On this day in 2007: Australia secure third straight World Cup crown
Australia won an historic third World Cup in a row on this day in 2007.
They defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in the final in Barbados.
Australia made 281 for four in a rain-hit final reduced to 38 overs a side, with Sri Lanka reaching 215 for eight.
Opener Adam Gilchrist hit a brilliant 149 off 104 balls, but the win was tainted by a controversial finish.
Australia thought they had won when play was halted with three overs left, but the match resumed before finishing in almost total darkness.
Gilchrist’s innings was the highest score in a World Cup final and the fastest century as he reached three figures off only 72 balls.
In reply, Sanath Jayasuriya (63) and Kumar Sangakkara (54) briefly raised Sri Lankan hopes with a stand of 116, but the holders eventually sealed their fourth World Cup triumph.
With 453 runs at 45.30, Adam Gilchrist was one of Australia’s top three run-scorers in the 2007 @cricketworldcup 🙌
He smashed a brilliant 149 against Sri Lanka – the highest individual score in a men’s CWC final!
On his birthday, relive that 💥 innings 📽️ pic.twitter.com/msAnnCswfY
— ICC (@ICC) November 14, 2020
Man of the match Gilchrist was delighted to finally find some form with the bat after being “frustrated” for part of the competition.
“It’s a really satisfying day and a satisfying finish to an amazing tournament,” he said.
“The great thing about our team and batting with Matthew Hayden (38) is it’s all about partnerships.
“I was starting to get a bit frustrated but it was my turn today and Matty was fantastic with his support and encouragement.”
Latest
-
NewsAshley Giles will not allow England commitments to play second fiddle to IPL
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler could find themselves involved in a calendar clash.
-
NewsAshley Giles hints at possible new faces for England in New Zealand series
Giles suggested players who recently returned from the postponed Indian Premier League into quarantine may be eased back into action gently.
-
NewsCraig Overton and Lyndon James star in big wins for Somerset and Nottinghamshire
The paceman picked up five second innings wickets to set up victory.
-
NewsGloucestershire escape the bad weather as David Payne rolls over Middlesex
The seamer claimed six for 56 and 10 wickets in the match as the visitors secured a comfortable win.
-
NewsOn this day in 2004: Muttiah Muralitharan beats Shane Warne to Test record
Muralitharan surpassed Courtney Walsh’s mark of 519 Test wickets.
-
NewsCraig Overton displays all-round talents to put Somerset on top
James Bracey also excelled as Gloucestershire pushed for victory over Middlesex.
-
NewsNottinghamshire in control against Essex as 15 wickets fall at Trent Bridge
James Anderson removed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply.
-
NewsEngland could stage remaining IPL games in September as counties contact ECB
It is believed the matches could be wrapped up in little over a fortnight if a model of two games a day and three on weekends was adopted.
-
NewsOn This Day in 1988 – Worcestershire’s Graeme Hick scores 405 in single innings
Hick set a 20th-century County Championship record six years before Brian Lara broke it with his 501 not out for Warwickshire.
-
NewsAfter a failed footballing coup in Europe, it’s time we spoke about the IPL
We have had 13 years of the IPL and, perhaps now, we can imagine that cricket today is the blueprint of what football could have looked like