Australia claim World Cup success

Clarke, who struck 10 fours and one maximum off 72 balls, and Steve Smith (56 not out) put on a third-wicket partnership of 112 as the hosts made light work of reaching their 184-run target with 101 balls remaining.

Earlier on, Grant Elliott claimed a top score of 83 off 82 balls for New Zealand but his team-mates only managed to muster 100 further runs between them as a powerplay began their collapse in the 36th over and they lost three wickets for just one run.

Mitchell Johnson claimed figures of three for 30 and James Faulkner three for 36 in Australia's attack, who restricted the Black Caps to 183 all out and dimmed any thoughts they might have had of a maiden World Cup final win.