World's top sporting moments of 2015

Yet another world cup year, and in cricket, Australia lifted their fifth title, even as their Antipodean neighbours New Zealand stole the thunder in Rugby's greatest spectacle. Here are some of the biggest sporting moments from the world arena.

Australia win their fifth Cricket World Cup title

Australia on March 29 clinched the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup for the fifth time, thrashing New Zealand by seven wickets to provide a perfect farewell gift to skipper Michael Clarke, who played a key role with a 74-run knock in his final ODI appearance.

After the bowlers produced a clinical performance skittling out New Zealand for 183, the stage was set for the Australian captain, who used the platform to the fullest with a stylish 72-ball innings as the hosts regained the trophy winning the match in 33.1 overs -- ending an eight-year wait.

Fight of the Century : Mayweather vs Pacquiao – A fight that never was a bout

Floyd Mayweather cemented his status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with a unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao as the "Fight of the Century" failed to live up to the hype on May 4.

The 38-year-old received scores of 116-112 from two judges. The third judge scored it 118-110. But when the results were announced the pro-Pacquiao crowd booed lustily and tried to drown out Mayweather`s post-fight comments over the public address system.

The fight is widely believed to be the most lucrative in boxing history with revenues of $400 million.

Barcelona continued to rule, captured second treble

Luis Suarez and Neymar scored second half goals to give Luis Enrique's Barcelona a 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus on June 6 and make the Spaniards the first team to twice win the European treble.

Barca achieved the feat under former coach Pep Guardiola, now with Bayern Munich, in 2009. Many believed that the team to be the greatest of all time.

Lewis Hamilton in Silver Arrows: As good as any domination

Lewis Hamilton on October 26 joined the elite group of triple Formula One world champions after winning a thrilling U.S. Grand Prix that kept the crowd on tenterhooks right to the very end.

The first British driver to win back-to-back titles, Hamilton realised a lifelong ambition to equal the tally of his boyhood idol Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian triple champion who died in 1994.

2015 Rugby World Cup: Birth of a new global sport

New Zealand beat Australia 34-17 in the final of 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham, becoming the first side to retain the Webb Ellis Cup November 1.

Captain Richie McCaw became the first man to lift the Rugby World Cup twice. Of his 148 test appearances, an all-time record, he has celebrated victory on a remarkable 131 occasions and suffered defeat only 15 times.

The tournament was hailed as the biggest Rugby World Cup ever which saw records broken on and off the pitch. This included tickets sales of over 2.47 million.