

The victory was a fitting send-off for Australia's captain Michael Clarke, who called time on his One Day International career just before the game at the MCG.

Clarke, who helped his team to victory with a 112-run partnership together with Steve Smith, was dismissed late in the game for 74. It was one of only a few slip-ups in Australia's successful run chase, which ended with over 100 balls to spare.

"I thought it was a fitting farewell for Michael Clarke. I wish he was there with me at the end," Steve Smith said, after the game.

"We wanted to play our best game at the end of the tournament and win it three down is unbelievable."

Starc's bowling decisive

Earlier in the day, in front of a packed house in Melbourne, Mitchell Starc had started things off on the right foot for Australia, dismissing the New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum for a duck.

New Zealand struggled to build partnerships throughout their innings, with quarterfinal hero Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson both dismissed cheaply.

Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot were able to combine for a 111 run partnership for the fourth wicket, but after Taylor fell to a smart catch from Brad Haddin, New Zealand's batting fell apart again. The team then lost its last 5 wickets for just 33 runs.

Despite Australia going into the World Cup as favorites, New Zealand surprised many with their performances at the tournament. The Blackcaps, as they are also known, were undefeated until the final.