Australia won the World Cup!

29/04/2007

Australia become the first team to win a third consecutive World Cup title as they beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method) in the finals of the 2007 edition at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on Saturday.

Australis won the toss and elected to bat first, Glichrist hit the fastest and biggest ever century in World Cup final. His 15th ODI ton that came of 72 deliveries was 10 balls faster than Clive Lloyd's hundred in the 1975 final against Australia at the Lord's. He also passed Ricky Ponting's 140 not out against India in the 2003 final at Johannesburg and was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match. Glenn McGrath, playing his last game, won the Man of the Tournament award.

In reply, Sri Lanka's chase suffered an early hiccup when they lost Upul Tharanga in just the third over. Nathan Bracken had him caught behind by Adam Gilchrist for six. Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara then put on a 116-run partnership to keep the Lankan chase well on track before the lost their wickets in quick succession. The Lankans never recovered after that.

Sangakkara made 54 from 52 deliveries before he holed out to Ponting off a Brad Hogg delivery in the 20th over. His knock included six fours and one six. Jayasuriya made 63 from 67 balls with nine boundaries.

Score : Australia 281/4 in 38 overs (Gilchrist 149, Hayden 38, Ponting 37, Malinga 2/49) Sri Lanka 215/8 in 36 overs (Jayasuriya 63, Sangakkara 54, Clarke 2/33, Symonds 1/6)