OTD| Australia completed their hat-trick of World Cup wins by beating Sri Lanka in 2007

In this article, we will discuss the On This Day Australia completed their hat-trick of World Cup wins by beating Sri Lanka in 2007. April 28th, 2007, is etched in history as the day Australia cemented their dominance in the cricketing world by achieving an unprecedented feat- clinching their third consecutive Cricket World Cup title. This victory marked the culmination of a remarkable journey for the Australian team, solidifying their position as the undisputed kings of One-Day International cricket.

The stage for this historic win was set in the Caribbean, with the West Indies playing host to the 2007 World Cup. The tournament itself was filled with exciting moments and unexpected results. Powerhouses like India and Pakistan were sent packing early, while teams like Bangladesh surprised everyone with their spirited performances.

Australia, however, was a force to be reckoned with. They carried the momentum of their previous two World Cup victories (1999 and 2003) and remained undefeated throughout the tournament. Their batting line-up boasted the likes of the swashbuckling Adam Gilchrist, the dependable Ricky Ponting, and the elegant Michael Clarke. The bowling attack was equally lethal, with Glenn McGrath’s precision and Shaun Tait’s raw pace proving a nightmare for most batsmen.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a strong team of their own. Led by the veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and the prolific run-scorer Kumar Sangakkara, their batting possessed immense firepower. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by the wily Muttiah Muralitharan, was known for its cunning variations.

The final, played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, turned out to be a dramatic affair, heavily influenced by Caribbean weather. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. What followed was a masterclass in batting by Adam Gilchrist. He tore into the Sri Lankan bowling attack, smashing a belligerent 149 runs off just 104 balls. His innings was laced with 13 fours and a staggering eight sixes. The rest of the Australian batting line-up chipped in with valuable contributions, helping them post a daunting total of 281 runs in what was a rain-reduced 38-over innings.

Sri Lanka’s chase began steadily, with Jayasuriya and Sangakkara stitching together a century partnership after the fall of an early wicket. However, wickets began to fall at regular intervals, and the required run rate started to climb. Rain further disrupted the match, forcing a revision of the target to 269 runs in 36 overs using the Duckworth-Lewis method. The chase became a tense battle under fading light. Chasing a revised target with an ever-increasing run rate proved too much for the Sri Lankan batsmen. The match eventually ended with Sri Lanka falling short by 53 runs.

Australia’s victory sparked jubilant celebrations. They had not only achieved a historic hat-trick of World Cup titles but had also extended their unbeaten run in World Cup matches to a staggering 29 games. The win solidified their reputation as the most formidable ODI team of the era. The 2007 World Cup final will forever be remembered for Adam Gilchrist’s whirlwind knock and the dramatic finish under fading light. It was a day that cemented Australia’s legendary status in cricket history and marked a defining moment in the sport itself.