Prime Minister Howard praises Australia, McGrath

MELBOURNE, Apr 29 (Reuters) Bleary-eyed Australians celebrated a third consecutive World Cup win on Sunday morning, with Prime Minister John Howard among those who watched Ricky Ponting's side triumph over Sri Lanka in Barbados.

''Congratulations to Ricky and the boys,'' Howard told local television on Sunday after the 53-run victory on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

With the match scheduled to have started at 2330 local time, Howard slept as rain delayed the opening of the match at the Kensington Oval, but awoke at his home in Sydney to watch Adam Gilchrist pulverise the Sri Lankan attack for 149 from just 104 balls.

''The rain sort of delayed the start, I then got up in the middle of the night to see some of Gilchrist, then I went back to bed then I watched the last two hours,'' he said.

Howard described the victory as ''wonderful'' and paid special tribute to Glenn McGrath, playing his final match in the Australian green and gold.

''To Glenn McGrath, that lanky bloke from Naramine, thanks for a wonderful contribution to Australian cricket,'' Howard said.

''He joins the greats of Australian fast bowlers, he's a wonderful bloke, he's been a wonderful player and he went out on a very high note.'' Reuters DKS GC0740