BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Australia completed an unprecedented hat-trick of World Cup titles with a 53-run win over a brave Sri Lanka in a rain-marred summit clash that ended in a tragi-comedy here on Saturday April 28.
Adam Gilchrist's record-breaking century of 149, the highest individual score in a final, formed the bedrock of Australia's intimidating total of 281 for four in a 38 overs a side match. Sri Lanka made a spirited attempt of the monstrous target through Sanath Jayasuriya (63) and Kumara Sangakkara (54) and their 116-run second wicket stand off 106 balls before another spell of rain took the wind out of their sails.
But the Aussies could lay their hands on the coveted trophy only after a bizarre and farcical conclusion to what has been a disastrous tournament. Set a revised target of 269 from 36 overs, the Lankans were limping at 206 for seven in the 33rd over when the umpires - Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar - decided to offer the batsmen light.
As Chamara Silva and Russel Arnold walked off the pitch, the champions began to celebrate - Glenn McGrath, in his last match for Australia, even grabbed one stump - only to be told by the umpires that the match was not over yet and might have to be continued on the reserve day. But Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene intervened and the remaining overs were played out in utter darkness.
The win gave Australia their fourth title overall, following their triumphs in 1987, 1999 and 2003, and stretched their unbeaten streak in the quadrennial event to 29. Gilchrist produced a display of magnificent stroke play to slam his maiden World Cup hundred.
The swashbuckling opener hit eight sixes and 13 fours to pummel into submission the Sri Lankan bowling which was considered the only attack in the tournament with the firepower to rein in the Aussie juggernaut. The Lankans had the right start when they checked the marauding openers, Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, to only 46 from the first 10 overs.
But two fours and one six from Gilchrist in the following over by Dilhara Fernando opened the floodgates. Gilchrist, who was reprieved a return catch by Fernando in that crucial 11th over, bettered his captain Ricky Ponting's 140 not out against India in the 2003 final. It was also the left-hander's third 50-plus score in successive world cup finals.
Lanka had the moment of the match to themselves when Gilchrist drove one uppishly back at Fernando but the low and difficult chance was spilled by the fast bowler in his follow through. Gilchrist was then on 31 and the team's score read 46 for no loss in the 10th over.
Gilchrist then flicked the next delivery for a four, straight drove the next ball for another boundary and then hoisted the tall fast bowler deep into the long off stands to rub further salt into his wounds. Gilchrist pushed off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan into cover for a single to complete his half century from 43 balls with five fours and two sixes.
Tillekaratne Dilshan was brought on from the other end and Gilchrist seized his moment with two straight sixes off the part-time bowler. Another six, this time rather flat and wide off the long-off fielder, off Fernando rushed the left-hander to his 15th one-day hundred, having faced just 72 deliveries and hit eight fours and six sixes.
Hayden, who had rather labored to 38 runs from 55 balls with three fours and a six, flicked Malinga into the hands of midwicket fielder Mahela Jayawardene.
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