ICC World Cup 2003 Final: Australia Beat India by 125 Runs — Ponting 140*, Johannesburg
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Final was played at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa on 23 March 2003. Australia beat India by 125 runs to win their third consecutive ODI World Cup (1999 and 2003 back-to-back after 1987 and 1999). Australia innings: 359/2 off 50 overs — Ricky Ponting 140 not out, Adam Gilchrist 57, Damien Martyn 88 not out. India innings: 234 all out off 39.2 overs — Virender Sehwag 82, Tendulkar 4 (lbw Bichel); Ponting did not bowl; Brett Lee 2/31, Andy Bichel 2/57. Australia won by 125 runs. Ricky Ponting was Player of the Match. Shane Bond (New Zealand) was not in this final but was the Player of the Tournament for the overall 2003 World Cup. Australia unbeaten through the tournament. Sourav Ganguly captained India; Ricky Ponting captained Australia. The tournament was hosted by South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Final was played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on 23 March 2003. Australia entered the final unbeaten throughout the tournament — they won all 11 of their matches in the group stage, Super Six stage and knockout rounds. India reached the final by defeating Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Kenya (again) on their way through the group stage and Super Six, defeating New Zealand and then Kenya in the semi-final. Ricky Ponting captained Australia; Sourav Ganguly captained India.
Ponting's 140* and Australia's Record 359
Australia batted first and produced a devastating display. Adam Gilchrist opened and scored 57; Ricky Ponting came in and produced one of the great World Cup Final innings — 140 not out off 121 balls. Damien Martyn contributed 88 not out in an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 234 with Ponting. Australia posted 359 for 2 — a record ODI World Cup Final total at the time. India's chase of 360 began catastrophically — Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed early for 4 (lbw Bichel). India's highest scorer was Virender Sehwag with 82, but wickets fell regularly. India were bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs. Australia won by 125 runs. Ponting was Player of the Match.
Australia's Third World Cup and Unbeaten Run
Australia's 2003 World Cup victory was their third World Cup title and their second in consecutive tournaments (also winning in 1999). Their unbeaten run through the entire 2003 tournament — 11 wins from 11 matches — remains one of the most dominant performances in World Cup history. It was the end of India's memorable 2003 World Cup campaign under Ganguly, which had seen India win 8 consecutive matches before the final. Ponting's 140* became one of the most celebrated World Cup Final innings, alongside Clive Lloyd's 102 in 1975 and Ricky Ponting's own 1999 World Cup semi-final performance.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and who were the key performers?
Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, beating India by 125 runs in the final at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on 23 March 2003. Ricky Ponting scored 140 not out and Damien Martyn 88 not out in an unbroken 234-run partnership as Australia posted 359/2. India were bowled out for 234 (Sehwag 82; Tendulkar 4 lbw Bichel). Ponting was Player of the Match. Australia went unbeaten through the entire tournament (11 wins from 11 matches). Ricky Ponting captained Australia; Sourav Ganguly captained India.
What was significant about Australia's 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup victory?
Australia's 2003 World Cup win was their third World Cup title and second consecutive (also winning in 1999). They went unbeaten through the entire 2003 tournament — 11 wins from 11 matches — one of the most dominant World Cup campaigns in history. Ricky Ponting's 140 not out in the final at Johannesburg is one of the greatest World Cup Final innings. The result denied India's outstanding 2003 World Cup campaign (which had won 8 consecutive matches before the final) under Sourav Ganguly.