The ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa is finished and Australia have won. Just when everyone thought the Aussies were losing their touch the create cricketing history. It is possibly the main attribute that has made them into, unquestionably, the most feared cricket nation of recent history.
The South African cricket team, the whole sporting world in fact, should take note of these remarkable cricketers. They went from being untouchable a couple of years ago, to a stage recently where people weren't afraid to play them anymore, a few injuries and a few players retired and the didn't look half the team they used to.
Instead of letting it get them down and fading into mediocrity, they began to build, and put faith in youngsters the world didn't believe in. And now we see the results, Congratualtions Australia, the media will be hard pressed to ever doubt you again.
Source: ICC Yahoo Cricket
Australia became the first team in history to regain the ICC Champions Trophy when it defeated New Zealand by six wickets in Monday's final.
Shane Watson followed up his brilliant semi-final century against England with yet another match-winning hundred as he steered Australia to victory.
New Zealand, who were without inspirational captain Daniel Vettori due to injury, won the toss and elected to bat but never really looked comfortable once Brendon McCullum fell early on in the innings.
Martin Guptill (40), Neil Broom (37) and James Franklin (33) all made important contributions but nobody could go on to make a really big score against some impressive Australia bowling. Nathan Hauritz took 3-37 but there were also excellent contributions from the likes of Brett Lee and Peter Siddle as New Zealand closed on 200-9 off 50 overs.
New Zealand got a perfect start in reply when it dismissed Tim Paine (1) and Ricky Ponting (1) in the first three overs, but Shane Watson and Cameron White patiently rebuilt the innings against some excellent bowling from Kyle Mills (3-27) and Shane Bond (1-34).
The loss of White (62) and Hussey (11) gave New Zealand hope but Watson (105 not out) showed his quality by finishing the match with successive sixes to win the game.
