AusLeisure

More than 1 million people packed into stadiums across Australia and New Zealand during the ICC Cricket World Cup, making this year's tournament the most popular in its history.

A total of 1,016,421 people flocked to 49 matches over 44 days across the two host nations, and an estimated 1 billion people watched the tournament across the globe.

More than 93,000 fans crammed into Melbourne's MCG stadium on Sunday night (29th March), setting a new record in Australia for one day international match attendance - surpassing the 87,182 fans who flocked to the 1992 World Cup Final – also at the MCG.

Sunday’s final also set a new record for a single day's cricket in Australia, beating the previous best of 91,112 set at the MCG during the Ashes series in 2013.

The combined figures - topped with "unprecedented social media activity" - made the tournament the most popular in the Cricket World Cup's 40 year history, according to International Cricket Council Local Organising Committee Chief Executive John Harnden.

Harnden explained “when the local organising committee was set up in 2012 our vision was to inspire passion and participation in a celebration of the game, and the fans have responded beyond our expectations.

"Overall, we have sold out 20 of the 49 matches in this World Cup. Perhaps most satisfying of all, eight of those sold out matches did not involve Australia or New Zealand.

"This has been a real bonus for tourism ... but it also shows just how diverse our two countries have become with large numbers of local cricket fans from different backgrounds supporting different teams."

"Cricket has again demonstrated its popularity and its ability to unite people at a local, national and international level."

Sunday’s final was played in a carnival atmosphere as supporters for co-hosts Australia and New Zealand made up a raucous, record crowd for the final at the MCG.

While green and gold were the dominant colors at the MCG, there were also plenty of black caps and shirts.

A significant number of Indian fans in their blue team colours also joined the celebration despite their team squad missing the final after a semi final loss to Australia on Thursday.

Just over an hour after the match, while cleaning staffed vacuumed golden confetti from the MCG outfield, the ground staff was busy working on the wicket square.

With the MCG using a drop in cricket pitch to accommodate the needs of AFL, which shares the ground, work was underway in preparing the surface for the opening match of the AFL Premiership season between Richmond and Carlton on Thursday evening (2nd April).

Images: The MCG (top) and Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

28th March 2015 - MCG SET FOR BATTLE AGAINST THE CLOCK

24th March 2015 - WELLINGTON FAREWELLS THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

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