2007 Cricket World Cup Final: Australia's Treble and the Barbados Tie

The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup

The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was held in the West Indies — across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts, and Trinidad — and was the ninth edition of the tournament. The format was expanded to include 16 nations divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Eights round.

Australia's Dominant Campaign

Australia entered the 2007 World Cup as reigning champions having won the 1999 and 2003 tournaments. They were virtually unplayable throughout the tournament — their only blemish was losing to Sri Lanka in the Super Eights. Australia's batting was anchored by Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, while Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken led the bowling. They cruised to the final without any serious challenge.

The Final in Barbados

The final between Australia and Sri Lanka at Kensington Oval, Barbados was affected by bad light and rain. Australia batted first and posted 281/4 in 38 overs, with Ricky Ponting scoring 37 and Adam Gilchrist blazing 149 off 104 balls — one of the great World Cup final innings. Sri Lanka's chase was disrupted by rain and they finished on 215/8 off 36 overs. Under the Duckworth-Lewis method, the adjusted target gave Australia the title.

Adam Gilchrist scored 149 off 104 balls in the 2007 final, reportedly using a squash ball inside his glove to aid his grip and timing. It remains one of the most destructive World Cup final innings ever played.

Australia's Third Consecutive Title

Australia's win in 2007 gave them an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup — no other team has ever won three in a row. The 1999, 2003, and 2007 runs represent the greatest sustained dominance in World Cup history. It would be nine years before Australia next made a World Cup final.