The 2015 World Cup stands as a hallmark moment in the history of international cricket. It captivated the global sports community with its thrilling displays of skill and competition. This edition of the cricketing spectacle brought together teams worldwide, each contesting for supremacy on the grand stage. With unparalleled enthusiasm and zeal, the 2015 World Cup showcased the pinnacle of cricketing prowess. It left a memorable mark on the hearts of fans and etched the performances of players into the annals of the sport’s chronicles.

So, let’s discuss this exciting edition of the ODI World Cup in detail.

Background

The 11th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup featured the thrilling men’s national teams contest in the One Day International (ODI) format. Governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Australia and New Zealand jointly hosted this prestigious tournament from February 14 to March 29, 2015. Notably, this marked the tournament’s return to the region since its previous occurrence during the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Comprising 14 teams, the event was meticulously divided into two pools of seven teams each. Within these pools, every participating team engaged in a single match against each of their counterparts. The top four teams from each pool secured their advancement to the subsequent knockout phase, marked by riveting quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the ultimate championship clash.

Group Stage

A total of 42 matches took place during the tournament’s group stage, offering an extensive display of cricketing prowess. The quarter-finals welcomed the top four teams from each pool, intensifying the competition.

When two or more teams found themselves tied with the same number of points after completing six matches, the team with the most significant number of wins was given precedence in ranking. In situations where tied teams had an equal count of victories, their placement was determined based on their net run rate, adding a layer of scrutiny to their performance.

Pool A

Pool A in the 2015 World Cup, comprising seven teams, showcased a dynamic blend of skills, strategies, and aspirations on the global stage. Teams from different corners of the cricketing world, including Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Scotland, locked horns in thrilling encounters.

Each team embarked on a mission to secure their place among the top four, determined to progress to the knockout phase and inch closer to the ultimate glory. After weeks of exciting and captivating matches, the top four teams, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, advanced to the quarter-finals.

Here are the standings of Pool A teams after group stage matches:

Pool A	Matches	Won	Lost	No Result	Points	Net Run Rate
New Zealand	6	6	0	0	12	2.564
Australia	6	4	1	1	9	2.257
Sri Lanka	6	4	2	0	8	0.371
Bangladesh	6	3	2	1	7	0.136
England	6	2	4	0	4	-0.753
Afghanistan	6	1	5	0	2	-1.853
Scotland	6	0	6	0	0	-2.218

Pool B

Pool B in the 2015 World Cup brought together a diverse assembly of cricketing powerhouses and emerging forces, creating a cauldron of intense competition. Comprised of seven teams, this group encompassed an array of cricketing styles, talents, and ambitions.

The participating nations, including India, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates, engaged in exhilarating clashes. Each team relentlessly striving to secure a coveted spot among the top four. India, South Africa, Pakistan, and the West Indies progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup.

Here are the standings of Pool A teams after group stage matches:

POOL B	Matches	Won	Lost	No Result	Points	Net Run Rate
India	6	6	0	0	12	1.827
South Africa	6	4	2	0	8	1.707
Pakistan	6	4	2	0	8	-0.085
West Indies	6	3	3	0	6	-0.053
Ireland	6	3	3	0	6	-0.933
Zimbabwe	6	1	5	0	2	-0.527
United Arab Emirates	6	0	6	0	0	-2.032

Knockout Stage

Australia and New Zealand, serving as hosts, secured their place in the quarter-finals. Australia contested a match on the 20th of March in Adelaide, while New Zealand played on the 21st of March in Wellington. Sri Lanka, the subsequent highest-ranked team, engaged in a quarter-final match in Sydney.

Had England advanced, being the third-highest-ranked team, their match would have occurred in Melbourne. However, as England did not qualify for the quarter-finals, their spot was taken by Bangladesh.

Quarter-finals

Intense clashes between the top teams marked the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup. These matches determined the path to the semi-finals, showcasing the skill and determination of the teams.

Below is the short detail of each quartered-final.

Sri Lanka vs. South Africa

The first quarter-final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup witnessed a one-sided affair between Sri Lanka and South Africa. Sri Lanka set a modest target of 134 runs. A rain interruption complicated the chase for South Africa. In the end, South Africa achieved the revised target with 9 wickets in hand through a stellar partnership between Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, securing their place in the semi-finals with a thrilling victory.

India vs. Bangladesh

In the second quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup, India faced Bangladesh in a closely contested match. India’s batting prowess, led by Rohit Sharma‘s century, powered them to a competitive total. In response, Bangladesh fought hard, with Mahmudullah’s century raising hopes.

However, Indian bowlers held their nerve, and Bangladesh fell short by a narrow margin. India secured victory, advancing to the semi-finals with a 109-run win, displaying their balanced performance in batting and bowling.

Pakistan vs. Australia

In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan and Australia competed in the third quarter-final match. Pakistan scored 213 runs before losing all their wickets in 49.5 overs. Haris Sohail stood out as the top scorer, achieving 41 runs from 57 deliveries. Josh Hazlewood, representing Australia, performed impressively by taking four wickets for 35 runs.

Australia showcased their dominance by successfully chasing the target of 216 runs, achieving this feat in just 33.5 overs. Steve Smith emerged as the highest scorer for Australia with 65 runs from 69 balls. Additionally, Shane Watson played an unbeaten inning of 64 runs from 66 balls, while Glenn Maxwell contributed 44 not out.
The match was made memorable by Wahab Riaz’s intense bowling spell. With this victory, Australia secured their place in the tournament’s semi-finals, establishing their reputation as strong contenders for the championship.

New Zealand vs. West Indies

In the last quarter-final match of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, New Zealand faced off against the West Indies. New Zealand’s batting display, led by Martin Guptill’s monumental 237* – the highest individual score in World Cup history – set an imposing target.

The West Indies struggled to maintain momentum despite an aggressive start, eventually falling short as they were bowled out for 250. With this victory, New Zealand secured their place in the semi-finals, showcasing their batting prowess and ensuring a memorable conclusion to the quarter-final stage.

Semi-finals

Four teams, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Australia, made their way into the semi-finals after successfully encountering their opposite teams in the quarter-finals.

New Zealand Vs. South Africa

The semi-final clash between New Zealand and South Africa during the 2015 World Cup is considered one of the tournament’s most thrilling and dramatic matches. The match took place on March 24, 2015, at Eden Park. In the rain-hit semi-final clash between the two sides, South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat first.

After losing two quick wickets early on, Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers scored 82 and 65, respectively, which set the tone for their innings. David Miller, the left-handed batsman, also struck a crucial 49* off 18 balls to help the Proteas reach a total of 281 in 43 overs. New Zealand bowler Corey Anderson picked up 3-wickets, and Trent Boult took two wickets.

New Zealand needed to score 298 to win the match after the total was revised because of the Duckworth-Lewis method. While chasing, the Kiwis got off to a good start but lost quick wickets in the middle, which brought South Africa back into the game. However, Grant Elliott’s 84* off 73 proved to be a game-changer for the Kiwis as he helped his side win one of the most memorable games of cricket.

The match was a roller coaster of emotions, with both teams displaying incredible skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Grant Elliott’s batting performance was the standout feature of the match, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Scorecard

Here is the scorecard of the first semi-final of the 2015 World Cup:

South Africa Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
Hashim Amla	10	14	71.42	2	0
Quinton de Kock	14	17	82.35	2	0
Faf du Plessis	82	107	76.63	7	1
Rilee Rossouw	39	53	73.58	2	1
AB de Villiers (c)	65	45	144.44	8	1
David Miller	49	18	272.22	6	3
Jean-Paul Duminy	8	4	200	1	0
Extras	14
TOTAL	281/5

Dale Steyn	8.5	0	76	8.6	1
Vernon Philander	8	0	52	6.5	0
Morne Morkel	9	0	59	6.55	3
Imran Tahir	9	1	40	4.44	0
Jean-Paul Duminy	5	0	43	8.6	1
AB de Villiers	3	0	21	7	0

New Zealand Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
Martin Guptill	34	38	89.47	3	1
Brendon McCullum (c)	59	26	226.92	8	4
Kane Williamson	6	11	54.54	1	0
Ross Taylor	30	39	76.92	4	0
Grant Elliott	84	73	115.06	7	3
Corey Anderson	58	57	101.75	6	2
Luke Ronchi †	8	7	114.28	1	0
Daniel Vettori	7	6	116.66	1	0
Extras	13
TOTAL	299/6

BOWLER	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy Rate	Wickets
Tim Southee	9	1	55	6.11	0
Trent Boult	9	0	53	5.88	2
Matt Henry	8	2	40	5	0
Daniel Vettori	9	0	46	5.11	0
Kane Williamson	1	0	5	5	0
Grant Elliott	1	0	9	9	0
Corey Anderson	6	0	72	12	3

Australis Vs. India

Australia won the toss in the second semi-final of the 2015 World Cup against India and decided to bat first. The opening partnership between Aaron Finch and David Warner provided Australia with a solid start. Although Warner was dismissed relatively early, Finch’s innings of 81 helped set a strong foundation for the rest of the batting lineup.

Steven Smith’s century was undoubtedly the highlight of Australia’s innings. His partnership with Finch laid the groundwork for a big score. Glenn Maxwell’s aggressive batting and James Faulkner’s cameo towards the end of the innings provided a late flourish. Aggressive hitting by Faulkner added valuable runs in the death overs and pushed Australia’s total beyond the 300-run mark.

India’s chase was shaky as they lost both openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, within the first six overs. Mitchell Johnson’s early breakthroughs put India on the back foot. Virat Kohli was dismissed early in the innings for just 1 run. His wicket was a big blow to India’s chances of chasing the target.

Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina built a crucial partnership that stabilized India’s innings. Their stand provided hope as they put together a partnership of 70 runs, with Rahane contributing 44 runs and Raina scoring 65. Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal triggered a collapse as India quickly lost a series of wickets.

MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja attempted to revive India’s innings with a partnership. MS Dhoni’s dismissal in the 45th over effectively ended India’s hopes of a successful chase. James Faulkner’s bowling performance was a critical factor in India’s downfall. He took crucial wickets during the death overs, including the wickets of Rahane and Dhoni, which dented India’s chances of staging a comeback. India was bowled out for 233 runs in the 47th over. This handed Australia a convincing victory by 95 runs and secured their place in the final of the 2015 World Cup.

Scorecard

Here is the scorecard of the second semi-final of the 2015 World Cup:

Australia Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
Aaron Finch	81	116	69.82	7	1
David Warner	12	7	171.42	1	1
Steven Smith	105	93	112.9	11	2
Glenn Maxwell	23	14	164.28	3	1
Shane Watson	28	30	93.33	2	1
Michael Clarke (c)	10	12	83.33	1	0
James Faulkner	21	12	175	3	1
Brad Haddin †	7	7	100	1	0
Mitchell Johnson	27	9	300	4	1
Extras	14
TOTAL	328/7

BOWLER	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy Rate	Wickets
Mitchell Starc	8.5	0	28	3.16	2
Josh Hazlewood	10	1	41	4.1	1
Mitchell Johnson	10	0	50	5	2
James Faulkner	9	1	59	6.55	3
Glenn Maxwell	5	0	18	3.6	0
Shane Watson	4	0	29	7.25	0

India Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
Rohit Sharma	34	48	70.83	1	2
Shikhar Dhawan	45	41	109.75	6	1
Virat Kohli	1	13	7.69	0	0
Ajinkya Rahane	44	68	64.7	2	0
Suresh Raina	7	11	63.63	1	0
MS Dhoni (c)†	65	65	100	3	2
Ravindra Jadeja	16	17	94.11	2	0
Ravichandran Ashwin	5	13	38.46	0	0
Mohammed Shami	1	1	100	0	0
Mohit Sharma	0	1	0	0	0
Umesh Yadav	0	5	0	0	0
Extras	15
TOTAL	233

BOWLER	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy Rate	Wickets
Mohammed Shami	10	0	68	6.8	0
Umesh Yadav	9	0	72	8	4
Mohit Sharma	10	0	75	7.5	2
Virat Kohli	1	0	7	7	0
Ravindra Jadeja	10	0	56	5.6	0
Ravichandran Ashwin	10	0	42	4.2	1

Final

The cricketing world stood on the brink of excitement and anticipation as the much-awaited 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup took center stage. Against stunning landscapes and enthusiastic crowds, the tournament promised a thrilling spectacle of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.

On March 29, 2015, the grand finale of the 2015 Cricket World Cup unfolded at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. This ultimate showdown featured the tournament’s co-hosts: Australia and New Zealand. The match witnessed an astounding attendance of 93,013 spectators, setting a new record for the largest cricket crowd in a single day on Australian soil.

So, let’s recap this fantastic game of cricket.

Background

Commencing on February 14, the 2015 World Cup marked the initiation of a riveting tournament co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, spanning across 14 distinguished venues. With a lineup of fourteen teams divided into two pools of seven, the journey led to a thrilling climax.

The top four contenders from each pool advanced to the quarter-finals, setting the stage for intense battles. The pinnacle of the event unfolded on March 29 in a mesmerizing day-night encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where New Zealand and Australia clashed for supremacy.

This monumental match held special significance as it marked New Zealand’s inaugural World Cup Final appearance, while Australia added to their remarkable record by participating in their seventh final.

Remarkably, it was the second successive instance of co-hosts facing off in the final, and a noteworthy departure from tradition saw the absence of any Asian team in the championship clash for the first time since 1987. The match also bore significance as it signaled the final One Day International appearances for distinguished players like Australian captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori.

Toss

Coin spun in favor of Kiwis, and they decided to bat first.

New Zealand’s Innings

Brendon McCullum’s innings was abruptly halted by Mitchell Starc on the fifth delivery of the opening over, leaving a sense of early setback for New Zealand. The team’s progress was deliberate and cautious, reaching a score of 38 for 2 after 12 overs when the second wicket, Martin Guptill, fell. The subsequent over saw Kane Williamson’s dismissal, caught and bowled by Mitchell Johnson, contributing a mere 12 runs to the cause. A maiden over from Josh Hazlewood added to the mounting pressure.

At the halfway point, New Zealand’s scoreboard displayed 93 for 3, with Grant Elliott on 39 and Ross Taylor on 20, tasked with steering the innings. Taylor’s resilience endured until the 36th over, ultimately succumbing to a catch behind the stumps of James Faulkner’s delivery, having accumulated 40 runs.

Faulkner further fortified his performance by dismissing Corey Anderson for no score, intensifying the challenge for New Zealand, positioned at 150 for 5 after 36 overs. The entrance of Luke Ronchi was short-lived, caught by Michael Clarke from Starc’s bowling, failing to add any runs.

Daniel Vettori’s resistance concluded three overs later, departing after amassing eight runs. This left New Zealand at 167 for 7 from 41 overs. Grant Elliott’s defiant knock came to a close in the next over, as he was caught by Brad Haddin off Faulkner’s delivery, having scored a crucial 83 runs. With Matt Henry and Tim Southee at the crease, both failed to register any runs and were dismissed in the 45th over. The innings concluded with New Zealand’s total standing at 183.

Australia’s Innings

Australia’s journey began on a similarly disheartening note, as Aaron Finch fell victim to Trent Boult’s delivery, caught and bowled, without scoring a run in the second over. As the initial tension eased, Australia reached 56 for 1 by the end of the 10th over, guided by David Warner’s aggressive 39 and Steve Smith’s composed 13. Warner’s innings was curtailed in the 13th over, caught by Elliott off Henry’s bowling after amassing 45 runs.

The team’s resilience shone through as the 20th over concluded with Australia at 98 for 2, with Clarke notching 21 runs and the steadfast Smith on 25. The 30-over mark witnessed Clarke standing strong at 57 runs, having faced most deliveries, while Smith was on the cusp of a half-century with 47 runs to his name. In the 32nd over, Clarke’s innings ended, dismissed by Henry after scoring 74 runs.

However, Australia required merely 9 runs from a surplus of 113 deliveries at this juncture. With Shane Watson now accompanying Smith, the latter struck the match-winning blow – a four off Henry’s delivery on the first ball of the 34th over, culminating in a triumphant seven-wicket victory for Australia in the 2015 World Cup.

Scorecard

Here’s the 2015 World Cup final scorecard:

New Zealand Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
Martin Guptill	15	34	44.11	1	1
Brendon McCullum (c)	0	3	0	0	0
Kane Williamson	12	33	36.36	1	0
Ross Taylor	40	72	55.55	2	0
Grant Elliott	83	82	101.21	7	1
Corey Anderson	0	2	0	0	0
Luke Ronchi †	0	4	0	0	0
Daniel Vettori	9	21	42.85	1	0
Tim Southee	11	11	100	0	1
Matt Henry	0	7	0	0	0
Trent Boult	0	1	0	0	0
Extras	13
TOTAL	183

BOWLER	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy Rate	Wickets
Tim Southee	8	0	65	8.12	0
Trent Boult	10	0	40	4	1
Daniel Vettori	5	0	25	5	0
Matt Henry	9.1	0	46	5.01	2
Corey Anderson	1	0	7	7	0

Australia Innings

BATTER	Runs	Balls	Strike Rate	4s	6s
David Warner	45	46	97.82	7	0
Aaron Finch	0	5	0	0	0
Steven Smith	56	71	78.87	3	0
Michael Clarke (c)	74	72	102.77	10	1
Shane Watson	2	5	40	0	0
Extras	9
TOTAL	186/3

BOWLER	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Economy Rate	Wickets
Mitchell Starc	8	0	20	2.5	2
Josh Hazlewood	8	2	30	3.75	0
Mitchell Johnson	9	0	30	3.33	3
Glenn Maxwell	7	0	37	5.28	1
James Faulkner	9	1	36	4	3
Shane Watson	4	0	23	5.75	0

Statistics

Here is the list of statistics for the 2015 World Cup.

Most Runs

BATTER	Team	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	Highest Score
Martin Guptill	New Zealand	9	547	68.37	104.58	237*
AB de Villiers	South Africa	8	482	96.4	144.31	162*
Shikhar Dhawan	India	8	412	51.5	91.75	137
Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	7	541	108.2	105.87	124
Brendan Taylor	Zimbabwe	6	433	72.16	106.91	138

Most Wickets

Bowler	Team	Matches	Wickets	Economy Rate	Average	Economy Rate
Mitchell Starc	Australia	8	22	3.5	10.18	3.5
Trent Boult	New Zealand	9	22	4.36	16.86	4.36
Umesh Yadav	India	8	18	4.98	17.83	4.98
Mohammed Shami	India	7	17	4.81	17.29	4.81
Morné Morkel	South Africa	8	17	4.38	17.58	4.38

Conclusion

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup left an indelible mark on cricket history, a chapter etched with unforgettable moments and resounding achievements. From New Zealand’s spirited journey to their first-ever World Cup final to Australia’s formidable performance on home soil, the competition embodied the essence of cricketing excellence.
The clash of titans, the emergence of underdogs, and the relentless pursuit of victory painted a vivid narrative that captured the hearts of fans across the globe. As the final chapter closed at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s triumph symbolized the culmination of weeks of dedication, skill, and passion. The tournament ended with Martin Guptill being the leading run-scorer (547) and Mitchell Starc with the most wickets(22).

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