Teams: India | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | Kenya

March 24, 2003

Greatness beyond individuals In producing its best performance in the final, Daniel Laidlaw says, Australia set the benchmark for the future. Australia crush India in World Cup final India, chasing 360 to win, were dismissed for 234 in the 40th over and lost by 125 runs. Brett Lee was the most exciting Did Tendulkar deserve to be the Man of the Tournament, asks Barry Richards. A feeble bowling performance by India Peter Roebuck says the Australians batted formidably well but were assisted by an attack that failed to rise to the occasion. Best and worst from the World Cup Tendulkar cutting Shoaib Akhtar's fourth ball for six as India began chasing Pakistan's 273 for 7 ranks as the best shot of the tournament. For and Against Daniel Laidlaw presents a quick outline of the reasons for and against each team emerging World champions in a few hours. More news >

	Images
		The Finals: Ind vs Aus More images: Preparing for the finals 1st semi-final: Aus vs SL Preparing for the semis Australia vs Kenya Australia vs New Zealand Australia vs Sri Lanka Best of Round I Australia vs England Australia vs Namibia Australia vs Zimbabwe Best of 2003 World Cup Australia vs Netherlands Aussies day out India vs Australia Australia vs Pakistan The Eagle has landed

	Columns
		Aussie opening spell crucial for India Barry Richards says Tendulkar’s combat with the Australians will be the duel of the World Cup. India can pull it off Greg Chappell says India has the firepower to overcome Australia. Tendulkar, Dravid hold key to India's fortunes Vivian Richards says every team is due a hiccup in a tournament. Will Australia hang on for one more game? Fast and short Whether it lasts a few balls or a few overs, the Lee-Sachin battle will be the high point of the eighth World Cup, says Peter Roebuck. Beyond the boundaries Harish Kotian looks at how runs have come for India and Australia in the World Cup. 'Gilchrist is the best batsman in the world' Batting legend Barry Richards wants Tendulkar to continue playing the way he has at the World Cup. The walk that talked Adam Gilchrist has reminded all and sundry that cricket is only a game, and winning, although important, is not the only consideration, writes Peter Roebuck. Stirring effort by the Aussies The Sri Lankans, says Peter Roebuck, met Australia on a pitch that suited them but still could not dictate terms. There's always Bevan and Bichel… Daniel Laidlaw previews the Australia-Sri Lanka semi-final. Aussies can take advantage of Lankans' hesitancy Peter Roebuck previews the Australia-Sri Lanka semi-final. You have to plan for each Australian Bob Woolmer says only India looks capable of beating the Aussies. Aussies look fallible 'The Sri Lankans feel on the sort of slow 'subcontinent-like' turner everyone expects at Port Elizabeth they have the skill to take the Australians on and create a major upset,' says Asif Iqbal 'Hopeful of an easier Port Elizabeth pitch' Glenn McGrath is looking forward to an India - Australia final. Waugh and Ganguly have a lot in common Peter Roebuck says this World Cup has confirmed the vital part played by captains in the formation and outlook of their teams. Australia's tournament yet to start On current form, Daniel Laidlaw says, Australia and India would be a welcome final confrontation. Aussies relishing the challenge Peter Roebuck on Australia's escape to victory at St. George's Park. Plaudits for Ponting Peter Roebuck pays tribute to the remarkable rise of Australia's one-day captain. India, Australia are favourites Bob Woolmer says New Zealand can be the dark horse. India could put pressure on Aussies How the Australians would react to that pressure is a largely unknown factor for it is not a situation they have experienced very often, says Asif Iqbal Bevan's innings was commendable Peter Roebuck says teams can take heart from England's showing against Australia, knowing the champions can be beaten. 'All-win record a realistic goal' Glenn McGrath feels Australia is capable of going through the World Cup undefeated. Warne fails the larger test The Aussie's suspension, says Daniel Laidlaw, should serve as a lesson that sportspeople cannot afford to be too insular. The Chinaman cometh Nothing is more enjoyable than to see a top batsman bamboozled by a wrist spinner. Brad Hogg won the battle against Andy Flower, says Peter Roebuck. Aussies awesome Daniel Laidlaw says Australia produced an outstanding display of intense one-day cricket against India that emphatically stated their 2003 credentials. Gillespie was outstanding Glenn McGrath says the problem with India against Australia was they tried too hard. Men in blue beaten black and blue India's dismal showing against Australia has even irked fans on the American east coach, says Mark Bradshaw. The World Cup is resembling a soap opera Bob Woolmer says the list of banned substances should take into account the parameters of cricket. The Former Sheikh of Tweak Shane Warne's plight shouldn't confound us. He always carried one extra bit of equipment -- the sword of Damocles -- in his kit, says Sunaad Raghuram. 'We are here to win every game' The team is 100 per cent behind Warne in this difficult time, says Glenn McGrath. Am ready to bowl at my best Glenn McGrath says the recent injuries to Australa's key bowlers won't affect the team's performance.

	More news:
		Runs aplenty forecast for final The path to the final The final record Australia players' pen sketches Experienced hands will control final Tendulkar is Australia's only obstacle: Warne Warne avoids making sideshow at final Hero, villain contribute to Aussie evolution India will be wary of our quicks: Lehmann No reason why we cannot beat Australia: Ganguly Lee's pace on India's mind: Gilchrist Lee fails to impress the men who matter Gilchrist applauded for his 'walk' Symonds, Lee reign before rain Sporting Gilchrist re-opens walking debate Symonds takes Cup average to 163 Early wickets will surprise the Aussies: Atapattu Steve Waugh to lead for Windies Tests Martyn ruled out of semi-final Pressure's on Australia: Whatmore Lee has special delivery for Tendulkar Aussies survive Kenyan scare Steve Waugh available for Windies tour McGrath urges Waugh to carry on Gilchrist tips Ponting as next Test captain Aussies not stressed by favourites tag: Gilchrist Port Elizabeth wicket not upto scratch Aussies will not relax against Kenya Ponting all praise for Lee, Bichel Lee rallies Aussies to victory | Scores Pigeon breaks seven-year Cup duck Gillespie expected to be fit for Windies tour Aussies won't slip up again: Buchanan Australia wants to avoid Kiwis in the semis Win against Lanka most accomplished Ganguly grimaces as Ponting purrs Australia in semis after Lankan rout | Scores Gillespie is a big, big loss: Ponting Steve Waugh hits 73rd first-class ton Aussies, Lankans have scores to settle ACB opts for change of image Hookes wants Warne to train with Victoria Ponting pays tribute to Hussain ACB under fire over period of Warne ban Dramatic win for Australia | Scores Buchanan keen to avoid Durban semi-final Lee misses Akthar's record Australia name unchanged side Australia play down record spree McGrath is leading bowler Aussies score record win over Namibia | Scores Warne will not appeal ban Aussies prefer England win against India Warne's image could suffer even more: Gilchrist Warne admits to taking diuretic in December Warne may go for part-appeal Australia too good for Zimbabwe | Scores Nathan Hauritz to replace Warne Warne unfairly branded a drug cheat: May Warne reconsiders appeal against ban Run blitz means demotion for Moody Don Bradman's cap fetches A$500,000 Warne to appeal one-year ban Warne ban a wake-up call for sport: Ponting Ponting cool with late arrival in Zimbabwe Cricket first for Hayden Aussie PM wants shift in venue Warne hearing adjourned Aussies too good for fighting Dutch | Scores Warne must have taken more than one tablet: report Aussies looking to match 1975 Windies Warne's drug hearing set for Friday Aussies to rest key players Warne's 'B' sample also positive Australian board names panel to hear Warne case Realistic Symonds facing up to the axe Aussies class apart 'Dizzy' Gillespie Lee justifies Ponting's faith India left dizzy by Gillespie | Scores Fans irked over Lee swearing Turbanator out to put Australia in a spin Top performances: India vs Australia If found guilty, Warne faces minimum two-year ban Aussies may spend least time necessary in Zim Australia recall Bevan and Lehmann India backing their spinners against Australia Aussie board moves ICC for Warne replacement Bhajju doesn't worry us: Ponting 'Indians' bowl in Aussie nets - Faisal Shariff Australia - Pakistan: Statistical highlights Australia too good for Pakistan | Scores ACB to handle Warne's dope case: ICC Who will replace Warne? Waugh 'devastated' by Warne's departure Shane Warne pulls out of World Cup I have never taken drugs; I never will: Warne Australia, Pakistan level in Cup battles Lee may not open bowling: Ponting Lee accused of chucking Bevan rules himself out of Australia's opener Past form means little against Pakistan: Buchanan Healy, Jones to watch opposition Australia can wilt under pressure: Viv Hayden targets Shoaib threat Symonds asked to back his instincts Injury scares for Ponting, Warne Lee no longer obsessed with being fastest