Bridgetown: Australian opener Adam Gilchrist provided the thunder and lightning, racing to the fastest century in a World Cup final on a day when smart showers threatened to call off the 2007 final on Saturday.
An uneasy truce was called between the organisers and the elements before the latter could launch one final attempt and hijack the final. The organisers opted to have each side play a total of 38 overs each with only two powerplays per team.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting called correctly and opted to bat on a pitch which his counterpart Jayawardene claimed would offer no significant gifts to both batsman and bowler. In hindsight, Jayawardene may be right. Pitches in the Caribbean have seldom had any bearing on cricket matches during this World Cup, specially the ones played by Australia.
Belligerent best
Earlier, sporadic showers sprayed the Kensington Oval threatening to disrupt the final. The fans, however, succumbed to the heady mix of punch and calypso and set about dancing, cheering and bonding with one another.
It was against this setting that openers Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden kept their momentum to destroy the Sri Lankan attack. While Gilchrist was at his belligerent best, Hayden was unusually subdued.
Caution was no longer an option and the ambiance was perfect for Gilchrist who saved his best for the last, pushing the boat out in Australia's quest to retain the World Cup. The Australian opener carved the Sri Lankan attack to shreds with brutal aggression. He was eventually out for 149.
Australia were 257/2 in 35 overs when reports last came in. Australia came into this match on the back of a record run of 28 games unbeaten in World Cup.
