World No.1 Starc is king of the Cup

Paceman Mitchell Starc has been named the 2015 Cricket World Cup player of the tournament after taking his 21st and 22nd wickets of the tournament to play a leading hand in Australia’s fifth World Cup triumph.

Starc beat out the likes of fellow paceman Trent Boult and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara for the top honour, finishing the tournament with an incredible average of 10.18, an economy rate of 3.50 and a record of taking at least two wickets in each of Australia’s eight matches.

The left-armer's performances this summer have also catipulated him to the top of the world ODI bowling rankings.

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Starc took 2-20 from eight overs in the final – including the key wicket of New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum in the match’s opening over – to again figure as an instrumental factor in his side’s success.

Starc removes McCullum in the first over

The 25-year-old delivered his most devastating performance of the tournament in Australia’s one defeat of the campaign, also against New Zealand, during the pool stages when he ripped through the Black Caps order to claim 6-28.

"I don't know what words to use. It was an amazing tournament," Starc said.

"I've worked really hard at it for a number of months, a few series ago I sat down with (Bupa Support Team assistant coach) Craig McDermott and worked out a little plan.

"To see it all come to fruition tonight and through the whole tournament really has been phenomenal." 

Starc had given every indication that he would be a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup with a series of outstanding bowling efforts in the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series against India and England that served as a warm-up event for the tournament.

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Starc celebrates the wicket of McCullum // Getty

The 25-year-old took 10 wickets in Australia’s opening two matches of that series – including six against India at the MCG – to also be named player of the tournament in that event. 

He broke the final open in the first over of the match with the wicket of New Zealand's star batsman McCullum, who was cleaned bowled by an in-swinging delivery having already played and missed twice in the over.

"I was bloody nervous. It was just great to see it come off," Starc said of the first over.

"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.

"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.

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

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

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McCullum is cleaned up by Starc // Getty

While Starc was the star performer of the tournament, it was hard to find a standout Australian bowler from a highly professional display in the field on Sunday.

After Starc had got the initial breakthrough, Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner also bowled beautifully to take three wickets each, while allrounder Glenn Maxwell chipped in with the key wicket of Martin Guptill.

Starc also picked up the wicket of Luke Ronchi for 0, while Josh Hazlewood's opening spell of 0-18 from five overs helped set the tone for a dominant display.

2015 World Cup leading wicket-takers
22 - Mitchell Starc (Australia), Trent Boult (New Zealand)
18 - Umesh Yadav (India)
17 - Morne Morkel (South Africa), Mohammad Shami (India), Jerome Taylor (West Indies)

Other Australians
15 - Mitchell Johnson
10 - James Faulkner
7 - Josh Hazlewood