March 24, 2003	Monday	Muharram 20, 1424

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JOHANNESBURG, March 23: Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s 140 not out ensured the defending champions became the first team to win three World Cups when they beat India by 125 runs in a one-sided final at the Wanderers here on Sunday.

Ponting’s magnificent exhibition of clean hitting was the cornerstone of Australia’s massive 359 for two — their best total in one-day cricket and the highest-ever in a World Cup final.

It surpassed the 291 for eight inaugural winners West Indies posted against Australia in 1975 at Lord’s when innings were sixty overs maximum as opposed to fifty.

And Ponting’s score bettered West Indies’ legend Viv Richards’ 138 not out against England in 1979 as the largest individual innings in a World Cup final.

In reply India, were who elected to field after winning the toss, were shot out for 234, Virender Sehwag’s 82 the only meaningful resistance.—AFP