Australia retained the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 when they defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs on the Duckworth and Lewis scoring method in the final. Australia compiled 281 for four from 38 overs and Sri Lanka managed to score only 215 for eight from 36 overs in this rain curtailed finale.

Glenn McGrath, the linchpin of Australian attack, was declared Player of the Series for his 26 wickets while teammate Mathew Hayden scored the most runs (659). The tournament started on a bitter note in the West Indies with the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, who was found dead in his hotel room on March 18, a day after his team’s defeat to Ireland put them out of the running for the World Cup. 

The 16 competing teams were divided into four groups with two top finishers from each group moving on to a Super Eight format. The teams were Australia, England, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bermuda, Canada, Kenya, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland.