ICC Cricket World Cup 2007: Australia's Fourth Title — Ponting, Unbeaten Run, DL Method Final
The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2007 was the ninth edition, hosted by the West Indies in March-April 2007. Australia won their fourth successive ODI World Cup title (1999, 2003, 2007) — remaining unbeaten across the entire tournament. Australia beat Sri Lanka in a controversial final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 28 April 2007. The match was affected by rain; Australia's final score of 281 for 4 was adjudged the target after Sri Lanka were set a Duckworth-Lewis revised target and Australia were deemed the winners by 53 runs (DL method). Ricky Ponting was Australia's captain and scored 113. Adam Gilchrist scored 149 off 104 balls in the semi-final against South Africa and 57 in the final. Matthew Hayden scored 158 against the West Indies in a group match. Glenn McGrath took 26 wickets — the most by any bowler in a single World Cup tournament.
The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2007 was the ninth edition, hosted across the Caribbean in March-April 2007 — the first World Cup in the West Indies. Australia came in as the defending champions (having won in 1999 and 2003) and remained unbeaten across all matches. They were led by Ricky Ponting and featured a full-strength squad that included Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne (retired; McGrath replaced), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ponting, and Michael Clarke.
The Final: Rain, DL Method, and Australia's Fourth Title
The final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 28 April 2007 between Australia and Sri Lanka was heavily rain-affected. Australia scored 281 for 4 off 38 overs (Gilchrist 57, Ponting 113). Rain interrupted Sri Lanka's chase; the Duckworth-Lewis method was applied and the match was concluded with Australia winning by 53 runs (DL). The final was criticised for finishing in near-darkness and for the DL method being applied in a final. Adam Gilchrist had scored 149 off 104 balls against South Africa in the semi-final — using a squash ball inside his glove, which later caused controversy. Glenn McGrath took 26 wickets in the tournament — the most in a single World Cup.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and who took the most wickets?
Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 — their fourth consecutive ODI World Cup title — defeating Sri Lanka by 53 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected final at Kensington Oval, Barbados. Ricky Ponting scored 113 in the final. Glenn McGrath took 26 wickets across the tournament — the most by any bowler in a single World Cup. Australia remained unbeaten across the entire tournament.