Hailing the 2015 World Cup as the most popular in cricket's history, International Cricket Council chairman Narayanswami Srinivasan on Monday said the event's success has proved that the One-Day International format is in good health.
Australia crushed New Zealand by seven wickets in Sunday's final, attended by over 93,000 spectators at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Srinivasan said the ICC is delighted with the manner in which the game's pinnacle 50-over event was hosted and delivered.
"On behalf of the ICC, I would like to firstly congratulate Australia on its fifth ICC Cricket World Cup win. Australia displayed great tenacity, skill levels and consistency throughout the tournament and are worthy winners," Srinivasan said in a statement.
"It was a wonderful event with many thrilling highs and magic moments, which will live long in the memory. Australia has set a new benchmark for limited overs cricket and our congratulations to them, and indeed all of the competing teams, which produced excellent cricket over the past seven weeks and thoroughly entertained the followers of the game worldwide," he added.
Srinivasan praised co-hosts Australia and New Zealand for putting up a grand show.
"It is not an easy task hosting an event of this scale and I would like to extend my special thanks to the ICC staff as well as Local Organising Committee Chairman Ralph Waters, CEO John Harnden, Head of New Zealand Therese Walsh and the rest of the team who worked extremely hard across both host countries over the last three years to ensure the delivery of a truly world-class tournament.
"I would also like to pay tribute to Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket for their support in the build-up to, and during the event," Srinivasan said.
Besides, the ICC chief lauded the fans, who thronged the venues, ensuring good crowds through the tournament.
"The ICC had strived to deliver a fan-friendly spectacle, and it has achieved its target. Over one million spectators have passed through the turnstiles over the course of the last seven weeks and our thanks to them and, indeed, to all followers of the game globally for the support they have given the competing sides," he said.
Srinivasan also commended the work done by match officials and ground curators.
"Congratulations to our Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Match Referees, who have once again displayed a high level of officiating throughout the competition. The curators and ground-staff who produced quality pitches across all 14 also deserve special mention.
"Finally, a special word of thanks to the unsung heroes of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 -- the team of volunteers in each of the cities whose assistance, courtesy and hospitality added enormously to the feel-good factor around the event," he said.
"As we reflect on the success of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, it has reinforced 50-over cricket as a hugely exhilarating format of the game, which attracts a large global following."
SRINIVASAN BOOED AT MCG
However, in a major embarrassment for the ICC, Srinivasan was booed by the huge crowd at MCG when his name was announced during the presentation ceremony at the end of the World Cup final.
Srinivasan presented the trophy to Australia's winning captain Michael Clarke, while India's batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, who was the 2015 World Cup ambassador, presented the Player of the Tournament and the Player of the Match awards to Australia's Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner respectively.
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