'4 title wins in last 5 World Cups is a testimony to the Australian cricket culture'
Global cricket fraternity lavished rich praise on the Australian team for winning a record fifth World Cup title in Melbourne on Sunday, saying they were ‘clinical and superior’ in the knockout stages of the tournament.
In front of a packed house at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia clinched the coveted ICC World Cup, thrashing New Zealand by seven wickets to provide a perfect sendoff to skipper Michael Clarke, who played a key role with a 74-run knock in his final ODI appearance.
"Well played Australia you were the best team by far and your wins from the quarterfinals onwards were clinical and showed your superiority," West Indies batting legend Brian Lara wrote on his twitter handle.
Former pace spearhead Glenn McGrath, who was part of an unprecedented three World Cup triumphs, called it a well-deserved win.
"Congratulations to @MClarke23 & @CricketAus on winning the @cricketworldcup Great win boys, very well deserved #CWC15," McGrath tweeted.
After the bowlers produced a clinical performance, skittling out New Zealand for 183, the stage was set for the Australian captain, who used the platform to the fullest with a stylish 72-ball innings as the hosts regained the trophy by winning the match in 33.1 overs to end an eight-year wait.
West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle said, "Congrats @MClarke23 & team Australia on winning the #WorldCup2015" #FullJoy #CWC15 #63NotOut #Champions-well done NZ! Great finish pups.”
Man of the Tournament in the 2011 edition, Yuvraj Singh wrote, "Of producing world class cricketers every generation ex teammate @mstarc56 for taking man of the series with some exceptional bowling spells."
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Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman thanked the Black Caps for providing entertainment. "Bad luck NZ but thank u for entertaining all of us by playing aggressive and positive brand of cricket throughout the WC. Keep it up. #CWC15, the former Hyderabadi batsman tweeted.
South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis also congratulated the newly crowned world champions.
"Congrats to Australia. Well deserved Champions. NZ can be proud their campaign too. End of a fabulous WC that has enhanced ODIs reputation."
Pakistan's maverick all-rounder Shahid Afridi said, "Congrats to the @CricketAus on an outstanding tournament. Terrific cricketers, worthy and brilliant co-hosts as @BLACKCAPS surely you were brilliant."
While another Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq wrote, "Congratulations to Australia who win their fifth World Cup."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan too congratulated the winners.
"World Champions ... Well done Australia. Very fitting that Australia are crowned World Champions .... #63NotOut #riphughsey.
Ex-Australian pacer Jason Gillespie wrote, "Yes lads! Congratulations! Awesome effort! Great tournament NZ too."
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar was in awe of Australian cricket.
"4 title wins in last 5 world cups is a testimony to the Australian cricket culture. Well done Australia!"
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi was happy for Clarke. "Well done Michael Clarke ...great way to leave the ODI scene! Now here's wishing you to get stuck into Test Cricket and raise the OZ bar for other nations!!"
Star England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff said, "Australia coped with the pressure very impressively. Deserved to win in front of their own record crowd, congrats!"
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