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Preview: After 48 matches involving teams from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe cricket’s global showcase has distilled itself into a local derby. Australia and New Zealand welcomed 12 other nations to the Cricket World Cup but saved the final for themselves, ensuring Sunday’s championship match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will feature the tournament’s two best teams and will be permeated by one of world sport’s most heart-felt rivalries. [caption id=“attachment_2178277” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Brendon McCullum. Getty[/caption] In trying to characterize that rivalry, commentators have evoked a game of backyard cricket between siblings: the older brother (Australia) accustomed to dominating the younger; the younger brother (New Zealand) eager for a win to further establish its own identity and to win its rival’s respect. The status as favorite is disputed but only in the sense each team has tried to confer it on the other. Australia says New Zealand is the favorite as the form team of the tournament, unbeaten to this stage and the winner, by one wicket, of the match between the teams in pool play. New Zealand says four-time champion Australia is the favorite as the home team, master of its own conditions and winner of more than two-thirds of all one-day internationals between them. It’s a heart and head calculation in which Australia is the experts’ pick, New Zealand the sentimental favorite. Australia should have the support of most of the MCG crowd on Sunday and of millions of compatriots in a country where cricket is the national summer sport. But the New Zealand team’s support will extend well beyond its 4.4 million countrymen and women. As each team has been eliminated from the tournament, most-recently India, many of those fans have transferred their support to New Zealand as the alternative team they would most prefer to win. Part of that is the natural tendency to support the underdog, unrated New Zealand against top-ranked Australia, but it goes further. Cricket fans around the world have been captivated by New Zealand’s progress through the tournament, by its aggressive, risk-taking style of play and by the humility of its players, most-often represented by captain Brendon McCullum. “We’ve done some amazing things over the last little while,” McCullum said Saturday. “We’ve had some tremendous support back home and from around the world. I think the brand of cricket we’ve played has touched a lot of people and endeared us to a lot of people who follow this game. “It’s probably no secret that most of the other teams around the world would probably prefer New Zealand to win than Australia.” Australia captain Michael Clarke might have pared back some of that sentimental advantage in announcing Sunday’s match will be his last ODI for Australia. Clarke says he won’t prepare differently, but the decision he announced unexpectedly Saturday adds a new, emotional context to a match already rich with nuance and subtext. “It’s a special game, no doubt about it,” Clarke said. “But it needs to be about the team. It’s not emotion, it’s skill that helps you win major games and major tournaments and tomorrow will be no different. “I will train no harder today. I will study New Zealand no harder than I did last time we played them. I will sleep no worse tonight than I ever do. I’ll be no less nervous before I walk out to bat. The feeling is exactly the same — if we can win that would be icing on the cake.” McCullum said when the World Cup began New Zealand dreamed of making the final — something it has never previously achieved — but it dreamed more specifically of a final against Australia in Australia. “I think that’s a fair call — 100,000 people in Australia’s backyard, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the history and traditions and against a very good Australian team,” he said. “It’s been a great ride so far. I guess this is the ultimate game for us to be able to play in everyone’s career. That certainly whets the appetite and creates the greatest stage we can ask for.” Central to that staging is the historic rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. “The rivalry between the two countries is, I think, a healthy rivalry,” McCullum said. “We’ve seen some epic battles over the years (and) it’s not just cricket and rugby. “We’ve seen tremendous battles between the two and both countries have stopped while the teams are playing respective sports. So tomorrow is no different. It’s a healthy rivalry which will continue well after our time.” AP
World Cup Final, Australia vs New Zealand as it happened: Australia crush New Zealand to lift the World Cup
Live scores and updates from the final of the ICC World Cup 2015 between Australia and New Zealand.
 "World Cup Final, Australia vs New Zealand as it happened: Australia crush New Zealand to lift the World Cup")
Catches, falls and sixes: Australia win World Cup final against New Zealand http://t.co/DgJhJmpowx pic.twitter.com/oHejZqKjjQ
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 29, 2015
The entire Australian team takes a lap of honour around the MCG. They are having super fun. Brilliant scenes. #AUSvNZ http://t.co/1rTUkDB7AA
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 29, 2015
That winning moment #CWC15Final pic.twitter.com/2gQX6iSBk8
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 29, 2015
#CWC15
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 29, 2015
Winners: Aus
Runner-Ups: NZ
Most Runs: Guptill 547
Most Wkts: Starc & Boult 22
Highest inns: 237* Guptill
Best bowling: 7/33 Southee
Yes, @stevesmith49! #GoGold http://t.co/Rurg00v0S5 #cwc15 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/Ee6meIIczp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 29, 2015
Steve Smith's last five scores in the tournament: 95, 72, 65, 105, 56 not out. The leader in waiting.
— richard hobson (@richardjhobson) March 29, 2015
That’s it! Australia crush New Zealand by 7 wickets to lift the World Cup!
Smith pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary and sets off in celebrations. The entire Australian team runs onto the field. The crowd has gone berserk. Smith can’t control his emotions. 5th time World Champions!
After 33 overs, Australia 182/3 (Smith 52, Watson 2)
A good over from Southee. He conceded just two runs and bowled in the blockhole consistently.
After 32 overs, Australia 180/3 (Smith 51, Watson 1)
Six runs and a wicket off the Henry over. Australia need just 4 runs to win.
OUT! Clarke departs! M Clarke b Henry 74 (72b 10×4 1×6), After 31.1 overs, Australia 175/3 (Smith 48)
Henry gets the wicket. Clarke gets a standing ovation as he walks off, McCullum runs over to congratulate him. It’s a good length delivery outside off, Clarke stays back and looks to guide but gets an inside edge onto the stumps.
Shane Watson strides out to the middle.
After 31 overs, Australia 174/2 (Smith 47, Clarke 74)
Clarke in sumptuous form. He lofts one over mid on for a four, then cracks one through extra cover, he then smashes a couple through point for four fours in the over. He takes a single to fine leg to make it 17 runs from the over. Australia need just 10 runs now.
After 30 overs, Australia 157/2 (Smith 47, Clarke 57)
Clarke drives one through extra cover for a boundary and then slashes it to third man for a single. 6 runs off the over.
After 29 overs, Australia 151/2 (Smith 46, Clarke 52)
Australia are looking to finish it off now. Smith punches one through covers for a couple and then gooes for a drive but gets an outside edge to third man for a streaky four. He then goes for a wild swing but gets an inside edge to the leg side for a couple. Clarke then lofts one over mid off for a couple. 11 runs off the over. 33 required off 21.
After 28 overs, Australia 140/2 (Smith 37, Clarke 50)
Tight over from Boult. Just a single off it. Australia need 44 more from 22 overs.
LIVE 139/2 (27) | That's 50 for @MClarke23 and he receives a standing ovation! #AUSvNZ #CWC15 #WWOS pic.twitter.com/7C5rNTsjrk
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) March 29, 2015
After 27 overs, Australia 139/2 (Smith 36, Clarke 50)
Clarke all at ease and Australia are cruising. 5 runs off the over and Clarke got to his fifty in that Vettori over.
FIFTY for Clarke!
Clarke gets to his 58th fifty in his last ODI. He’s leading from the front on the biggest stage! Five fours and a six so far in his innings.
After 26 overs, Australia 134/2 (Smith 34, Clarke 47)
Clarke showing his class. After playing out 5 dots, Clarke smashes oen straight back past Boult for four.
After 25 overs, Australia 130/2 (Smith 34, Clarke 43)
Clarke looking ominous now. After a couple of singles, he clips one through mid-wicket for a couple and then he charges down the track and lofts it over long off for a six. 9 runs off the over.
After 24 overs, Australia 119/2 (Smith 33, Clarke 33)
As expected, McCullum brings Anderson into the attack. Australia upping the ante. Clarke cracks one through covers for three. Smith then tucks one to square leg for a couple. One single and one wide makes it 7 runs from the over.
After 23 overs, Australia 112/2 (Smith 30, Clarke 30)
McCullum still giving it his all. Clarke punches it through covers, McCullum chases, slides and pulls it back inside. Saves a run. Clarke then thumps one over mid on for a boundary. 9 runs off the over. Boult has lost his pace, Vettori looks unfit and nothing much happening for Henry. McCullum needs to bring on Anderson.
After 22 overs, Australia 103/2 (Smith 28, Clarke 23)
Three singles off the Vettori over. He isn’t getting turn and it’s all too easy for the Aussie batsmen.
After 21 overs, Australia 100/2 (Smith 26, Clarke 22)
Nothing much happening. Just two singles off Henry. 84 needed off 29 overs now.
After 20 overs, Australia 98/2 (Smith 25, Clarke 21)
Just three singles off the Vettori over. He seems to be having problems with his left leg. 86 needed off 30 overs.
After 19 overs, Australia 95/2 (Smith 24, Clarke 19)
Clarke living at the ‘EDGE’. He slashes at one but gets a top edge over slip cordon for a boundary. He then slashes at the next and it goes just over gully for consecutive fours. Smith had driven Henry through covers earlier for three. 12 runs off the over.
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