Aussies win third successive World Cup

Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies

Cricket: In a rain ruined game where the overs were reduced and the Duckworth/Lewis system was introduced in the 2007 World Cup final here today Australia clinched the ICC World Cup with over US$ two million in prize money.

It was a sad end to a final that promised so much.

The Lankans although they lost, that they entered the final was great reward for their hard work throughought the tournament. They were confident and they can be satisfied that they were robbed of winning this final by the fickle Barbados weather.

Chasing 282 for victory in 38 overs, and when Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara were going great guns the target looked gettable.

But once they went - Sangakkara 54 with 6 fours and one six and Jayasuriya for 63 with 9 fours who, put on 126 for the second wicket Lanka's chances diminished.

In rain and bad light play was stopped and when it restarted the Lankans had to make 269 for victory in 36 overs which was beyond the Lankans reach.

Lanka finally made - 216 for 8 wickets.

The Australians thus became the only country to win the World Cup three times in a row.

Gilchrist when he made 149 hit the highest and quickest century in one-day finals since its inception.

The day dawned bright and sunny and with the spectators flocking to the ground sporting their diverse colours, a wonderful final was on the cards.

But an hour before the schedule starting time a thin drizzle turned hard and the covers had to be brought out to protest the wicket, especially from being a affected.

From then on it was frustration with starts likely and delayed and when Ricky Pointing won the toss, he surprised everyone by batting because of the overcast conditions.

But then when the clouds rolled by and the Aussies batted and the brutal manner in which Adam Gilchrist blasted and tore the Lankan attack, Ponting's decision was justified.

Sri Lanka and Australia fielded their semi-final teams not wanting to do any tinkering. The beliefs that the wicket would sweat and there would be moisture because it was covered was only a myth as the Aussie openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden made a sumptuous curry of the Lankan attack.

When the overs were reduced to 38 a side it took away most of the interest and the game as a contest was lost what with three bowlers allowed a maximum of 8 overs and two bowlers to bowl a maximum of 7 overs. Only two power plays were permitted.

The Lankan attack which was respected upto the final, went to pieces as a hurricane in the form of Gilchrist caused devastation not seen in world cup final before.

Gilchrist had not made his presence felt in the earlier games, made amends with interest as he bludgeoned the attack showing no mercy on any of the bowlers to reach his 50 in 43 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

His century came in 72 balls with 8 fours and 6 sixes. When he went for 149 he had hit 13 fours and 8 sixes.

It was a truly great innings befitting a final. Matthew Hayden who had made three centuries in this series, was pedestrian as his illustrious partner was cutting loose. They put on 172 for the first wicket, when Hayden went for 38.

The Gilchrist and Ponting added 52 for the second wicket when Gilchrist finally departed much to the delight of the Lankans but by that time he had set his team on course for a formidable score. In all he faced 106 balls.

Ponting went for 37 run out by Jayawardena. Before being out Ponting showed hits unsporting qualities by running down the centre of the pitch which warranted an official warning by umpire Steve Bucknor. Shane Watson was bowled by Malinga for 3 with Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke remaining unbeaten on 23 and 8 as the Aussies made 281 for 5 a formidable score considering the circumstances.

Of the bowlers Malinga had the best figures of 2 for 49, while it was a sad sight to see Dilhara Fernando going for 74 in his 8 overs.