2007 ODI World Cup — Australia's Third Consecutive Title

The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was held in the West Indies — a return to the region that hosted the inaugural 1975 tournament. Australia won their third consecutive World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka in a final that was marred by fading light and a controversial DLS completion, but illuminated by Adam Gilchrist's extraordinary batting.

Adam Gilchrist's 149

Adam Gilchrist's 149 from 104 balls in the final against Sri Lanka was one of the greatest individual batting performances in World Cup history. Batting with a squash ball hidden in his glove (a quirky personal habit), Gilchrist attacked from the first ball — hitting Sri Lanka's bowlers through and over the infield with brutal efficiency. Australia reached 281/4 and, despite Sri Lanka's target being revised to 269 in 38 overs under DLS, won the title easily.

Tournament Structure Controversies

The 2007 World Cup was heavily criticised for its format — an unwieldy 16-team group structure that produced too many one-sided matches. Ireland's victory over Pakistan in the group stage was one of the tournament's highlights, but the early exits of India and Pakistan caused viewing figures to collapse in sub-continental markets. The ICC subsequently restructured future World Cups in response.

Tragedies and Tensions

The 2007 World Cup was shadowed by the death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer, who died in his hotel room in Kingston hours after Pakistan's elimination against Ireland. The death was initially treated as suspicious, but Jamaican authorities eventually ruled it a natural death. The tournament was also marked by poor pitch conditions at some venues and crowd control issues.