
Thousands of fans have flooded Melbourne's Federation Square to celebrate Australia's World Cup victory after they smashed their way to a seven-wicket win against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup Final.

The 15 players and coach Darren Lehmann sat on stage in front of their adoring fans on Monday morning, with player of the match James Faulkner and man of the series Mitchell Starc speaking to the crowd.

Michael Clarke received the biggest applause after the batsman announced his retirement from one day cricket following their World Cup victory.

He assured the fans the team had made the most of celebrating their win, with all players sitting on stage wearing sunglasses the morning after.

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Thousands of fans have flooded Melbourne's Federation Square to celebrate Australia's World Cup victory after they smashed their way to a seven-wicket win against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup Final

Fans of all ages flocked to Federation Square to catch a glimpse of the 15 winning players, including captain Michael Clarke

More than 93,000 fans packed into the MCG on Sunday to watch Clarke cap his stellar one-day career with a commanding final innings of 74 runs that helped secured Australia its fifth title.

Australian stars including Steve Smith – who scored the winning run with 17 overs to spare - and David Warner soaked up the atmosphere after the win as celebrations among the record crowd kicked off.

The dejected New Zealand team was forced to watch on, after coming so close to giving its country a first Cricket World Cup crown.

The celebrations soon moved into the MCG change rooms, where players held up the trophy as they posed with family members and loved ones.

Michael Clarke received the biggest applause after the batsman announced his retirement from one day cricket following their World Cup victory

Shane Watson posed for selfies with adoring fans the morning after their big World Cup win

The 15 players and coach Darren Lehmann sat on stage in front of their adoring fans on Monday morning, with player of the match James Faulkner and man of the series Mitchell Starc speaking to the crowd

More than 93,000 fans packed into the MCG on Sunday to watch Clarke cap his stellar one-day career with a commanding final innings of 74 runs that helped secured Australia its fifth title

Captain Michael Clarke holds the trophy aloft as Australian players celebrate winning the World Cup Final

Australian players uncork the celebrations after winning the Cricket World Cup

Clarke said he was thrilled with the success.

'I'm over the moon,' he said. 'To all the fans, it's been an amazing turnout throughout the tournament.

'I couldn't have asked for anything more since coming back to the team. They way we've played, we deserve to be standing here.

'It's been an honour and a privilege to represent my country. Tonight has been extra special.'

Clarke also remembered his mate Phillip Hughes, who was tragically killed in an on-field accident last year.

'For everyone in Australian cricket it has been a tough few months,' he said. Earlier, Clarke paid tribute to Hughes as he left the field after losing his wicket, raising his bat and his eyes briefing skyward and touching a black armband he was wearing.

'We played this world cup with 16 players and tonight is dedicated to our little brother and our teammate Phillip Hughes.'

Australian captain Michael Clarke celebrates after reaching his half-century, in his final one-day match

Michael Clarke walks off the field for the final time in a one-day match after being dismissed for 74

Michael Clarke kisses the trophy as he poses for cameras after the World Cup Final

Potential captain Steve Smith was also superb for the Aussies after he survived a scare when he edged the ball onto the stumps but the bails stayed on.

Smith hit the winning run in the 33rd over, when he flicked the ball through square-leg to get Australian celebrations underway.

Earlier, David Warner scored 45 to put Australia in a strong position at 2-130 after 25 overs. Warner scored at nearly a run a ball in his innings, which included seven boundaries. It helped steady Australia after Aaron Finch was dismissed for a duck.

James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson took three wickets each in New Zealand’s innings of 183 all out in 45 overs. Mitchell Starc took two, and secured the crucial wicket of Kiwi slugger Brendon McCullum.

Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly Clarke pose with the World Cup trophy after Australia's win

The retiring captain paid silent tribute to his friend Phillip Hughes, who died in an on-field accident last years, as he left the MCG field after getting out in the final overs of the match

David Warner and Aaron Finch lift retiring captain Michael Clarke onto their shoulders after the win

The ecstatic Australian players pose for a photo with the glittering gold World Cup trophy

David Warner and Steve Smith drape themselves in the Australian flag after winning the World Cup Final

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins celebrate in the change rooms after the World Cup Final

David Warner, his fiance Candice Falzon and their daughter Ivy Warner kitted out in green and gold celebrating Australia's win

Michael Clarke takes a seat by his name badge and poses with the trophy in the change rooms

Steve Smith and his partner Dani Willis pose with the trophy

Shane Watson celebrates with his arms held high as the winning runs are scored

David Warner and Steve Smith take a lap of honour around the MCG after winning the World Cup Final

The Australian players charge onto the field to celebrate their victory

Steve Smith and Shane Watson embrace in the middle of the MCG after the win

Michael Clarke smiles as he answers questions during a press conference following his team's seven wicket win

Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and David Warner jump for joy as Australia is crowned champions

The New Zealand captain paid tribute to the Australians after the defeat, and said his side had plenty to be proud of.

'Australia is a great side,' McCullum said.

'This is the greatest stage you can ask for, we've had the opportunity as a group of guys to go on this amazing ride.

'We still have some work to do, but we can be very proud.'

Australian bowler James Faulkner was named man of the match, and fellow Australian bowler Mitchell Starc was named man of the tournament.

'I've worked really hard for a number of months...to see it come to fruition today and the whole tournament was fantastic,' Starc said.

The crowd was a record for a world cup match. Thousands of fans dressed in their team's colours and waving flags thronged the streets all around the MCG.

However, Australia's chase got off to a rocky start, with opener Aaron Finch out for a duck.

The Australian wicket-keeper came under social media fire for his exuberant send off of Martin Guptill in the World Cup final.

Steve Smith and Shane Watson celebrate the moment the winning run was scored in the World Cup Final

New Zealand's players watch on dejectedly as the Australian players are presented with their medals

Australian opener Aaron Finch was out for a duck

Kyly Clarke, wife of Australian captain Michael Clarke, looks on during the final

There were not many empty seats at the MCG as a record crowd watched the final

Treasurer Joe Hockey and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key shared a laugh during the final

Australia's David Warner flicks the ball away as New Zealand's Luke Ronchi watches

A New Zealand fan watches on in disbelief as his country comes up short in the World Cup Final

A kiwi supporter in Auckland looks on the verge of tears as her country falls to defeat

A pair of New Zealand fans can barely watch as Australia wins the Cricket World Cup

Brad Haddin, David Warner and Aaron Finch sing the national anthem before the World Cup final

A pair of Aussie fans soak up some sun and enjoy the atmosphere at the MCG

More than 93,000 fans packed the MCG to watch Australia storm to victory

Australia's Brad Haddin has come under social media fire for his exuberant send off of Martin Guptill in the World Cup final

Former England bowler Alex Tudor was one of many who reacted to the incident online, and called Haddin a 'muppet'

James Faulkner celebrates after taking the wicket of Corey Anderson

Candice Falzon, fiance of Australia's opening batsman David Warner, looks on with their daughter Ivy Warner as the match begins

Cricket supporters walk from the city to the ground to attend the World Cup final match between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne

An army of New Zealand fans helped create an amazing atmosphere for the final

Black Cap supporters make it clear that it's New Zealand player Daniel Vettori that they've come to see play

This couple are happy to support their countries without any problems - for now at least

The New Zealand and Australia teams stand together for the national anthems before the start of the match

After the Kiwi was bowled by Glenn Maxwell, Haddin made no effort to hide his joy in reminding the batsman his work for the day was done.

Former England bowler Alex Tudor was one of many who reacted to the incident online, and called Haddin a 'muppet'.

Haddin also clashed with Grant Elliott, who successfully appealed against an LBW decision.

The banter was bound to be good-natured as normal between the two sets of supporters - though exactly how good-natured it was after New Zealand's captain and star batsman Brendan McCullum was bowled for nought is questionable.

New Zealand’s former captain Martin Crowe, who is terminally ill with lymphoma, penned a moving tribute to his countrymen ahead of the big encounter.

In a column published on Cricinfo, the 52-year-old said Sunday’s match at the MCG might be the last he ever sees.

‘My precarious life ahead may not afford me the luxury of many more games to watch and enjoy,’ Crowe wrote.

‘So this is likely to be it. The last, maybe, and I can happily live with that.’

New Zealand have a 100% record in the tournament having played all their games at home, so this was going to be their biggest test of the competition at the MCG.

After the shock loss of McCullum the Black Caps they were able to steady the ship getting to 132 for three after 30 overs, with batsman Grant Elliot hitting another 50 not out and looking comfortable.

The BBC's statistics department made the point that Elliott is the fifth man to score half-centuries both in a World Cup semi-final and final. England's Mike Brearley did it in 1979, Australia's David Boon in 1987, Javed Miandad in 1992 for India and Sri Lanka's Aravinda de Silva in 1996.

Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum

McCullum, the Black Caps' star batsman, can only trudge away disconsolately after being bowled for a duck by Starc

These Australian supporters were all dressed up and looking the part for Sunday's World Cup Final in Melbourne

These two New Zealand supporters can only hope and pray that they can eventually get their hands on a few tickets

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson can't contain his joy after grabbing the wicket of New Zealand's Kane Williamson

Michael Clarke, James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell of Australia react after Maxwell bowled New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill

Steve Smith of Australia makes a gallant attempt to catch New Zealand's Grant Elliott during Sunday's World Cup Final

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell appeals for a wicket against the Black Caps on Sunday



