World Cup Final - Australia v New Zealand

Australia v New Zealand

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
When: Mar 28, 2015 03:30 GMT, 23:30 EDT, 09:00 IST
New Zealand 183 (45.0 ov) lost to Australia 186/3 (33.1 ov) by 7 wickets.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia put together an outstanding performance to lift the world cup. New Zealand three early wickets which really affected the scoring rate. New Zealand were 3/39 in 13th over when Eliott joined Taylor. They put together 111 runs for the 4th wicket but once Taylor fell in the 35th over, it was all over for New Zealand, rest of the batsmen kept throwing away their wicket rounding up at 183 in 45 overs. Australia did not have much problem reaching the target even though they lost Finch in the second over itself. It was a professional and dominating performance by the young Australian team.



New Zealand vs Australia - Match Highlights

Preview

New Zealand and Australia face each other for the title. Australia have won their last six matches at the MCG, going back to 2012. New Zealand beat Australia at MCG in 2009. New Zealand is inform team of this world cup, however Australia has home ground advantage.

"New Zealand have been the form team of the competition. New Zealand have beaten us once in this tournament. But I'm confident if we play our best, we can beat them tomorrow." - Michael Clarke

India vs Australia Semi Final

India vs Australia - Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi Final

Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
When: Mar 26, 2015 03:30 GMT, 23:30 EDT, 09:00 IST
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first.
Australia 328/7 (50.0 overs) defeated India 233 (46.5 overs) by 95 runs.

Australia go through to the World Cup final, India, the defending champions, lose their title as well as an 11-match unbeaten run.

It was an heartbreaking match for the Indian cricket fans. Australia lost the first wicket early but Finch (81) and Smith (105) took control of the game with 182 run partnership. India took four quick wickets but it was too late. Australians kept slogging and took the score to 328/7 at the end of 50th over. Indian bowers were not as effective as they have been throughout the world cup so far. Indian inning started with dropped catches and missed chances but the opening pair somehow survived until 13th over when Dhawan departed at Indian score of 76. Kohli wasted 13 bowls before returning back. India kept losing wickets and were all out for 233 in the 47th over. Dhoni (44) and Rahane (65) were the only batsmen showing some resistance.

India vs Australia - Full Match Highlights

Umesh takes 4 for 42 - Highlights

Preview

India and Australia face each other in what is being called "a Final before a Final". India has been on a roll and on high confidence but Australia has upper hand psychologically and will have the huge advantage of playing in front of home crowd and home ground. Australian team has asked for a green pitch hoping to make it harder for the Indian batsmen to play shots. However it is a double edged sword since Indian seamers have also been able to exploit faster pitches and take wickets. They have definitely learnt a lot playing in these conditions for last three months and Australin pitches are like home to them now.

India v Bangladesh Quarter Final

India vs Bangladesh - Cricket World Cup 2015

Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
When: Mar 14, 2015 03:30 GMT, 23:30 EDT, 09:00 IST
India won the toss and have elected to bat first.

Bangladesh made a strong start by sending Dhawan and Kohli back to the pavilion at 79 in 18 overs. However Rohit Sharma played sensibly and rebuilt the inning first with Rahane and then Raina to frustrate and disappoint Bangladesh. Rohit scored maiden world cup century and was eventually out for 137. India managed to cross the physiological score of 300. Bangladesh batsmen could not handle the pressure and kept losing wickets at regular interval eventually folding out at 193 in 45 overs.
India vs Bangladesh - India Inning Highlights

India vs Bangladesh - Full Match Highlights

India 302/6 (50.0 ov) defeated Bangladesh 193 (45.0 ov) by 109 runs.

Preview

Bangladesh is the lowest ranked amongst the eight teams that made to the world cup quarter final stage. India is in much better position to win this game because of their current form in the world cup. But Bangladesh is on a roll and recently eliminated England from the cup. Their confidence is high. Mashrafe Mortaza missed Bangladesh's last group game against New Zealand, but will be back to lead the side.

MS Dhoni: "It just gets harder and harder. What makes it easy it to make good plans, and then try to execute them well. Looking to improve and there is still scope for that."