The Magic of Hattrick World Cups

On this day, in 2007, Australia won their third consecutive World Cup, and the first team to do so. They faced Sri Lankan team at Barbados, which became the second time to be faced by these two teams in the World Cup Final, where at 1996 World Cup, they both faced which were won by Sri Lanka. 

Australian Captain, won the toss and without any hesitation chosen to bat first. The match was interrupted due to rain, which made the umpires to play the game for just 38 overs. Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden came into bat. On that day, Australians were literally hitting each and every single delivery bowled by Sri Lankan Bowlers, particularly it was a day to be remembered for Adam Gilchrist as he smashed 149 off just 104 deliveries with hitting 13 fours and 8 sixes. If we think, the knock of Ricky Ponting's during 2003 WC is the best, then this is something humongous. The base set by Gilchrist, made Australia to score 281/4 in the end of 38 overs. This is even tough score on those days for scoring at 50 overs, then imagine the toughness to chase this target in 38 overs. Each and every bowler of Sri Lanka, were given runs at without less then 6 runs per over, where Fernando is ruthlessly hit with him conceeding 74 runs in 8 overs of his spell.   

Sri Lankan openers had a huge responsibility in their hand to bat out extremely well against the greatest bowlers. Sri Lanka lost their first wicket early but Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara were well in the game with smacking boundaries all around. When they were batting, it showed that the match is on with a greatest competitive cricket match is on. But after Sangakkara lost his wicket for 54, the match slowly started fade away. Further, the game was suspended at 33 overs due to bad light which declared Australia as winners. They started to celebrate but again umpires requested to play 3 overs and both captains had agreed to do so. It was complete darkness at the end and Sri Lanka scored 215/8 at 36 overs, which declared Australia as winners by D/L method. On field, Adam Gilchrist had grabbed a diving catch and also effected a stumping which awarded him the Man of The Match.

Australia won the tournament undefeated and they maintained streak of 29 consecutive World Cup winning streak. It is a great thing to win 3 consecutive World Cups where some teams are struggling to win even a single one, with 29 undefeated win !!. The aggressive and attacking Australian Team under Ricky Ponting is one of the best ever in the world.