Crowe admits error took place in the final

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in West Indies

CRICKET: It was the worst finish to a World Cup tournament final ever. And for that the International Cricket Council match officials must fairly and squarely take the responsibility and the blame. It was a mockery on the game.

The final moments of this prestigious final was played in pitch darkness and it evoked memories of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final at the Oval in London where West Indies beat England in similar darkness to emerge champions.

An unforgivable error by the match officials that left them red-faced and embarrassed brought a bizarre end to the final.

At about 6.10 p.m. Barbados time, the Australians broke into celebrations heralding an unprecedented third success in the World Cup.

They were hugging and kissing and doing the victory lap and with spectators leaving the ground, it shocked everyone who remained to see the players return eight minutes later in darkness to continue.

There was utter confusion after on field umpires Steve Bucknor and Aleem Dar and match officials informed the teams that they would have to return and complete the three overs when Sri Lanka had conceded defeat and accepted an offer to go off for bad light.

At that time, Sri Lanka chasing a revised target of 269 off 36 overs were 206 for 7 in 33 overs.

Sri Lanka in a gesture of goodwill agreed to return in real darkness and also agreed not to attempt the target and the Aussies agreed to use only slow bowlers and not be a danger to the batsmen.

The Aussies finally burst into real celebrations when Sri Lanka made 215 for 8 which left the Kangaroos victors by 53 runs. This was mind you at 6.26 p.m.

At the media conference after the game and facing a packed house ICC match referee Jeff Crowe had to admit that an error took place.

"I am very embarrassed for the playing control team. It's our mistake," said the former New Zealand captain.

The circumstances were unseen and it was a bit difficult. "From a crisis like this, hopefully we can learn," he said.

Continuing Crowe said they were confused over the simple issue and that they must look at the print in black which technically says that the game is over when 20 overs are bowled.

On the scheduled day of play and according to tournament regulations once both teams have had the opportunity to bat 20 overs which is the minimum, it concludes a match and the reserve day need not be utilised.

Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardena accepted that once Sri Lanka accepted to go off for bad light, the Duckworth Lewis rule should have had Australia as the winners.

"Thinking back, I should have known the rule and said that the game should have been called off," said Crowe who also on behalf of the match officials accepted the responsibility.

The rain, the reducing of overs and the blunder by the match officials brought to a sad end a final that promised so much.

Adam Gilchrist picked up the man of the match award for his blazing 149 in 104 balls with 13 fours and 8 sixes. His 100 came off 72 balls, 10 balls faster than Clive Lloyd's century in the 1975 World Cup final against Australia at Lord's.

Glen McGrath who ended his career was named 'Player of the Tournament'.

BRIDGETOWN, Sunday, AFP