Australia's hat-trick was never in doubt
By Orin Davidson In Barbados
Stabroek News
April 29, 2007
The script stayed intact, it never deviated left, right nor centre, it was Australia all the way.
The only unexpected happening in yesterday's World Cup final was the reduction of the game to a 38- over affair.
Even the star of the show did not come as a complete surprise.
Although Adam Gilchrist was having a poor World Cup by his standards, you know he could go berserk at any time.
And he chose the grand finale to unleash another blitz that should be remembered as one of the most spectacular batting displays ever in a World Cup final.
It was fitting that Australia's historic hat-trick of World Cup titles was highlighted by such a commanding performance. .
Gilchrist's 149 runs off a mere 104 balls was another reminder he is one of the several unique talents that have made them champions of the world for more than a decade. Such exploits have helped bring back the excitement that have breathed life into the sport whose popularity was being threatened before this Australian juggernaut team came into being.
Australia's third straight World Cup finals victory in a row was never in doubt, neither was the margin of their 36-run triumph.
You can never be bored when Australia is contesting a game whether it is either of the two varieties and Gilchrist has been one of the chief architects in taking his team's game to new heights.
Sri Lanka enjoyed their best World Cup this time around since 1996, but it was not going to be their day yesterday once captain Mahela Jayawardene lost the toss and his team as made to bowl first
Their bowling is Sri Lanka's strength but the majority of the attack is an inexperienced lot, more so in big game situations. They won the majority of their early round games bowling last, when the West Indies pitches are most likely to suit their type.
But coming up against the might of Australia on a fresh, true strip was exposing Lasith Malinga, Dilharo Fernando and others to a baptism of fire.
And none other is better equipped than Gilchrist to beat the stuffings out of any attack that eventually yielded 281.
Sri Lanka had their good moments too when Sanath Jayasuria and Kumara Sangakarra sparkled with a flurry of boundaries in the early half of their innings, that showed why they are the runner-up team in this World Cup. But you require never-ending depth to beat Australia in a major match-up and Sri Lanka is not that team, neither is any of the other eight Test playing nations who all feel by the wayside.
That depth was exemplified when it was apparent Gilchrist had appeared out of the blue to upstage their run machine this World Cup Matthew Hayden.
They took five overs to get the measure of the Sri Lanka attack and by the time 15 were done, they had sped to 95 with Gilchrist leaving Hayden trailing in his wake, outscoring his more established opening mate 67 runs to 21. Gilchrist brought up his 50 off 43 balls but his next 50 required a mere 29. Such was his destruction of the Sri Lanka attack, you wondered if it was Perth all over again when Gilchrist came within one ball of smashing Sir Vivian Richards's 56-ball Test hundred world record against England last year.
By the time their partnership finally ended after a massive 172 opening stand, Hayden who had amassed 621 runs before yesterday, was reduced to a virtual spectator contributing a mere 38. He had seen his partner clout 13 fours and eight sixes.
Even Ponting whose rapacious 138-ball 140 which lit up the last World Cup final only had time to add 37.
But the captain would've been more pleased he had the firepower in his bowling attack to seal the victory.
Jayasuria reminded the Australians that his reputation was built on his ball-beating ability when he threatened to match Gilchrist's blitz in a scintillating 109-run second wicket partnership with Sangakarra.
They blazed a trail of runs, with Jayasuria's aggression rubbing off on his younger partner that forced Ponting to wring his changes, which eventually produced the goods like only Australia can.
At 37 years, Jayasuria is enjoying the last sunset of his career and the aging warrior eventually wilted under the pressure of maintaining the eight- runs an over required run rate and the relentless Aussie attack.
After reaching his 50 in 51 balls, he moved down the itch and essayed a tired swipe across the line and was bowled by of all bowlers - part-timer, Michael Clarke, for 63.
Such against- the- run of play acts are qualities that have stood Australia head and shoulders above all else. Just like Clarke's run out of AB Devillers in their key first round clash decided that match, Clarke's removal of Jayasuria turned thegame in Australia's favour permanently.
Their only bother for the remainder of the game was the mis-interpretation of the rules by umpires Bucknor and Dar that delayed their moment of glory with a premature end of the match that resulted in a farcical recall of the players to incorrectly complete 36 overs.
For Australia's magnificent achievement, playing unbeaten in the entire competition and the crushing manner of their victories, they did not deserve an anti-climactic finish.