More you see of Grant Elliott, more impressed you are. He just loves batting when there is pressure. He loves to be at his best when New Zealand team needs him the most. The 2015 World Cup final match against Australia was one such occasion and he carried on from where he left after the semi-final encounter against South Africa.
Elliott fought against all odds and played one of the best World Cup final knocks in front of the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. But in the end, Elliott and his team had to bow down to Australia’s relentless effort to be the best in the world. At the end of 45 over, New Zealand were dismissed for 183. Australia now need 186 from 50 overs to win the World Cup for the fifth time.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bat. But he got a gem of a delivery from Mitchell Starc in the very first over of the match that sent him back into the pavilion.
When Elliott came to the crease, New Zealand were reeling at 39 for three in 11.2 overs and from there, he salvaged the New Zealand innings with a struggling Ross Taylor (40 off 72 balls). The due also shared a 111-run stand for the fourth wicket off 22.5 overs and this was the only dominating part of the New Zealand. Otherwise, it was Australia, the four times world champions, all the way.
There was no looking back from the time their pace battery — Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Starc – kept the New Zealand top-order guessing. Just when New Zealand looked set to post a very decent score, Aussie paceman James Faulkner came in between and got three wickets to his credit. With subtle variations, he tricked Taylor and Luke Ronchi in no time and that reduced New Zealand to a score of 151 for 6 in the 37 over.
He later came back to claim the prized wicket of Elliott, who eventually made a solid 83 off 82 balls (7×4, 1×6). He got out in the 42nd over of the New Zealand innings and could have waited a bit more before taking the decision to go after the Aussies bowling as he was running out of partner. Elliott also survived two leg-before-wicket decisions that went to the third umpire. One was in the 20th and the other in the 40th.
For Australia, Johnson was also a very important performer. He was immaculate with his line, length and pace to keep the New Zealand constantly on the back-foot to give his team those crucial breakthroughs. At the top of the order, he got the wicket of Kane Williamson. Australia’s Michael Clarke, who is playing his last ODI match for his team, was smart as a captain. He did everything to make this match a memorable one for Australia.
