Bridgetown, Barbados
Australia's decision to bat first in spite of the day's rainy start
stands justified the way Gilchrist caused mayhem and pulverized the
Sri Lankan bowling to score 149 runs – registering the highest
individual score in the World Cup final. Gilchrist's innings
included 13 fours and 8 sixes (which interestingly makes it 100 runs
from the boundaries).
The
Australian innings, reduced to 38 overs per side due to delayed start, ended
with a mammoth total of 281 for 4 wickets, registering a run rate of 7.39 per
over.'
Gilchrist, who has not
been in his best form so far in the 16-nation tournament, rose to
the occasion after heavy morning rains delayed the start of the
match. He duly registered his 15th century as Australia dominated
the Sri Lankan bowlers who looked pedestrian on a pitch that offered
little in humid conditions.
Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden gave Australia a whirlwind start after
captain Ponting won the toss and decided to bat first at Kensington
Oval. When the action started much time was lost and hence 12 overs
each were cut from both innings.
Gilchrist, who had failed in the semi-final against South Africa,
and Hayden went after the Sri Lankan attack that was the same that
helped beat New Zealand in the semi-final. They gave little respect
to all six bowlers pressed into service as the openers played their
strokes with gusto, particularly Gilchrist.
The combination of a left-hander, Gilchrist, and a right-hander,
Hayden, also played a part in unsettling the bowlers. They raised
172 for the opening wicket inside 23 overs to take the wind out of
the Sri Lankans.
Under their onslaught, Sri Lankans' fielding fell apart and there
were many slips under pressure. Gilchrist finally got out when
he top edged a pull shot off pacer Dilhara Fernando and Chamara
Silva took the skier at mid wicket.
Hayden was the second best batsman with 38 while Ponting scored 37.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga took two wickets to be the most
successful bowler.
Scoreboard
Australia innings
AC Gilchrist c Silva b Fernando 149
ML Hayden c Jayawardene b Malinga 38
RT Ponting run out (Jayawardene) 37
A Symonds not out 22
SR Watson b Malinga 3
MJ Clarke not out 8
Extras (lb 4, w 16, nb 3) 23
Total (4 wickets; 38 overs) 281
To bat MEK Hussey, GB Hogg, NW Bracken, SW Tait, GD McGrath
Fall of wickets1-172 (Hayden, 22.5 ov), 2-224 (Gilchrist, 30.3 ov),
3-261 (Ponting, 35.4 ov), 4-266 (Watson, 36.2 ov)
Bowling
WPUJC Vaas 8-0-54-0 (2nb, 1w)
SL Malinga 8-1-49-2
CRD Fernando 8-0-74-1 (1nb, 4w)
M Muralitharan 7-0-44-0 (2w)
TM Dilshan 2-0-23-0 (1w)
ST Jayasuriya 5-0-33-0
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