AUSTRALIA v INDIA

At Sydney, January 20 (day/night). Australia won by six runs. Toss: Australia. Despite their heavy win two days before, Australia felt the tension no less than India. They fell below their high standards in all departments, but most conspicuously in their fielding. India's main contributors, Shastri and Tendulkar, were missed at 41 and 62 respectively, enabling them to take India to within 88 runs of their objective with 11.2 overs left. Shastri batted for much of his 116 balls with an injured leg, and Tendulkar, weighed down by responsibility, took 69 from 100 balls before he was out to an astonishing catch at extra cover by Whitney. The Indian middle order was unable to sustain the momentum. Their own fielding had also been untidy. Besides letting off Marsh on nine and 39, they presented Australia with a significant proportion of their runs. But Raju's left-arm spin prevented the middle order from building on Marsh's diligence.

Players of the Finals: D. C. Boon and G. R. Marsh. Attendance: 34,490.