Perhaps the best batsman in the world, Australia’s Steve Smith was part of the Kangaroo’s record fifth World Cup title in 2015, which came at home. Australia had defeated New Zealand, their co-hosts of the tournament in the finals to become champions.

Smith had gotten a promotion to no.3 when captain Michael Clarke got injured and acting captain George Bailey took over in the initial part of the tournament. This led to massive success for him in the World Cup.

Brendon McCullum reflects back on New Zealand's loss in finals to Australia in 2015 World Cup

In his last five innings of the tournament, he passed 50 on each occasion, converting one of those half-centuries into three figures when it mattered most – against India in the semi-final at the SCG. This was the innings; Smith called his best ever in the World Cup.

Smith recalls, "That's probably my favorite one-day innings. At home, in front of my friends and family in a World Cup semi-final against a star-studded India. I remember 'Finchy' was having a bit of trouble, he was finding it hard to score at stages but we were fortunate enough to get a partnership together and build ourselves a platform and do some damage at the end with the firepower we had in the sheds.”

Smith had scored 105 from 93 balls and called it his finest in 50-over cricket.

"I think it is my best one-day innings, just with all the pressure of a semi-final of a World Cup, at home to be able to do it there," he said.

His good form spelled doom for New Zealand in the finals at the MCG, when they were bowled out for 183 batting first. Smith’s willow spoke in the final as well, making an unbeaten on 56 as Australia chased down 184 for victory inside 34 overs.

(cricket.com.au inputs)