2007 Cricket World Cup Final Scorecard
Incredible 2007 Cricket World Cup Final Scorecard
The 2007 Cricket World Cup Final remains one of the most memorable matches in cricket history. Played on April 28, 2007, at Kensington Oval in Barbados, the final featured two outstanding teams—Australia and Sri Lanka. Cricket fans across the globe still search for the 2007 Cricket World Cup Final scorecard Cricbuzz to relive the excitement, drama, and unforgettable performances from that historic contest.
Australia entered the final as the defending champions and favorites, while Sri Lanka hoped to repeat their 1996 World Cup success. What followed was a rain-affected but thrilling match that showcased Australia’s dominance and produced one of the greatest innings ever played in a World Cup final.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
- Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup 2007
- Match: Final
- Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
- Date: April 28, 2007
- Teams: Australia vs Sri Lanka
- Result: Australia won by 53 runs (Duckworth-Lewis Method)
Rain interruptions played a major role throughout the match. The game was reduced to 38 overs per side, creating additional pressure for both teams. Australia handled the conditions brilliantly and posted a challenging total.
Australia’s Innings: Gilchrist’s Masterclass
After winning the toss, Australian captain Ricky Ponting chose to bat first. The decision proved to be perfect as wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist produced a breathtaking innings that changed the course of the final.
Australia Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs |
|---|---|
| Adam Gilchrist | 149 |
| Matthew Hayden | 38 |
| Ricky Ponting | 37 |
| Andrew Symonds | 23* |
| Michael Clarke | 8* |
| Shane Watson | 3 |
| Extras | 23 |
| Total | 281/4 (38 overs) |
Gilchrist’s 149 runs came from just 104 balls and included numerous boundaries and massive sixes. His innings remains the highest individual score ever recorded in a Cricket World Cup final. Cricket fans still consider it one of the finest knocks played under pressure.
Matthew Hayden provided a useful start, while Ponting and Symonds added valuable contributions. Together, they helped Australia reach a formidable total of 281 runs in the reduced-over match.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Performance
Sri Lanka possessed a strong bowling attack featuring Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas, and Muttiah Muralitharan. However, Gilchrist’s aggressive batting made life extremely difficult for them.
Leading Bowlers
| Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 2 |
| Dilhara Fernando | 1 |
| Others | 1 run-out |
Despite their efforts, Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain Australia’s scoring rate, especially during the middle overs.
Sri Lanka’s Chase
Chasing a revised target in a World Cup final was never going to be easy. Sri Lanka needed a strong start, but Australia struck early by removing Upul Tharanga.
However, experienced batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara rebuilt the innings with an excellent partnership. For a brief period, Sri Lanka appeared capable of challenging Australia’s total.
Sri Lanka Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs |
|---|---|
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 63 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 54 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 19 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 38 |
| Others | Failed to convert starts |
| Extras | 15 |
| Total | 215/8 (36 overs) |
Once Jayasuriya and Sangakkara were dismissed, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain the required run rate. Regular wickets pushed them further behind the Duckworth-Lewis target.
Australia’s Bowling Effort
Australia’s bowlers performed with discipline and control. Rather than relying on a single star performer, the entire bowling unit contributed effectively.
Key Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Michael Clarke | 2 |
| Andrew Symonds | 1 |
| Glenn McGrath | Economical spell |
| Shaun Tait | Important breakthroughs |
The Australian attack consistently built pressure, forcing Sri Lankan batsmen to take risks. This strategy ultimately secured Australia’s victory.
The Controversial Ending
One of the most talked-about aspects of the 2007 World Cup Final was its unusual conclusion.
Rain interruptions and poor light caused confusion among players, officials, and spectators. At one stage, many believed the match had already ended according to Duckworth-Lewis calculations. However, due to a misunderstanding regarding the playing conditions, the teams briefly returned to play additional overs in near darkness. Later, officials admitted that the match should have been concluded earlier.
Although the confusion overshadowed the ending, Australia’s victory was never seriously in doubt.
Adam Gilchrist: The Hero of the Final
Every great final has a defining performance, and in 2007 it came from Adam Gilchrist.
His remarkable 149-run innings completely changed the momentum of the game. He attacked Sri Lanka’s world-class bowling lineup from the beginning and never allowed them to settle. Many cricket experts still rank this innings among the greatest World Cup final performances ever seen.
Gilchrist deservedly received the Player of the Match award for his extraordinary contribution.
Australia’s Historic Achievement
By winning the 2007 World Cup, Australia secured:
- Their fourth Cricket World Cup title.
- A third consecutive World Cup championship.
- An unbeaten campaign throughout the tournament.
- One of the most dominant eras in cricket history.
The victory further strengthened Australia’s reputation as the strongest cricket team of that generation.
Final Thoughts
The 2007 Cricket World Cup Final scorecard Cricbuzz reflects much more than numbers on a scoreboard. It tells the story of Adam Gilchrist’s brilliance, Australia’s unmatched dominance, and a dramatic finale that cricket fans still discuss today.
Australia’s total of 281/4, powered by Gilchrist’s unforgettable 149, proved too much for Sri Lanka, who finished on 215/8. Despite the rain interruptions and controversial ending, the match delivered a fitting conclusion to an incredible World Cup tournament. Nearly two decades later, the 2007 final remains a landmark event in cricket history and a match every fan should remember.
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