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West Indies [Images] skipper Brian Lara [Images] said "big stage fright" got to his side in the final of the Champions Trophy against Australia in Mumbai on Sunday.

"We have worked very hard as a team and it was disappointing at the end. It might be the big stage fright," Lara said after the eight-wicket loss at the Brabourne stadium.

"We have lots of hope now. We did not expect to reach so far and it is a team effort. Everybody in the team believes in themselves and they are expressing that. We hope to continue that till the World Cup," he added.

His Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting [Images] credited his bowlers for their maiden Champions Trophy triumph.

He said the dismissal of Chris Gayle, who provided the West Indies an explosive start, was the turning point of the game.

"At one stage they were 80 for one in nine overs but Nathan (Bracken) bowled very well. The delivery he bowled to dismiss Gayle was where the game turned," he said.

"Bowlers were great under pressure. We came good under pressure. It has been like that in the whole championship. It is good to win big games," Ponting said.

"Young players like Watson and Johnson are learning and we want continue to work the same way in the Ashes series."

Man of the series Chris Gayle said, "It was a great tournament for me. But it was unfortunate that after doing so well we ended in the losing side.

"It will boost me to go from strength to strength. The team wants me to take up responsibility and I am taking up that challenge."

Man of the match Shane Watson said, "It was a good tournament for young players like me. There are so many legends playing in the team and there is so much to learn from them. I am lucky to play here."