India vs Australia LIVE: Cricket World Cup final reaction after Travis Head century leads Aussies to victory
Australia stunned hosts India to win the Cricket World Cup final by six wickets in Ahmedabad
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Australia won a record-extending sixth World Cup title after opener Travis Head smashed a magnificent century to fashion their six-wicket victory in Sunday’s final against the tournament’s form team India.
Put into bat, India rode battling half-centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to post a below-par 240 all out in exactly 50 overs at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
Australia suffered a top-order wobble of their own but Head’s 137 off 120 balls saw them romp home with seven overs to spare in a match that never reached great heights.
Around 93,000 predominantly Indian fans sat mostly in deathly silence as the home team, who had won 10 matches in a row to make the final, succumbed to their first loss of the tournament
Relive all the match action and reaction below:
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Let the celebrations begin!
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
More from Cummins: “My heart was spluttering [at 47-3] but Marnus [Labuschagne] had a cool head straightaway and Trav [Head] did what he does. He is really brave, puts the pressure back on the bowlers, and to do it on the biggest stage shows a lot of character.
“I couldn’t be happier for Trav. He is a legend and how fun is he to watch.”
On the atmosphere: “It was awesome. I must say, I was pretty happy they were silent for a lot of the bowling innings. The passion in India is unrivalled around the world and I think it’s amazing - every single person wearing the blue - and a pretty special moment. Whatever the result was we were never going to forget a day like today.”
On their approach this tournament:“You have to go win a World Cup; you can’t wait for it to happen. You have to be brave; take the game on and there was a big shift after the first two games, particularly with our batting. The openers went really aggressive and didn’t waver. There was total buy-in and it worked.
“This is a year we will remember for a long, long time.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
A slightly botched start to the trophy ceremony as Cummins is left awkwardly standing on his own. But his teammate eventually join him as they lift high the trophy for a record sixth time:
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Pat Cummins, Australian captain, speaking after his side’s victory: “We saved our best for last. The players stood up and were are pretty chuffed.
On the decision to bat first: “We’ve been batting first for pretty much the entire tournament but today we thought it was a great night to chase and that it might get a bit easier to play on
On the pitch: “It was slower than we thought and didn’t spin as much but our players adjusted and bowled some tight line. On a pitch like that, you get variable bounce so we put a couple of catchers on the leg-side and made India make decisions. The boys were fantastic. We’ve got an ageing squad but we are still throwing ourselves around. We were really chuffed with 240 because we were happy with anything under 300. We thought 300 might be tough but achievable on that wicket.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Rohit Sharma, Indian captain, reflects on his side’s defeat: “We were not good enough today but I am really proud of the way we have played since day one. Today was not our day. We tried everything we could but it wasn’t supposed to be.”
“We would have liked 20 or 30 more runs. We spoke around 25/30 overs when Rahul and Kohli were batting that we needed to bat long but we kept losing wickets and couldn’t stitch another big partnership together and that is exactly what Australia did with their batting.
“The plan was to take wickets early with only 240 on the board and we did that but credit to Travis and Marnus in the middle for their partnership. It put us completely out of the game but we tried everything we could. The pitch got a lot better to bat on under the lights. I don’t want to give that as an excuse - we simply didn’t bat well enough to put enough runs on the board.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Mitchell Starc speaking to Sky Sports after the game: “Pat Cummins was phenomenal, he has been all tournament with his decision making, his leadership and with the ball. He’s been phenomenal for us and it’s capped off an amazing eight weeks for this group. I haven’t got any words left.
“Between Cummins and the coaching staff and all the players, it’s been an incredible winter. I don’t think you could write a script to top the winter that we have. To win a World Cup in India has been tough but it’s been an enjoyable and successful one.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Mitchell Marsh reacts to Australia’s win: “Pure elation. I said to a few of the boys earlier that it’s been the hardest eight weeks of cricket I’ve ever been a part of. We were 0-2 at one point and Sri Lanka were 120-0 in our next game - that feels like a lifetime ago.
“To be here with this group, it’s just unbelievable.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Man of the match Travis Head speaking after the game: “Not in a million years did I think that would happen [be awarded man of the match today and in the World Test Championship final]. What an amazing day. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.
“It is a lot better than being sat on the couch at home! I’m very lucky that everything went well and I was able to get back and the support that the boys showed, I didn’t think this would happen. I was nervous in the first 20 balls but Marnus [Labuschagne] batted brilliantly and it is great to bat with him - he soaked up all the pressure - and it was an amazing partnership.
“I felt the way that Mitch Marsh came on and took the game on, he set the tone. We knew the wicket might get tough but it turned out to be a great decision to bowl first because the pitch did get better as the day went on. It took a bit of spin but what we did at the toss paid dividends. Nice to be a part of it and play a role in that. It will be a good few days now.
On his catch to dismiss Rohit: “Rohit Sharma was probably the unluckiest man in the world! I do work hard [on my catching] but I couldn’t imagine holding onto that. It is a nice thing to be able to contribute I’ll be able to look back on later in my life.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
Steve Smith speaking after the game: “The atmosphere was incredible today and it was just a great performance. The bowlers set the tone and the fielding was great. The show Travis [Head] put on was just incredible - he took the game on even when we were 60-3 and played to his strength. I thought Marnus [Labuschagne] played an unbelievable supporting role up the other end - it was a great partnership.
“It wasn’t the ideal start but we had the belief. We have a good group of players and a great staff. Fortunately, we were able to do that. It’s another dream come true and a pretty big year for us with the World Test Championship - it’s been great fun.”
AUSTRALIA WIN THE WORLD CUP!
David Warner speaking after the game: “Our bowlers were fantastic and they set the tone from ball one - the fielding supporting that. To bowl India out in a final for 240 is exceptional.
“There was a bit of nervous energy up in the changing room but a fantastic partnership between the two of them and what an incredible comeback for Head. He was injured in South Africa and came back and scored a century in his first game back and then a 100 here tonight in front of a jam-paced crowd - it’s just absolutely phenomenal.”
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