Clarke's Aussies on cruise control

Australia lauded its World Cup winning team on Monday for a "fairytale" victory on home soil over New Zealand, with praise heaped on retiring one-day captain Michael Clarke after a dream farewell.

Clarke hit 74 as Australia cruised home by seven wickets in a one-sided final in front of a record crowd of 93,013 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The win, culminating a grueling tournament, was front-page news across the country with The Australian newspaper saying: "Pitch perfect Australia lives the dream to claim fifth World Cup".