Gilchrist celebrates victory

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Australia's wicketkeeper-batsman walked away with the man-of-the-match award after the ninth World Cup final for his stunning 149 off 104 balls, which included 13 fours and eight sixes, which helped secure a 53-run triumph under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

"We're not letting the events at the end there tarnish anything this team has achieved in this whole tournament," stressed Gilchrist. "We've had 29 undefeated World Cup games, we've had 23 wins in a row and the way we've played our cricket here and what we've achieved has been phenomenal."

He added: "We have to try to highlight how an amazing group of people have come out and performed so well - it's been an amazing summer and an amazing World Cup campaign."

Gilchrist's views were echoed by proud skipper Ponting, whose own 140 to win the 2003 final in Johannesburg against India was eclipsed by the wicketkeeper's whirlwind knock.

It enabled the Aussies to run up a formidable 281 for four in a game shortened to 38 overs a side, although Sri Lanka's target was later reduced to 269 off 36 overs after further showers.

"As far as I'm concerned he hasn't played a better one," enthused Ponting. "To go out and do it in a World Cup final and hardly miss the middle of the bat for most of the day was unbelievable.

"It was an unbelievable innings and I hope it's not missed with everything else that went on. It's one of the best innings you'll ever see, one of the best innings I've ever seen."