world cup final review

It was the contest everyone expected. The two best teams in the tournament reached the final. It should have been a classic. It became a calamity.
The match was reduced to 36 overs a side match due heavy rain in Barbados. 36 Overs for a world cup final? Why were the organisers trying to squeeze the match in one day. They had a rain day booked for the following day. They could have played 50 overs and carried the game over.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat. Adam Gilchrist, who looked edgy soon found his range. He tucked into Chaminda Vaas while Lasith Malinga bowled a superb spell. Hayden was first to go for 38 off 55 balls. He was the supporting role as he and Gilchrist put on 172 off just 22.5 overs. Ponting came in and supported Gilchrist putting on 52 in 8 overs. Gilchrist carried on his merry way smashing 13 fours and 8 sixes. Sri Lanka were relieved when Gilchrist played a false stroke and was out for a magnificant 149 off 104 balls. The highest score in a world cup final. Australia finished on 281/4 off 36 overs.
Sri Lanka needed a minor miracle to get close.Tharanga fell for 6 and SL were 7/1. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara put on 116 in 17 overs as they tried to keep up with the required rate. They just could not. Sangakkara fell for 54 to spinner Brad Hogg and soon Jayasuriya fell too. There chance had gone and they crumbled as they chased the unlikely target.
Soon it was darkness and the umpires apparently called the game off. Australia celebrated believing they had won. However the clamity was the game was not over. With Sri Lanka needing 76 off 3 overs common sense should have prevailed. Instead we had two spinners bowling the overs in darkness.Australia win by 53 runs (D/L method)An embarrassing end to a poorly run tournament. Austarlia have now won three world cups in a row and that is their 4th overall.