Aussies win Cricket World Cup

Australia today completed a comprehensive and almost inevitable triumph over India to become the first side to lift the World Cup three times.

The Aussies not only lived up to their billing but exceeded it with a level of performance which simply overwhelmed the next-best side in the tournament.

Virtually the only time the outcome was in doubt at The Wanderers was during a 25-minute hold-up for rain after 17 overs of India’s reply – because under tournament regulations a washout before the 25-over cut-off point would have resulted in a new match being played tomorrow.

That worrying interval apart, though, Australia dominated throughout – having owed much to captain Ricky Ponting’s unbeaten 140 on the way to a record 359 for two which eclipsed the previous best World Cup final score of 291 for eight, recorded by the West Indies in 60 overs back in 1975.

Australia provided a vivid and breath-taking exhibition of one-day strokeplay - and then effectively restrict India’s previously impressive batting line-up.

India, who boasted the two leading run-scorers of the tournament in Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, collapsed to 234 all out in 39.2 overs as Australia completed a 125-run triumph.

Today’s victory confirms Australian dominance as they recorded their 17th successive one-day international victory to go through the tournament unbeaten.