Starc’s journey to top of World Cup tree

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LEFT-ARM greatness again struck the MCG on World Cup final day, with Australian superstar Mitchell Starc putting his name up in lights alongside the legendary Wasim Akram.

In a batsman's tournament, it is only fitting that the Player of the Tournament be the bowler who not only bucked the trend but capped it all off with a debunking of the Cup's most explosive hitter.

"I wouldn't say that," said Starc when asked if he was the best bowler in the world.

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"But I've worked really hard at it for a number of months now with (bowling coach) Craig McDermott in the background. A few series ago we put down a plan and to see it come to fruition through the whole tournament and tonight is amazing."

"A few series ago we sat down and panned out a little plan. To see it come to fruition tonight or through the whole tournament really has been phenomenal."

Starc's breathtaking three-ball dismantling of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum in the opening over of last night's final will live forever in World Cup folklore.

"There was a lot of luck involved I think but it's a little plan Craig and I had going a couple of days ago," said Starc.

"Brendon has been fantastic throughout the whole tournament so I think there was a lot of luck involved but I'm just happy to get that one."

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Starc celebrates rattling Brendon McCullum's castle. Source: AP

It served as a spectacular launching pad for what promises to be a stellar career as New Zealand and the catalyst of an emphatic seven-wicket victory as the Black Caps were rolled for just 183.

Twenty-three years after Pakistan wonder kid Akram decimated England in the 1992 decider in Melbourne, Starc (2-20) showed yesterday that lightning can strike twice.

Fellow southpaw power punchers Mitchell Johnson (3-30) and James Faulkner (3-36) weren't to be outdone either, as Australia's left-arm brigade tore the heart out of an overawed and outclassed New Zealand batting order.

Starc has finished this World Cup with stunning figures of 22 wickets at just 10.18, with an economy rate of 3.5.

Wasim Akram was a left-arm master. Source: News Limited

As a result, the 25-year-old sensation is well on his way to emulating the likes of Akram and teammate Johnson as one of the most feared left-armers in cricket history.

"Bowlers have won us the World Cup," Australia captain Michael Clarke said on Sunday night.

"No doubt Starcy deserves the man of the series award. I think he's been exceptional. I think our whole attack has to be honest.

"Batters certainly stood up and grabbed their opportuniteis but bowling perfomrances in every single game have been exceptional, and probably none better than today."

It's hard to fathom that Starc stood accused of being soft to start this summer.

Yesterday, on the season's final day he proved he's as hard as cement by delivering when it mattered most.

The tutelage that Akram has given a young Starc over the years has clearly not gone to waste.

Starc has been dropped from the Test team 11 times in his 15-match career, but all of a sudden it's hard to image an Australian attack without him, irrespective of ball colour.

"I'd like to but I'm just going to enjoy this one for now," Starc said on becoming a permanent figure in the Test team.

McCullum v Starc was the bout 91,000 supporters came to see, and the fight was all over in spectacular round one knockout.

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Starc has been dropped from the Test team 11 times in his 15-match career, but all of a sudden it's hard to image an Australian attack without him, irrespective of ball colour.

"I'd like to but I'm just going to enjoy this one for now," Starc said on becoming a permanent figure in the Test team.

McCullum v Starc was the bout 91,000 supporters came to see, and the fight was all over in spectacular round one knockout.

"The support from the Australian public and the crowd here tonight has been fantastic through the whole tournament for us so thank you all," he said.

"To play in front of this many people, there's nothing like it."

First ball to the Black Caps' inspirational leader was near perfect.

Full, just outside the off-stump at 149km/h.

Mitchell Starc claimed the prize wicket of Brendon McCullum in the first over of the final. Source: AP

First ball to the Black Caps' inspirational leader was near perfect.

Full, just outside the off-stump at 149km/h.

McCullum drove forward and missed as the ball sizzled past the inside edge and the timber by the narrowest of margins.

Next ball McCullum decided to charge.

It was a poor decision.

Starc tracked him with another thunderbolt which McCullum slashed at to no avail and the ball this time passed by his leg-stump.

Before the group game between the trans-Tasman rivals in Auckland, David Warner declared McCullum was capable of a "brain explosion."

It didn't come that day, but yesterday McCullum's next move was to hit the self-destruct button.

Starc crashed a full ball through McCullum's loose attempt at a drive and into the stumps.

It was a case of three strikes and your out so classic, even New York Yankees baseball legend Derek Jeter understood what had happened as he watched from an MCG corporate box.

Starc set off into the outfield in rampant celebration, with New Zealand's hopes of a fairytale virtually extinguished.

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It was the same in 1992, when Akram landed two lethal blows in an over to crush English dreams.

New Zealand collapsed, the skipper was culpable, but this was rare class from Starc.

It was followed up in emphatic fashion by Johnson and Faulkner.

Johnson has had to ride shot gun to Starc as the young bull has assumed the mantle of one-day spearhead this tournament.

But in the heat of a semi-final and now a final, Johnson has once again shown what he's made of.

Allrounder Faulkner was so desired in this World Cup XI for his finishing ability with the bat.

But yesterday marked the third occasion this tournament where his bowling has been match-turning for his team.

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McCullum plays with fire, gets burned

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IT was always feared the occasion would swamp New Zealand.

But few thought steel-boned captain Brendon McCullum would be the man most culpable.

In the biggest cricket match his country has ever known, it was almost cruel that the superstar who has reinvigorated the game in New Zealand lost his head.

Pre-match, McCullum was asked if he would consider toning down his aggression for a World Cup final.

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Brendon McCullum watches his bails fly. Source: AFP

The 33-year-old scoffed at the suggestion and justifiably so.

Why would the most dominant figure in the tournament's only unbeaten team try and fix something that wasn't broke?

But there's aggression and then there's lunacy, and for the first time, McCullum was found guilty of crossing that fine line.

Mitchell Starc's three-ball dismantling of McCullum in the first over of the match will go down as the defining moment in Australia's emphatic fifth world crown triumph.

"They stepped up," said McCullum.

"All credit to them to grab those key moments.

"Even with 183 on the board, I still felt like we were a chance in this game. Whether that's my eternal optimism ... it didn't (happen) and credit to Australia to deliver on the big stage.

"Sometimes you have to admit you've run second in the race."

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McCullum was typically gracious in defeat, heaping praise on the Aussies while still taking great pride in his team's performance over the past six weeks.

"It would have been nice to have won it, but I'm sure everyone will be proud of what we've been able to achieve," he said.

"We've entertained people and I guess left nothing out there in terms of the character and attitude on the field," he said.

"It has been one hell of a ride.

"What we were able to achieve in this tournament will last for a long time. The friendhips we've created, the experiences that we've had, and I guess the people that we've been able to inspire throughout the tournament is something that we're really proud of."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was typically gracious in the post-match press conference. Source: AP

McCullum praised ill former Black Caps' skipper Martin Crowe, who is at 52 facing up to a life-threatening illness.

"We walk away with our heads held high," McCullum said.

"We had Martin Crowe and John Key, our Prime Minister, in the changing room before, and they were incredibly proud of what we've been able to achieve.

"They're just a couple of guys we've been able to share it with, and I guess we've shared this experience with the whole country."

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It's not often a cricketer sparks an outbreak of applause in a media conference, but McCullum's dignity in defeat added to his legend last night.

McCullum became the first captain in the history of Cup finals to fall for a duck as he swung wildly at two deliveries, before having his off stump rocked back when he foolishly tried for third time lucky.

It was electric fast bowling, but a brain explosion from McCullum all the same.

Even in their worst nightmares, New Zealand couldn't have imagined a worse start.

In an instant, the MCG cathedral New Zealand were so confident wouldn't intimidate them, erupted like few times before.

Starc celebrates bowling Brendon McCullum. Source: News Corp Australia

One can only imagine how that noise must have contrasted with the deathly silence inside the Black Caps room.

When the leader jumps off the plank, it was hardly going to inspire confidence in the rest of the group.

Guptill followed and then Williamson, and although semi-final hero Grant Elliott and the experienced Ross Taylor were brave, they were always batting in quicksand.

What happened last night shouldn't take away from the fact that McCullum has been immense this World Cup.

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But now he and an inspired nation will forever ponder what might have been.

Earlier this tournament when New Zealand rolled Australia for 151 at Eden Park, McCullum's astute, relentless captaincy was at the coalface of a win for the ages.

But even in this department, McCullum last night slipped.

When Australian opener Aaron Finch was sent packing for a duck, New Zealand had reason to believe given the events that transpired in Auckland just four weeks ago.

Brendon McCullum trudges off the MCG after scoring a duck. Source: Getty Images

But in the fifth over when David Warner edged to second slip, there was no fielder there.

The captain at Eden Park would have had a man right there to swallow it.

But at the MCG, McCullum couldn't nail the moment and the chance to get into Australia's middle order went begging as Warner dashed to 45.

McCullum loves his racing, and all tournament he's referred to his side as a 'good horse.'

That quality remains unchanged, but last night, the unescapable fact is Kiwi's jockey missed the kick at the Melbourne Cup.

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In-demand Roberts wants to stay put

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TITANS x-factor James Roberts has pledged his allegiance to the Gold Coast, declaring his intention to ink a contract extension with the club that saved him.

Roberts is the Gold Coast's leading tryscorer (4) this year and played a decisive role in their first win of the season against Cronulla on Saturday.

He scored two tries — including the matchwinning intercept with five minutes to go — and produced a clever one-on-one strip to put Dave Taylor over.

Roberts has now scored 20 tries in 32 NRL games and is growing in confidence by the week after settling on the Gold Coast.

And in a huge show of faith to the Titans, Roberts said he was ready to reject interest from rivals and commit to the club that threw him a lifeline last year after he was punted by Penrith.

James Roberts is looking to sign a new deal. Picture: Mike Batterham Source: News Corp Australia

"This is my last year (but) hopefully we can sort out something," he said.

"I'm loving it on the Gold Coast. I don't want to go anywhere else.

"There's no rush. I'm sure the club will look after me.

"I'm looking to just play good footy, get some wins under our belt and make the finals."

The 22-year-old has long been regarded as a prodigious talent but he's only now starting to find some consistency in his performances.

The lightening fast centre suffered a broken ankle during last year's pre-season and has battled the side effects of it since.

But he's now played 16 straight matches for the Titans dating back to his club debut in round 14 last year and is feeling the benefits.

"It's only early days for me," he said.

"I'm just worried about playing consistent footy so hopefully I can bring that in the months to come.

"I'm slowly getting my match fitness up.

"There's still plenty to work on as a team and myself."

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The Titans are yet to begin negotiations with Roberts' management to keep him on the Gold Coast and it's shaping as an extremely busy year for the club's recruitment department.

Captain Nate Myles was tight-lipped on Sunday about his future in light of the club choosing to not take up an option on his contract for 2016.

Coach Neil Henry is keen to keep Myles at the club and it's possible they will negotiate a new contract, which could result in a pay-cut for the Queensland and Test forward who turns 30 in June.

Myles has turned his immediate focus to Friday's blockbuster clash against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium and said the Titans had to build on their breakthrough win.

"We need to create more of a winning feeling through the team," he said.

"That (beating Cronulla) was a way to do that."

The Titans are sitting on a 1-3 ledger but could easily have two more wins next to their name.

"There's some fight in the team," Henry said.

"When we control possession and do what we're training to do, we're really competing out there."

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Vancouver to be sold for $40m

Tommy Berry celebrates winning the Golden Slipper on Vancouver. Source: Simon Bullard / News Corp Australia

ONE of the Hunter Valley's leading thoroughbred studs is expected to complete the purchase of unbeaten Golden Slipper winner Vancouver this week in a deal which values the colt at more than $40 million.

Vancouver, the Gai Waterhouse-trained two-year-old, has become the most valuable potential stallion prospect in the southern hemisphere since his outstanding Golden Slipper win earlier this month.

A number of major national and international thoroughbred breeding operations have been negotiating to buy the colt in the last week but The Daily Telegraph understands a NSW stud farm is about to clinch the deal.

Waterhouse was tight-lipped about the proposed sale, which is understandable given the commercial sensitivity of negotiations and the sheer size of the deal, but a breeding industry source said the colt's purchase should be completed within days.

It is understood that Vancouver will race on next season with Waterhouse already declaring her ambition to set the colt for an unprecedented Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas-Cox Plate Group 1 treble in the spring.

Vancouver won his only four starts this season in the Breeders Plate, Canonbury Stakes, Todman Stakes and Golden Slipper to earn $2.33 million prizemoney and almost certainly clinch the Champion Two-year-old title.

The colt is by super stallion Medaglia D'Oro, a multiple Group 1 winner himself and the sire of freakish American filly Rachel Alexandra, out of Skates, and was sold for $185,000i at the 2014 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Vancouver is an imposing individual and combined with his regal bloodlines and now proven racetrack ability, it was only a matter of time before he was sold for stud duties.

The good news for Australian race fans is that we will see more of Vancouver on the racetrack as a three-year-old and if Waterhouse is right, the colt's best racetrack performances are ahead of him.

"If Vancouver going for the triple crown races this autumn, the colt would not be going to the spelling paddock for another month or so,'' Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph last week when explained the decision to spell the youngster after his Golden Slipper win.

"By turning him out now he can have a longer break and still enjoy the warm weather before winter comes. He will be a better horse for it in the spring.''

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Aussie pace attack rules the world

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IT'S the simplest and most effective way of ruling the cricket world.

Load your team with top quality nasty fasties, sit back and enjoy the carnage.

It's a formula that's easy to dream about but hard to put in place.

But Australia, through patience and planning, has managed to crack the code with a group of fast bowlers who have carried them to the top of the world and should keep them there for some time.

Mitchell Johnson was back to his best in the World Cup final. Source: News Corp Australia

Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner simply swarmed New Zealand, not simply through pace but poise, with swing and slower balls and yorkers that dipped through groping defences.

And the last three should be around for the next world Cup as well.

By the time the visitors had their dinner break their batsmen felt like Kiwi tourists who had wandered into a dark alley on their first night in Melbourne and emerged with a black eye and no wallet.

James Faulkner claimed match of the man honours after taking three crucial wickets. Source: AFP

New Zealand were a major disappointment in a match which was the reversal of so many of those lopsided rugby Tests between the two nations where the Wallabies turn up hoping to win and All Blacks simply knew they would.

The Kiwis prepared for everything in this tournament except the match that mattered most.

They had not played a 50 over game in Australia for six years until. It seemed longer.

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From the moment their captain Brendon McCullum had three airswings in a row off the only balls he faced from Starc — the last of which bowled him — they looked the overawed first time finalists they were.

McCullum's debonair strokeplay has been a highlight of the tournament but yesterday he was like the digger who galloped from the trenches randomly shooting at thin air only to be greeted by an enemy tank.

Josh Hazlewood nailed down his spot after several solid performances. Source: Getty Images

Starc had been in world class form all tournament.

At the very least he deserved one watchful over before McCullum tried to hit him out of the world's biggest cricket stadium.

Sometimes batsmen who resemble rabbits caught in the spotlight can find themselves looking at everything but the ball and Australia did well to bowl full and straight as some Kiwi batsmen who simply missed. Four made ducks.

This World Cup chugged along honourably without ever quite catching fire.

The epic semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand was the best match and a true show-stopper but the other six finals were all one-sided.

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Australia's victory, as lopsided as it was, represented a fitting end to the tournament.

It was almost as if the gods of cricket, after watching batsmen destroy all in their path for the last five weeks, decided to had the title to the group of bowlers who best bucked the trend.

Australia is tomorrow set to name a squad for the West Indian and Ashes tours as well as its new contract list.

Michael Clarke's retirement from 50-over cricket means he may lose his No 1 ranking on the contract list.

Steve Smith could be the new top dog and who could argue after his Bradmanesque summer.

Such is the potency of Australia's fast men it deserves to start favourite for the Ashes despite losing its past three series in England.

Bring it on.

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Nation’s sombre end to a magical journey

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DEEP behind enemy lines, a lone Australian supporter is tormenting Black Cap supporters.

Michael Clarke's men are bulldozing the New Zealanders. Hopelessly outnumbered, the absence of compatriots makes no difference to the interloper in the Kiwi capital.

Ross Taylor is dismissed — and given a send-off by our man. Ditto for Grant Elliott and a steady stream of others.

Ross Taylor misses a tough chance. Source: AP

Kiwis dressed in NZ cricket shirts, drinking in All Black legend Christian Cullen's Four Kings sports bar, are bemused.

They admire the pluck, perhaps the gall, of the stranger in their midst.

But in a match many Kiwis believed doomed after just five balls with Brendon McCullum's shuddering dismissal, there is no angst.

Optimism had long given way to despair. Resignation is succeeded by sardonic acceptance.

Reality bites early — and terminally — for Kiwis supporting the "Merry Men" who united a nation in hope, never expectation.

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Even as the fairytale unravels against Michael Clarke's well-oiled machine, there is no recrimination.

McCullum's team had entranced and inspired throughout the entire championship and most Kiwis were happy to go along for the ride.

When it became obvious Australia would win, there were good-natured jibes at Australian "Drongos" and "Wallys." Nothing more insidious.

Around the corner in Cuba Street, there is more interest in a blues band. Even in drenched Civic Square village green, there is more talk about the rain than the scoreboard.

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Further afield in iconic Lovelocks sports bar, the "welcome to hell" sign is a clue to a flinty clientele.

As Starc claims another wicket, a burly patron turns to his mate and declares: "You hate Mitchell Johnston, but I really f ... ing hate Starc."

Over a seven-hour stint, it is the sole outburst of rancour.

Back at Four Kings, the Kiwis sit around until the bitter end.

Matt Henry had a tough night at the office. Source: AP

The lone Australian has vanished, deciding perhaps that discretion is the better part of valour.

When NZ awakes on Monday and schools are opened late to accommodate the youngsters who sat up late while hoping against hope, McCullum and his troops will be acclaimed.

As ever, there will be grudging respect for Australia, enduring admiration for the Black Caps — and a deeper resolve to again touch us up at the rugby World Cup in September.

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Summer rocked by tragedy ends in glory

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PHILLIP Hughes would have loved that as much as his "brother" and buddy Michael Clarke did.

The popular batsman's tragic death in November rocked Australian cricket to its heart and soul and could easily have derailed the huge season ahead — but on Sunday, his closest mates completed probably the best campaign of their own lives, past or future.

It goes without saying they dedicated the World Cup triumph — a thumping seven-wicket win against an overwhelmed and possibly overawed New Zealand in front of the biggest cricket crowd in history — to Hughes, who might have been a part of it if fate had not decreed otherwise.

AUSTRALIA STORMS TO WORLD CUP GLORY

'TONIGHT IS FOR OUR LITTLE BROTHER PHILLIP'

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"You can see it's (Clarke's black arm band) got PH on it. I wear it every game I play for Australia. For everybody in Australian cricket it's been a really though few months," said Clarke after the win.

"I'm sure I don't speak for myself, I'm sure everyone standing on this stage tonight will say we played this World Cup with 16 players and tonight is certainly dedicated to our little brother and our teammate Phillip Hughes.

"Hughesy used to party as well as any of us so we'll make sure we drink two at a time tonight, one for Hughesy and one for us."

James Faulkner with captain Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson. Source: AP

But even viewed without that poignant prism, the one-sided final was the stylish finishing touch to one of the most successful and satisfying summers since ... well, it's hard to remember a finer one.

The Australians thrashed India in the Test series 2-0 with two draws, beat South Africa 4-1 in a one-day series and saw off England and India without dropping a match in the tri-series World Cup warm-up.

In the Cup, it won every game it played — except one — by at least six wickets or 64 runs, accounting for their three finals opponents by six wickets, 95 runs and seven wickets with 17 overs remaining. That is the definition of domination.

Michael Clarke of Australia touches his black armband in a tribute to the late Phillip Hughes. Source: Getty Images

The only game they lost, against the Kiwis, was by just one wicket after a heroic fightback, and if that created some spirited trans-Tasman chat about what that did or did not prove, the argument was comprehensively resolved when it mattered most.

It was one of only two games Australia lost all summer, a feat achieved not only against a backdrop of sadness and unsettlement, but despite a substantial injury to the captain, Michael Clarke, which meant that two-stand-in captains, Steve Smith and George Bailey, had to be used.

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That turned out to be a blessing in heavy disguise because it gave the selectors the opportunity to identify Smith as the next Test captain, and almost certainly the new one-day leader as well.

Smith not only seized that opportunity with both hands but revealed himself to now be the equal of any batsman in the world, his contribution of another unbeaten half-century — and the winning runs — to last night's win just a final exclamation mark to a truly golden five months.

It was a day and night for everyone in the Australian dressing room — all 11 batted, bowled or kept wicket — but for none more than Clarke, playing his last one-dayer.

Michael Clarke congratulates Phillip Hughes on his 150 against South Africa. Source: Supplied

Armed with fast bowling at least the equal of any seen at an MCG one-dayer — the Mitchells, Starc and Johnson, were always going to be the key to victory, and were — Clarke's captaincy was faultless.

Fittingly, he then top-scored with 74, sharing the pivotal partnership of 112 with his heir apparent before chopping onto his stumps just as the winning runs were there for him to score.

The unprecedented 93,013 spectators, nearly all still in their seats to share the moment, were joined by Clarke's team-mates in giving him a standing ovation as he walked off, looking to the heavens — where, no doubt, he could sense his lost mate clapping harder than anyone.

In a summer of many emotional moments for one of the all-time great cricketers, this was the best one.

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The bizarre sledge that shocked McCullum

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KIWI V8 driver shifts his focus to the cricket during the Tassie SuperSprint, Andy Lee has Australia in stitches moments before the final and the sledge from left field. It's all in Cup Confidential.

FRIENDLY FIRE

Brad Haddin was working overtime on his chirp on Sunday but it just may be the best sledge was delivered from a completely unlikely source.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum must have thought he'd heard his last sledge by the time he lobbed up at the press conference, only to be reduced to fits of laughter by a classic retort from a Kiwi journo.

McCullum was struggling to see the shortish reporter and asked him to stand up... The reporter's response cracked up the room and the Kiwi skipper.

WATCH THE SLEDGE IN THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

HEY, WHAT'S THE CRICKET SCORE?

Kiwi Scott McLaughlin made his priorities clear while flying round the Symmons Plains circuit during the V8 SuperSprint in Tasmania.

McLaughlin had something else on his mind while flying round Symmons Plains. Source: Getty Images

The Garry Rogers Motorsport driver was in sixth position when he radioed his team for a score update of the cricket World Cup final.

However McLaughlin would have to wait until he crossed the finish line to see how his beloved Kiwis were tracking after his engineer was fuming at the request, telling McLaughlin to focus on the job at hand.

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COOL, CALM AND IN STITCHES

Australia coach Darren Lehmann likes to keep his dressing room relaxed, whatever the occasion.

As Australia prepared to field against New Zealand in the World Cup final, comedian and cricket tragic Andy Lee had the team in stitches before the biggest game of their careers.

David Warner and Lehmann were particularly amused as Lee held court in front of the Australia team and a capacity MCG.

Lee, the Melbourne Stars permanent 12th man, was pushing for a start at the MCG but said Lehmann was resting him for a more important game.

JETER'S BIG SWITCH?

They say baseball is America's cricket.

Retired New York Yankee's superstar Derek Jeter was spotted strutting his stuff on the MCG before the start of play of the World Cup final.

So, is the owner of 260 career home runs thinking of a code switch? Probably not, but the legendary slugger would be quite handy with willow in hand.

WE'RE AN ODD BUNCH, US AUSSIES

@googledownunder has compiled a list of questions trending during the first innings of the World Cup final.

Kiwi fans were trying to get to grips with the finer points of cricket, while Aussies fans were more interested in pancakes and murder.

RECORD CROWD HITS THE 'G

Over 91,112 fans packed the MCG for the World Cup final. Source: News Corp Australia

The MCG has beaten its own world record for the highest single-day attendance at an international cricket match after a crowd of over 91,112 attended the World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand.

The total number was not immediately available, but the ICC made an announcement late in New Zealand's innings that the figure was higher than the 91,112 who watched day one of the 2013 Boxing Day Ashes Test.

Fans pack the MCG. Source: News Corp Australia

Last night's figure also beat the one-day international cricket record which was a crowd of 87,182 at the 1992 World Cup final, also at the MCG. - Greg Buckle

UP ALL NIGHT ... AND THEN UP ALL DAY

If the celebrations after Australia's Ashes win last summer are anything to go by, Sunday night (and Monday morning) is going to be pretty epic.

But the world champion Australians will still front up for a free fan event in Melbourne's Federation Square at the rather unfriendly hour of 11.30am on Monday.

The squad will take to the stage with the World Cup trophy and sign autographs for fans.

The last time an event like that was held, Test opener Chris Rogers famously turned up about an hour late and looking rather worse for wear. As punishment he was forced to bust out a few of his infamous dance moves for the cameras.

GERMANY LOVES 'AUSTRALIEN'

The good citizens of Germany were abuzz with Cricket World Cup talk ahead of the final. At least that's the analysis of Google's Down Under types.

They tweeted an almost 400 per cent increase in our country's name over the past week, crediting that to #CWC15 — the World Cup hashtag.

Remarkable figures indeed but probably nothing to do with the World Cup. The Socceroos did play in Kaiserslautern midweek, drawing 2-2 with the world champion FOOTBALL team.

MITCH FOR PM!

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