11.30pm
JOHANNESBURG - Ricky Ponting hit a majestic undefeated 140 in the World Cup final and put on an unbroken stand of 234 with Damien Martyn as Australia amassed 359 for two against India tonight.
The total, after the 1999 champions were put in on a damp pitch, was the highest
ever scored in a World Cup final. It was also the best one-day score by Australia.
Ponting hit eight sixes and four fours in his 121-ball knock. Martyn, playing with a broken finger, made 88 not out.
India's quick bowlers, so effective throughout the tournament, completely lost their radar under the opening assault, despite being offered swing and seam movement by a dampish pitch.
India were unchanged while Australia recalled Martyn despite his fractured right index finger, with all rounder Ian Harvey left out.
* Left-armer Zaheer Khan opened the match with two no-balls and two wides, one delivery going to the boundary. He induced an edge from Gilchrist wide of the slips, sledged Hayden after a play-and-miss, Hayden responding with a blistering off-drive for four. 1st over 15-0, 8 extras.
* Gilchrist smashed the first ball of Khan's second over through mid-off for four. Gilchrist, picking up the length immediately, pulled Javagal Srinath to square leg for four. Khan bowled two more wides before Gilchrist slashed a wide, short delivery over the slips for four. Khan 3 overs for 28.
* Gilchrist cut Srinath through and over point for two boundaries. Khan replaced by fellow left-armer Ashish Nehra, who beat Gilchrist with a fine off-cutter. 50-0, 7 overs.
* Srinath went round the wicket to Gilchrist, bludgeoned through the covers and then pulled over wide mid-on for four followed by a six. 16 off over, Srinath four overs for 33.
* Hayden pulled Nehra for four. Off spinner Harbhajan into the attack. Swept for four by Hayden, 80-0, 15 extras, 10 overs.
* Hayden stroked Nehra through mid-off for four. Gilchrist 50 in the 13th over off 40 deliveries.
* Ganguly booed after claiming a catch off Harbhajan at slip. The ball came off Gilchrist's thigh pad and bounced before reaching the fielder. Gilchrist cut Harbhajan Singh for four over cover to bring up the 100 stand off 13.4 overs.
* Gilchrist, aiming over midwicket, produced a towering top-edge and caught off Harbhajan by Virender Sehwag, Australian-style, the ball almost escaping his hands, 57 off 48 balls (8x4, 1x6), 105-1.
* Harbhajan turned a ball across Hayden, on 37, caught behind. 125-2. 126-2, 20 overs.
* Martyn joined Ponting, the pair concentrating on placement rather than power. Ponting swivelled and pulled Srinath for four. Sehwag's spin brought into attack after 23 overs.
* Sachin Tendulkar, bowling wrist spin, brought on after 24 overs. Martyn produced a fine late cut for four off his first delivery to bring up the 150, 9 off over. 155-2, 25 overs.
* The pair, batting beautifully, completed a 50 stand off 51 balls. Srinath 0-49 off seven overs. Dinesh Mongia on, 7th bowler. Khan five overs for 46 runs.
* Martyn flicked Khan for four to fine leg to bring up the 200 in the 33rd over. He pulled Yuvraj Singh, 8th bowler, for four to midwicket to complete his 50 (46 balls, 6x4). 100 run stand of 106 balls.
* Ponting completed his half-century off 74 balls, having hit just one four, and then, dancing down the pitch to his next two balls, hit Harbhajan for consecutive sixes over mid-wicket. Martyn 64, Ponting 64. 250-2, 40 overs.
* Ashish Nehra, trying a slower ball, bowled a full toss which Ponting hit one-handed for six over square leg. He then came down the wicket to Mongia and hit him over long on. 47 come off four overs.
* Ponting drove Khan for four back over his head and then dismissed him for six to midwicket. Ponting century off 103 balls, his 13th in ODIs. Second 50 off 29 balls, including five sixes and one four.
* Martyn, leaning back, hit Nehra for six over extra cover. Ponting hit Srinath for six, then got away with another miscued shot to bring up the 200 stand. Ponting hooks his seventh six off Khan in the 49th over.
- REUTERS
World Cup schedule
Points table
11.30pm
JOHANNESBURG - Ricky Ponting hit a majestic undefeated 140 in the World Cup final and put on an unbroken stand of 234 with Damien Martyn as Australia amassed 359 for two against India tonight.
The total, after the 1999 champions were put in on a damp pitch, was the highest
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