The Indians, chasing an awesome 360 to win, were dismissed
for 234 in the 40th over to lose by 125. Australia became the first side to win
three World Cups. They are also the first side to retain the trophy since the
West Indies won the first two tournaments in 1975 and 1979. - Reuters
PERTH, Australia, (Reuters):
RICKY PONTING said he was not surprised at the way his Australia team steamrollered through the cricket World Cup.
Australia ended the competition unbeaten after crushing India by 125 runs in Sunday's final in Johannesburg.
"I thought we could (go undefeated)," Ponting told reporters at Perth airport yesterday.
"I thought we had the talent. (Fast bowler) Glenn McGrath told everybody we would go through undefeated, I think.
"So it's nice to have done that now ... We played some great cricket through this campaign."
An estimated crowd of 7,000 people welcomed the team home at a public reception in the Western Australia capital.
Ponting's vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, a Western Australian, told the noisy crowd: "Our coach John Buchanan has already (been) saying that he thinks we can improve so we're interested to know where."
The World Cup victory was not only Australia's second in a row and a record third in total - they won it in 1987 and 1999 - but also extended the side's record winning streak to 17 one-day games.
JOB EASIER
Ponting said a match-winning 143 not out from fringe player Andrew Symonds in Australia's Group A opener against Pakistan on February 11 underlined the squad's depth.
Gilchrist also paid tribute to Symonds and said the Queenslander's century was the turning point for Australia who had been struggling at 86 for four batting first.
"The talent that we've got in this side, it certainly makes my job a fair bit easier," said Ponting, who hit 140 not out in the final.
"Whenever we were tested ... one of this bunch put their hand up and made sure that we got over the line."
Gilchrist, who smashed a brisk 57 in the final, said Australia's path to glory in 2003 was smoother than four years ago under Steve Waugh.
"We were under fire right from the beginning and every game was do-or-die really (in 1999)," the wicketkeeper-batsman told reporters.
"From that moment on (last month's win against Pakistan) it's been a lot smoother ride. There was a lot of adrenaline and excitement in 1999 but this time it felt a bit more controlled but certainly no less joyous occasion when we won it."
Test captain Waugh's 15-man squad will leave Australia on Monday for a four-test tour of the West Indies, to be followed by seven one-day internationals.
The Australian cricket team poses for photographers with the Cricket World Cup trophy after defeating India in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. Australia, inspired by skipper Ricky Ponting's majestic 140, retained the World Cup after outclassing India.
