Australia defeated New Zealand on Sunday by seven wickets to win the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
The Baggy Greens won the championship on their home soil (Melbourne to be specific) in front of a raucous crowd of supporters. The win was Australia's fifth World Cup crown and their fourth in the last five years. The Black Caps, meanwhile, will have to wait another four years in their quest to win their first Cup.
For the Aussies, hoisting the trophy was about more than just a game; they were also honoring the legacy of their deceased countrymen, Philip Hughes. Hughes passed away in late November after taking a bowler to the head during a domestic match. His death sent shockwaves throughout Australia and left many of his colleagues reeling.
“For everybody in Australian cricket, it’s been a really tough few months,” said Baggy Greens captain Michael Clarke, via WSJ Asia. “Tonight is certainly dedicated to our little brother and our teammate Phillip Hughes.”
Clarke and others sported black armbands in memory of Hughes.
In addition to being a fitting tribute to Hughes, Sunday's victory was also a send-off for Clarke personally. He announced recently that this was going his final ODI with the team, and that he was stepping down from the captaincy.
A photo posted by Michael Clarke (@michaelclarkeofficial) on Mar 28, 2015 at 12:40am PDT
Check out highlights from Australia's World Cup Finals victory over New Zealand below:
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