The Hindu : Australia retains World Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 24, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Australia retains World Cup

Photo: V.V. KRISHNAN

The Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting and his team-mates receive the World Cup from the ICC President, Malcolm Gray, after beating India by 125 runs in the finals at Johannesburg on Sunday.

JOHANNESBURG MARCH 23. Australia retained the World Cup with a 125-run win over India in today's final at the Wanderers. Skipper Ricky Ponting scored an unbeaten 140 off 121 balls as Australia compiled 359 for two — a record total for a World Cup final — after being sent in to bat first.

In reply, India was bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs, with Glenn McGrath snaring three wickets, including that of Sachin Tendulkar in the first over.

Australia extended its winning stretch to 17 matches, collected an unprecedented third world title and became the first team since the West Indies in 1979 to successfully defend the World Cup.

The Australians previously won cricket's quadrennial showpiece in 1987 and 1999.

McGrath picked up the last wicket, having Zaheer Khan caught by Darren Lehmann for four, with the Indians still needing 126 runs off 10.4 overs.

The 33-year-old paceman finished with 3 for 52.

Opener Virender Sehwag scored a run-a-ball 82 before his runout spelled the end of India's hopes.

Earlier, Ponting's unbeaten 140 — the highest individual score in a World Cup final — and his 234-run third wicket stand with Martyn had propelled Australia to its highest total in limited overs matches.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

U.S. forces near Baghdad

Al-Jazeera TV shows U.S. PoWs

Australia retains World Cup

Ex-Hizb commander shot dead

Ansari brought back

INSAT-3A launch

Inflation rises