Sport | Cricket
Fans fail to digest the 'farcical' end
Despite celebrating Australia's unprecedented third consecutive Cricket World Cup win, fans in the UAE said the victory was marred by a "farcical" end to the competition.
- By Zoi Constantine and Sunita Menon, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Australia's Andrew Symonds (right) dives to make his ground safely to avoid being run out as Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilhara Fernando tries to field during the final at the Kingston Oval, in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday.
Dubai: Despite celebrating Australia's unprecedented third consecutive Cricket World Cup win, fans in the UAE said the victory was marred by a "farcical" end to the competition.
The Aussies beat Sri Lanka by the Duckworth-Lewis method, but the game ended in total darkness after the umpires insisted on continuing with the game.
Australian Martin Talty, Manager of the International Department at the Dubai Racing Club, said it was a shame that Australia's historic win would probably be remembered more for the "complete and utter farce" of the final.
Australia's Consul General to the UAE Peter Linford, who travelled to Barbados for several matches, says he expected a "comfortable win" after the dominance shown by the team throughout the tournament.
"I was pretty convinced of a victory, but a closer finish would have been more exciting... I was happy that the best two teams reached the final," he said.
Cricket enthusiast Peter Deacon described the victory as "fantastic," but also expressed disappointment in the "farce."
Meanwhile, Adi Selvaratnam, a race horse trainer from Sri Lanka who is based in Dubai, said there is no point making excuses for Sri Lanka's loss.
"The better side won... We were outplayed, but it was a great feeling that a small island nation like ours made it to the finals," he told Gulf News. "The Sri Lankans did play well. I knew from the start that the Australians would win as they were the team in form."
Ravi Jaykody, a Sri Lankan financial controller, echoed Selvaratnam's sentiments, but said he was disappointed that for is second time in a row the D/L rule was applied in a key Sri Lanka- Australia match in the World Cup.
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