JOHANNESBURG, March 23: India captain Saurav Ganguly paid tribute to Australia after his side were crushed in Sunday’s final, saying they had been “far superior”.

Ganguly said: “Hats off to them. They played like great champions.

“Australia were a better team than us but we can go back home with our heads held high.”

He said India, whose only two defeats in 11 matches both came against the Australians, had learnt to play like a team during the tournament but added: “We lost to a side who played far superior to us today.”

Australia, unbeaten throughout the tournament, became the first side to win the trophy three times as they cruised home with 10.4 overs to spare at The Wanderers.

Ganguly said India’s pace attack, after a fine tournament, had failed to fire. “It was one of those bad days for them. I think they bowled too short.”

He said he had been happy with his decision to bowl first. “The pitch had quite a bit of life in the morning, if you put the ball in the right place. We could have got them out but it didn’t happen.

“As you saw with the wicket in the afternoon, even 300 was chaseable.

“We have learnt a few things though, most importantly we have learnt to play as a unit.

“For a lot of the boys it was their first World Cup and the way they stood up to the pressure was commendable. It was a very high pressure tournament.”

Sachin Tendulkar, named Man-of-the-Tournament, was India’s only real hope of a miracle fightback but he fell for just four in Glenn McGrath’s opening over.

Tendulkar, presented with his award by West Indian great Gary Sobers, said: “It didn’t happen. The bowlers found it tough to put the ball in the right areas. It was just one of those days.”

Man-of-the-Match and Australia captain Ricky Ponting paid tribute to his team mates, praising the squad’s resilience after a string of setbacks.

“We have been really tested throughout this World Cup, with our fair share of injuries and the Warney issue as well,” he said.

Australia lost quick bowler Shane Watson before the tournament began as well as Jason Gillespie during the Cup, while leg-spinner Shane Warne flew home before playing a match after failing a drugs test.

Several other players suffered injuries, including Damien Martyn who hit 88 not out in the final while playing with a broken finger.

“The guys that have come in, Andy Bichel and Andrew Symonds, have both had sensational World Cups,” Ponting added.

“It says a lot about our depth.”

Ponting, who scored 140 not out off 121 balls out of Australia’s 359 for two, said: “It was my most satisfying innings, no doubt about that. To do it today when it really mattered was something very special.

“I saved it all up for the final. Everything went really well for us today.

“The batters put their hands up. I’m lost for words at the moment. It was an outstanding effort.”—Reuters