There is a gulf between us and the rest: <b>Ponting</b>

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said his team's fourth World Cup triumph and third on the trot showed the chasm between the four-time champions and the rest of the cricketing teams.

"We played unbelievable cricket all through and did not have a close game in the competition," Ponting said after the side's 53-run win over Sri Lanka in the final on Saturday.

"We are never happy and satisfied with our performance and levels and continue to challenge ourselves to improve".

"Winning it for a third straight time is an amazing feeling. Playing with this group of players is very special." His opposite number Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged Australia's supremacy and said Adam Gilchrist's innings of 149 in just 104 balls made the difference.

"It was a special innings and so brilliant that it took the game away from us," the Sri Lankan skipper said.

"We chased quite well and were in a very good position at one time but could not keep up with the asking rate.

"They (Australia) were too good for us today." Glenn McGrath had a fairytale end to his international career. He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament with 26 wickets, which was the highest tally in a single World Cup, and his overall count of 70 scalps made him the leading wicket-taker in the history of the competition.

"I am happy with the way things went. I couldn't have hoped for more and had great fun," he said.