Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden with the Australian Flag
On 28th April 2007, Australia completed a remarkable hat-trick by winning the ODI World Cup for the third consecutive time, after lifting the trophy in 1999 and 2003. This incredible run showed how strong and consistent Australia was over a 12-year period. Their dominance over world cricket during this time remains unmatched. Let us take a look at Australia’s journey in the 2007 World Cup and how they performed in the final to lift the trophy once again and create history.
The day of 28th April 2007 saw the grand finale of the ICC World Cup 2007 unfold at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, where Australia cemented their dominance by clinching their third consecutive World Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 53 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method. The final, curtailed by rain and fading light, was marked by an iconic innings from Adam Gilchrist, who produced one of the most destructive knocks ever witnessed in a World Cup final.
Australia, after winning the toss, chose to bat first in a match shortened to 38 overs per side. Their innings began steadily but quickly gained momentum thanks to an explosive start from openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden. Gilchrist was in unstoppable form, blasting his way to a scintillating 149 runs off just 104 deliveries, smashing 13 fours and 8 towering sixes. His strike rate of 143.26 perfectly reflected his aggressive intent, and he dominated the Sri Lankan bowling attack, using a squash ball inside his glove to enhance his grip, a tactic that later became a topic of much discussion.
Matthew Hayden played a supporting role, scoring 38 runs from 55 balls, including three fours and a six, before falling to Lasith Malinga. After Hayden’s dismissal at 172/1, Gilchrist continued his onslaught with captain Ricky Ponting, adding valuable runs. Ponting himself contributed 37 from 42 balls before being run out, and after Gilchrist’s eventual dismissal at 224/2, Andrew Symonds (23 not out off 21 balls) and Michael Clarke (8 not out off 6 balls) helped Australia finish at a formidable 281 for 4 in their allotted 38 overs. Extras played a significant part too, with 23 runs coming from wides, no-balls, and leg byes.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers found little success against the rampaging Australians. Lasith Malinga was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 49 runs in his 8 overs. Dilhara Fernando chipped in with 1 wicket but was expensive, conceding 74 runs in his full quota. Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan went wicketless, giving away 44 runs in his 7 overs. Chasing a revised target of 269 from 36 overs due to further rain interruptions, Sri Lanka’s innings began under pressure.
Upul Tharanga was the first to fall, caught behind off Nathan Bracken for just 6 runs. Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara then stitched together a 100-run partnership, providing hope to the Sri Lankan fans. Jayasuriya scored a brave 63 off 67 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while Sangakkara made a fluent 54 off 52 balls, laced with six fours and a six. However, once Jayasuriya was bowled by Michael Clarke and Sangakkara followed soon after, Sri Lanka’s innings began to unravel. Their middle order failed to capitalize on the strong platform.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene, who had been the tournament’s standout performer, was trapped lbw by Shane Watson for 19. Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan tried to keep the chase alive but could not withstand the rising required run rate. Wickets continued to tumble regularly, and none of the lower-order batters could mount a significant resistance. Lasith Malinga showed some fight, scoring 10 off just 6 balls, including a six, but it was too little too late. With Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando at the crease, Sri Lanka finished at 215 for 8 in 36 overs, falling short by 53 runs under the D/L method.
The Australian bowlers shared the wickets among them. Michael Clarke impressed with 2 for 33 in 5 overs, while Glenn McGrath, playing his last ODI, fittingly picked up a wicket and conceded just 31 runs in his 7 overs. Bracken, Watson, Brad Hogg, and Andrew Symonds each took a wicket as well, ensuring Sri Lanka never threatened Australia’s grip on the match.
Adam Gilchrist was deservedly named Player of the Match for his breathtaking innings that completely dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Glenn McGrath was honoured with the Player of the Series award after taking 26 wickets in the tournament, finishing as the highest wicket-taker. His retirement from ODIs after the tournament marked the end of an era for Australian cricket.
Starting their journey against Scotland, Australia set the tone for a memorable campaign in the 2007 ODI World Cup. They crushed Scotland by a massive margin of 203 runs, kicking off a tournament run that would see them go unbeaten all the way to the trophy. In their next group match, Australia faced the Netherlands and continued their dominance with a 229-run victory, showcasing their firepower with both bat and ball. The final group stage match was against South Africa, a much tougher opponent, but Australia maintained their ruthless form with an 83-run win to top their group easily.
As the Super 8 stage began, Australia remained unstoppable. They first defeated the West Indies by 103 runs and then crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets, highlighting the gap between themselves and the rest. England was their next challenge, but even their old rivals could not slow them down, as Australia secured a comfortable seven-wicket win. Ireland was brushed aside with a nine-wicket victory, and a crucial match against Sri Lanka saw Australia once again emerge on top, winning by seven wickets. They wrapped up the Super 8s by thrashing New Zealand by 215 runs, confirming their place at the top with an unbeaten record.
| Event | Opposition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Scotland | Won by 203 runs |
| Group Stage | Netherlands | Won by 229 runs |
| Group Stage | South Africa | Won by 83 runs |
| Super 8s | West Indies | Won by 103 runs |
| Super 8s | Bangladesh | Won by 10 wickets |
| Super 8s | England | Won by 7 wickets |
| Super 8s | Ireland | Won by 9 wickets |
| Super 8s | Sri Lanka | Won by 7 wickets |
| Super 8s | New Zealand | Won by 215 runs |
| Semifinal | South Africa | Won by 7 wickets |
| Final | Sri Lanka | Won by 53 runs (D/L method) |
In the semifinal, Australia took on South Africa once again. It was expected to be a close contest, but Australia’s bowlers led the way, and they marched into the final with a dominant seven-wicket victory. In the final, facing Sri Lanka, Australia delivered one last powerful performance, winning by 53 runs (D/L method) and lifting their third consecutive World Cup title.
Throughout the tournament, Australia’s batting was a major strength. Matthew Hayden was the standout batsman, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer for his team. In 11 matches, Hayden smashed 659 runs at an incredible average of 73.22 and a strike rate of 101.07. He scored three centuries and one fifty, with a highest score of 158. His explosive batting at the top gave Australia fast starts in nearly every match.
Captain Ricky Ponting also had an excellent tournament, scoring 539 runs in 9 innings at an average of 67.37 and a strike rate of 95.39. Ponting hit one century and four fifties, providing solid middle-order stability. Michael Clarke added further strength, scoring 436 runs at an outstanding average of 87.20 and a strike rate close to 95. Shane Watson and Adam Gilchrist also played important roles. Gilchrist, in particular, saved his best for the final, hammering a brilliant 149 that sealed the title for Australia.
With the ball, Glenn McGrath led the way brilliantly in his final World Cup. He finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, taking 26 wickets in 11 matches at an exceptional average of 13.73 and an economy rate of 4.41. McGrath’s ability to strike early and keep things tight made a huge difference for Australia throughout the tournament.
Brad Hogg was another key bowler, claiming 21 wickets with his left-arm chinaman deliveries at an average of 15.80 and an impressive economy rate of 4.00. Shaun Tait’s raw pace also troubled batters, and he picked up 23 wickets, though he was slightly more expensive with an economy of 5.52. By winning every match and lifting the trophy without a single loss, Australia stamped their authority as one of the greatest teams in ODI World Cup history. Their unbeaten run in the 2007 tournament remains one of the most remarkable achievements in cricket.