SUTHERLAND Cricket Cub teammates Steve Smith and Shane Watson etched their names into the history books during the ICC World Cup Final with a unique statistic.
They are the first batsmen playing for Australia from the same club to be at the crease together to hit the winning runs in a World Cup final.
The pair were jubilant on Sunday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Australia crushed New Zealand by seven wickets to win the final.
Smith and Watson, and St George Cricket Club's Josh Hazlewood, represented the region with pride.
Sutherland Cricket Club historian and facts and figures "guru" Tom Iceton pointed out the Smith-Watson statistic to the Leader, saying everyone at the club was "immensely proud" of how the duo contributed to an outstanding win.
"Smithy capped off an unbelievable summer by making 56 not out and hitting the winning runs — a fitting end to a remarkable season of run-scoring," Mr Iceton said.
"Watto played a good support role, coming back with great character after he was dropped for the pool match against Afghanistan in Perth to bat well in the remaining matches."
Smith was unbeaten on 56 and Shane Watson was not out on two, and the pair embraced when they won the game.
For Watson it was the second time he has played in a World Cup winning team: he was a member of the 2007 outfit which defeated Sri Lanka in the final in the West Indies.
Smith, who made 402 runs averaging 67, and was Australia's top run-getter in the 2015 tournament with a century and four 50s, is celebrating his first World Cup win.
St George fast bowler Josh Hazlewood finished with the figures of 2/30 in the final.
St GEORGE Cricket Club president Kevin Greene congratulated the Australian team on their victory.
He said Josh Hazlewood's status as a player and person would only be enhanced further.
"Josh is a fine young man and deserved his place in the team," Greene said.
Australia made 3-186 from just 33.1 overs, reeling in New Zealand's disappointing total of 183, scored from 45 overs.
It is the fifth time Australia has triumphed in the limited overs competition which was first held in 1975.
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, as their bowlers routed the Kiwis for 183 in 45 overs.
Steve Smith, who has deputised for Clarke when he was injured for several Tests and one-dayers this season, is considered the next Australian one-day captain now Clarke is departing.
After the match a jubilant Smith, who played his junior cricket with Illawong and grew up in 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."
How good was it that Sutherland's Steve Smith and Shane Watson and St George's Josh Hazlewood starred in Australia's World Cup triumph?
