Sri Lanka defeated Australia by seven wickets in the final to win their first World Cup. Captained by Arjuna Ranatunga, the island nation restricted Mark Taylor's Australia to 241/7 in 50 overs.
The Australian captain top scored with 74 runs.
Ricky Ponting made 45 while Michael Bevan remained unbeaten on 36. All-rounder Aravinda de Silva picked three wickets for Sri Lanka. He was not done yet as he also piled up a century (107 not out) in Sri Lanka's run-chase.
He partnered with Asanka Gurusinha (65) and bailed Sri Lanka out from a precarious situation when they were reduced to 23/2 following the dismissal of openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana.
Captain Ranatunga remained unbeaten on 47 as he and de Silva had a partnership of 97 runs as Sri Lanka coast to victory in the 47th over.
Earlier, India lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-final after the match was interrupted due to fans trouble following India's dismal batting. India were reduced to 120/8 while chasing 252.
In the other semi-final, Australia beat West Indies by five runs.
No. | Team | M | W | L | T | PTS | NR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
2 | Australia | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
3 | India | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
4 | West Indies | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
5 | Zimbabwe | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
6 | Kenya | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |