Sutherland Cricket Club duo Steve Smith and Shane Watson and St George’s Josh Hazlewood are proud members of Australia’s ICC World Cup Final team’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand on Sunday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Kiwis were dismissed for 183 and Australia cruised to victory in the limited overs final, making 3-186 from 33.2 overs with Sutherland batsman Steve Smith unbeaten on 56 and Shane Watson not out on two.
For Watson it was the second time he has played in a World Cup winning team as he was a member of the 2007 outfit which defeated Sri Lanka in the final in the West Indies.
Steve Smith, who made 402 runs at 67, and was Australia’s top run-scorer, with a century and four 50s in the 2015 tournament, is celebrating his first World Cup win.
St George fast bowler Josh Hazlewood finished with the figures of 2-30 in the final and will never forget his first World Cup triumph.
With skipper Michael Clarke (74) announcing the day before the game that he was retiring from one day cricket after the final, Australia were never in danger. Their bowlers routed the Kiwis for 183 in 45 overs.
Steve Smith, who has deputised for Clark when he was injured for several Tests and one-dayers this season, is considered the next Australian one-day captain with Clarke departing.
After the match a jubilant Smith, who played his junior cricket with Illawong and grew up in the Sutherland Shire, said it was a great feeling to be a part of the team which won the trophy.
‘‘I thought it was a fitting farewell for Pup (Michael Clarke). I wish he was there with me at the end,’’ Smith said.
‘‘We said we wanted to play our best game at the end of the tournament and to win it three down is unbelievable.’’
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