Australia's World Cup heroes have finally completed their unbeaten campaign in the 47-day Caribbean tournament and will spend the ay celebrating their record third consecutive title.

Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist hit 149, the highest score in a World Cup final and one of the greatest innings in cricket history, in his side's 53-run win over Sri Lanka in Barbados.

The showpiece match ended in high farce as play was called off for bad light at the 33-over mark of Sri Lanka's innings in the rain-interrupted game.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and his Sri Lankan rival Mahela Jayawardene had been mistakenly told by umpires Aleem Dar and Steve Bucknor that they would have to come back the next day to play the final three overs.

Not liking the sound of that, the two captains decided to return and finish the match in the dark, with Australia using only slow bowlers.

Match referee Jeff Crowe later admitted he had not administered the rules correctly and that, unlike both skippers, he wasn't aware that once the side batting second faced a minimum of 20 overs, calling the day's play off early ended the game, rather than forcing it into a second day.

Officials were booed during the post-match presentations.

But the Australians, who celebrated on the field at the 33-over mark thinking they had won, then again after the match officially ended, were putting all the controversy behind them, especially Gilchrist, Ponting and the retiring Glenn McGrath.

The trio became the only players to win three World Cup medals and Gilchrist proudly wore his around his neck on the beach for a photo shoot with Ponting and the Cup, before heading out for more drinks.

"A lot of players who have played World Cup cricket have never won one, let alone won three, so to be a part of that select group is a huge thrill," Gilchrist, 35, said.

The team are expected to arrive home mid-week and attend at reception at Sydney's Martin Place on Thursday.

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