New Zealand showed a poor batting performance and were all out for 183 runs in 45 overs in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc bowled the opposition captain Brendon McCullum for a duck at the 5th ball of the first over. The Black Caps lost their fist wicket for only 1 run. Later in the 12th over, Glenn Maxwell also bowled another opener Martin Guptill (15). In the very next over, Mitchell Johnson erased Kane Williamson (12). From the early jolt, Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor slowly repaired the damages and took the innings past hundred with a 111-run fourth wicket partnership. Elliot reached his 9th half-century on the last ball of 28th over hitting 3 fours and a six off 51 balls. But James Faulkner struck in the 36th over and broke the partnership claiming Taylor’s wicket. Faulkner also eliminated Corey Anderson for a duck in the 3rd delivery of the over. Taylor scored 40 off 72 balls hitting only 2 boundaries. Elliott was eventually caught by Aussie wicketkeeper Haddin in the 5th delivery of 42th over bowled by Faulkner. The 36-year right-hand batsman scored 83 runs off 82 balls with 7 fours and one six. New Zealand lower order could not able to stretch the innings and the Black Caps were all out for 183 in 45 overs. Aussie fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner claimed three wickets each for 30 and 36 runs respectively. Besides, Mitchell Starc took two wieckets for 20 while Glenn Maxwell 1 for 37. Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first against Australia. The Black Caps have made no change to their winning XI nor have Australia. The match began at 9:30 am (Bangladesh time) at Melbourne Cricket Ground and is being telecast live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 4, BTV, GTV and Maasranga TV. New Zealand Team MJ Guptill, BB McCullum (captain), KS Williamson, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, CJ Anderson, L Ronchi (wicketkeeper), DL Vettori, MJ Henry, TG Southee, TA Boult. Australia Team AJ Finch, DA Warner, SPD Smith, MJ Clarke (captain), SR Watson, GJ Maxwell, JP Faulkner, BJ Haddin (wicketkeeper), MG Johnson, MA Starc, JR Hazlewood.
