Australia v India World Cup 2023: Australia wins World Cup final by 6 wickets, Travis Head stars with 137
Winning their sixth World Cup in sensational fashion, Australia are on top of the world – with captain Pat Cummins saying they’ve reached the pinnacle of cricket.
Pat Cummins has labelled Australia’s World Cup win in India as the pinnacle of his career after the Aussie skipper steered his side to a sixth one-day world title.
Having sunk to the bottom of the league standings after heavy early defeats to India and South Africa, Australia won nine straight matches, culminating in a six-wicket victory over the hitherto undefeated India at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Cummins was a member of the 2015 World Cup winnings squad, has won T20 and Test world titles, won the Ashes twice and retained the urn twice more on English soil.
Yet for all that, he said this topped the lot.
“That’s huge, I think that’s the pinnacle of international cricket, winning a one-day World Cup,” Cummins said.
“Especially over here in India, in front of a crowd like this. That’s huge.
“It’s been a big year for everyone, but our cricket team has been here in India, Ashes, World Test Championship and top it off with this is just huge and these are the moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your life..
“Every international team comes together. You only get a shot at it every four years.
“Even if you have a ten-year career, you might only get two chances at it. It’s just the whole cricket world stops with this World Cup. So, it doesn’t get any better.”
Cummins conceded he had been edgy on match morning, anticipating the challenge of combating the fearsome home side and a partisan crowd.
“I always like to say I’m pretty relaxed but I was a little bit nervous this morning - just pacing around waiting for it to get started just seeing the sea of blue in the hotel,” Cummins said.
“(Then) getting nearer the ground and seeing the sea of blue, walking, making its way to the ground, all the cars parked with their selfie cameras out, you kind of knew you were walking into something pretty special.
“And then to walk out for the toss and just see 130,000 blue Indian shirts, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Awesome day and the good thing was they weren’t too noisy for most of it.”
The skipper took 2-34 from 10 overs including the key wicket of Indian great Virat Kohli.
But perhaps Cummins’ most important involvement came when he chose to bowl first after winning the toss, a call he said he had been deliberating until late.
“We were kind of umming and ahhing right up until the toss really - but I thought you know half a chance of the wicket getting better tonight and you know in a World Cup game you can make a mistake bowling and it doesn’t really matter too much, but if you make a mistake batting and you’re under pressure it can be fatal so I just felt like it was the right time to go out and have a bowl,” Cummins said.
“The pitch played pretty well actually, it was quite slow and basically no bounce, but I don’t think the bounce was anything different to anywhere else in the tournament. It probably didn’t spin as much as I thought it would. Yesterday it looked really dry, but it was quite firm today. Yeah, the wicket was fine really.”
AUSTRALIA’S CROWNING WORLD CUP GLORY AFTER ALL-TIME HEIST
Australia conquered India, and in doing so conquered the world.
The Aussies silenced a crowd of 92,453 at the Narendra Modi Stadium as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne ensured their side overcame a shaky start pursuing 241 to claim a sixth men’s one-day World Cup.
That target had seemed a mile off when Australia plummeted to 3-47 at the end of the seventh over after Steve Smith opted against reviewing an lbw decision from umpire Richard Illingworth that would have been overturned if referred upstairs.
But Head and Labuschagne vindicated the respective faith selectors had shown in them, playing complementary knocks to guide the Aussies to victory and record what would prove to be the raging favourites’ only defeat of a tournament that will linger for years as the one that got away for India. Despite their status as global behemoth, the hosts have not won a senior men’s world title since 2011.
The sea of blue shirts in the crowd thinned to reveal bays of orange seats as Australia’s fourth-wicket pair whittled away at the target, before Head holed out for a magnificent 137 from 120 balls to end a 192-run partnership with just two needed to win.
Glenn Maxwell struck the winning runs with a two to deep midwicket off Mohammed Siraj, as Australia secured a six-wicket victory with 42 balls to spare.
Having been forced to remain at home for the early part of the tournament after suffering a broken hand in South Africa in September, Head defied what for others had looked a difficult surface for batting to post his second century of the tournament.
More subdued than usual early, Head expanded his repertoire, nullifying India’s spin pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in one of Australia’s greatest one-day knocks.
Labuschagne, who was not in Australia’s preliminary 18-man extended squad for this tournament, capped his incredible comeback story, playing tortoise to Head’s hare by fending off India’s attack after the early loss of David Warner (seven), Mitch Marsh (15) and Smith (four).
The win continued what is proving to be a title-rich year for the Aussies, who claimed the World Test Championship crown against India in June before retaining the Ashes in England via a drawn series. Head had also been player of the match in the WTC decider at The Oval, an award he also won for his showing in the semi-final victory against South Africa.
Despite the threat posed by India’s spinners, it was the hosts’ quicks who caused the greatest grief for Australia.
Warner chased a wide one from Mohammed Shami before Marsh edged Jasprit Bumrah wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Bumrah had his second when Illingworth raised his finger to a ball that had actually struck Smith outside the line of off-stump. Smith and Head consulted over the decision but the former captain opted against reviewing.
That the decision didn’t come back to bite owed much to Pat Cummins’ gutsy call to field first after winning the toss.
Captain Cummins backed up his call with a mighty bowling effort while a fantastic Head catch running with the flight of the ball to remove Indian skipper Rohit Sharma proved a turning point after the hosts teed off early.
Rohit’s aggressive approach at the top of the order had set the tone for his team through its unbeaten run to the decider, and despite the significance of the occasion and a pitch looking worn at either end, the captain didn’t change tack.
Rohit fell for 47 two balls before the end of the power play as Head - not usually one of Australia’s best fielders - tracked back to claim a beauty after Rohit attacked a flighted Glenn Maxwell delivery.
Cummins then struck the following over as Shreyas Iyer feathered one to gloveman Josh Inglis, restricting India to 3-81.
From there a match that had been juiced up on amphetamines received a heavy dose of beta blockers, with Virat Kohli and Rahul unable to find the boundary. Kohli kept rotating the strike but Rahul got bogged down, crawling to an 86-ball half-century as India notched just one boundary in 183 balls from the end of the power play on a slow deck with Cummins shuffling his bowlers liberally.
Kohli was still looking ominous though, before Cummins plunged the world’s biggest cricket stadium into silence as the Indian great chopped on for 54 to a short ball.
From there India’s chances of reaching 300 were looking slim, and so it proved as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc curtailed the home side.
Cummins finished with 2-34 from his 10 overs in what was an exceptional display.
Play had been interrupted early in the innings when a pro-Palestinian protestor made his way into the middle, putting his arm around Kohli before being apprehended.
Both teams picked unchanged line-ups, with India resisting the temptation to recall Ravichandran Aswin and Australia backing in Labuschagne ahead of Marcus Stoinis.
RECAP ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED
2:50AM: HEAD GOES, BUT ITS HISTORY FOR AUSTRALIA!!!!!
Unfortunately, Travis Head misses out on hitting the winning runs, trying to finish it in style he hits it right to Gill at deep mid-wicket, and his incredible innings ends at 120.
Glenn Maxwell is the next to come in, who straight away finishes it off and AUSTRALIA ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!
2:40AM: OH, SO CLOSE NOW
The crowd in Ahmedabad has started to thin out, as the realisation sets in for the home fans.
Australia, having lost their first two games at this tournament are on the edge of a glorious achievement.
This will cap an amazing year, having won the World Test Championship, retained the Ashes in England and now this to top it off.
*This blogger rejects any sense of mozz if it happens*
This is now the second-highest partnership in a World Cup final, as Marnus Labuschagne brings up his fifty, a superb knock for a guy under pressure to keep his spot all tournament.
After 40 overs, Australia are 3/225, with just 15 more runs needed.
2:20AM: HEAD’S MOMENT OF GLORY ARRIVES, JUST
Travis Head joins the elite of the elite in Australian cricket with a magnificent century.
Two smashing fours is followed up by a quick single (that he was gone if it hit the stumps) and Head join Ponting and Gilchrist as Australian batsmen to score hundreds in a World Cup final.
And now the left-hander looks to put the pedal to the metal, whacking Jadeja over mid-wicket for six.
The heads are dropping around the ground both on the field and in the stands.
There’s now under 50 to get for the Aussies, who can almost taste it now.
After 36 overs, Australia are 3/195, needing 46 more.
2:00AM: BAREST OF MARGINS SAVES MARNUS
India have turned to their strike weapon Bumrah to break this partnership, and he so nearly does!
A perfect yorker hits Labuschagne on the toe, but after the umpire said not out, a DRS review showed umpire’s call, meaning the Aussie survives.
The run rate required is now under four, with this partnership going over 100 and really silencing the crowd.
Head is really motoring now, can he be the hero tonight after missing the first half of this tournament?
After 30 overs, Australia are 3/167.
Travis Head on 85 not out... already 4th highest score in 2nd innings in a men's WC final, behind: Aravinda de Silva (107, 1996), Gambhir and Dhoni (97, 91*, 2011).
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) November 19, 2023
2nd highest by opener in men's WC final, behind Gilchrist's 149 in 2007, and highest by opener in a WC final chase.
Blimey, Head is playing an astonishing innings here. So full of risk against Bumrah of all people, but goodness me it’s magnificent.
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) November 19, 2023
1:40AM: HEAD REACHES 50, PRESSURE ON HOSTS BUILDS
There’s a sense of nerves in the crowd now, with these two taking the sting out of the early onslaught from India.
Head has hit the half-century mark as these two play very methodical cricket, with Marnus choosing to just stay in while Head has been slightly more expansive.
The mark is just over 100 to get right now, with Rohit Sharma looking for an answer from somewhere.
A wicket will flip this game right on its head.
After 26 overs, Australia are 3/144, with 97 to get.
1:20AM: HEAD, MARNUS HIT BACK
Travis Head is starting to roll now, whacking boundaries here and there as he and Labuschagne keep the strike ticking over.
The run rate currently is no issue, with wickets the crucial number for the Aussies as we get deeper into this contest.
Siraj has come into the attack, with Head taking a liking to some pace back on the ball without it moving in 18 different directions.
These two have now put on fifty, a much-needed effort.
After 20 overs, Australia are 3/104.
1:00AM: INDIA TURNS TO ITS ACE IN THE HOLE
He dominated the Test series, as well as the opener of this tournament, now the hosts have turned to spin and Ravi Jadeja.
Straight away he is threatening, drawing two shouts off Travis Head in his first over, but replay showed one LBW shout barely missing leg.
This was the combination that steered the Aussies home in their Test win in India earlier this year, and now Aussie fans will be hoping they can make a big chunk into this chase.
Kuldeep Yadav has come on at the other end, so its spin to win for the hosts in these middle overs.
Can the Aussies do what India could not and keep the boundaries flowing in this tough period?
After 15 overs, Australia are 3/78.
Always knew that Marnus Labuschagne, who wasn't named in Australia's initial World Cup squad, was going to be our most important player in the final. #CWC23
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 19, 2023
12:40AM: INDIA ERUPTS, AUSTRALIA WEEPS
Well, Steve Smith’s moment comes and goes and Australia are now really up against it.
Bumrah gets this one to skid through, looked like a slower ball, hits Smith on the pad and he has to go for LBW.
AND HAWKEYE SHOWS IMPACT WAS OUTSIDE THE LINE!!!
Smith looked at his partner Head, then decided to walk without a review.
Is that the missed opportunity that will turn this game on its head?
After nine overs, Australia are 3/51.
How crucial could this missed review prove to be for Australia?#CWC2023Finalpic.twitter.com/sarQbwsLmE
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 19, 2023
The one time Steve Smith doesn't review... #CWC23
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) November 19, 2023
12:25AM: BISON BARRAGE QUELLED
The ball is still definitely hooping, and after an exciting cameo from Mitch Marsh, Jasprit Bumrah strikes.
Marsh swung hard, gets an underedge and the ball lands in the hands of KL Rahul.
Australia have now lost two wickets inside the first five overs as Steve Smith comes to the crease, what a time this could be for him.
The crowd in Ahmedabad is raucous, riding every ball from the hosts as if it is the last ball of the game.
Will the onslaught continue or will the ball lose some life?
After six overs, Australia are 2/42.
12:05AM: FRENETIC, POSSIBLY TONE-SETTING START?
My goodness it is HOOPING early on, with David Warner fortunate to not already be back in the sheds after nicking one from Bumrah first ball.
The ball is moving, but the runs are flowing in the first over for the Aussies, with Head and Warner blasting 15 off the opener.
The two openers have been very vocal about setting a platform for their team, and look to be charging early.
And Shami comes on and gets David Warner second-ball.
A ball that just hangs way outside off, no way Warner had to swing at that, he edges and this time Kohli makes no mistake.
Mitch Marsh comes in and first ball swings hard, and the inside edge barely misses the stumps, boy oh boy.
Strap yourselves in this is going to be something to behold.
Australia are 1/28.
INNINGS BREAK: CUMMINS LEADS THE CHARGE, AUSSIES NEED 241
Pat Cummins hauled his side onto his shoulders as Australia put the clamps on India to keep the hosts to 240 in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Boldly opting to field first on a pitch that had been tipped to turn, captain Cummins backed up his call with a mighty bowling effort that left the Aussies appearing well in the hunt at the innings break.
A fantastic Travis Head catch running with the flight of the ball to remove Indian skipper Rohit Sharma proved a turning point after the hosts teed off early against the backdrop of a sea of blue shirts at a sold-out Narendra Modi Stadium.
Rohit’s aggressive approach at the top of the order had set the tone for his team through its unbeaten run to the decider, and despite the significance of the occasion and a pitch looking worn at either end, the captain didn’t change tack.
Josh Hazlewood, so miserly in Australia’s semi-final win over South Africa, was treated with contempt by Rohit, who used his feet to hit the paceman of his length.
Having lost opening partner Shubman Gill for four via a miscued pull to mid-on from Mitchell Starc’s bowling, Rohit and Virat Kohli upped the ante. But after four fours and three sixes, Rohit fell for 47 two balls before the end of the power play as Head - not usually one of Australia’s best fielders - tracked back to claim a beauty after Rohit attacked a flighted Glenn Maxwell delivery.
Cummins then struck the following over as Shreyas Iyer feathered one to gloveman Josh Inglis, restricting India to 3-81.
From there a match that had been juiced up on amphetamines received a heavy dose of beta blockers, with Kohli and KL Rahul unable to find the boundary. Kohli kept rotating the strike but Rahul got bogged down, crawling to an 86-ball half-century as India notched just one boundary in 183 balls from the end of the power play on a slow deck with Cummins shuffling his bowlers liberally.
Kohli was still looking ominous though, before Cummins plunged the world’s biggest cricket stadium into silence as the Indian great chopped on for 54 to a short ball.
From there India’s chances of reaching 300 were looking slim, and so it proved as Ravindra Jadeja (nine) nicked off to Hazlewood, who had got the ball reversing.
Inglis snaffled two more as Rahul (66 from 107) and Mohammed Shami (six) fell to Starc, continuing the left-armer’s late-tournament resurgence, before Adam Zampa picked up his 23rd wicket of the tournament in trapping Jasprit Bumrah for one.
Hazlewood got his second when Suryakumar Yadav (18) gloved an attempted pull to lob in Inglis’ gloves, before Kuldeep Yadav was run out off the final ball of the innings.
Cummins finished with 2-34 from his 10 overs in what was an exceptional display.
Play had been interrupted early in the innings when a pro-Palestinian protester made his way into the middle, putting his arm around Kohli before being apprehended.
Both teams picked unchanged line-ups, with India resisting the temptation to recall Ravichandran Aswin and Australia backing in Marnus Labuschagne ahead of Marcus Stoinis.
11:10PM: ZAMPA, HAZLEWOOD TIGHTEN SCREWS
Jasprit Bumrah had a short stay at the crease, trapped LBW by Adam Zampa, and with only a few overs left, when are the hosts going to put the foot down?
Australian fans would be nervous watching how this pitch is playing however, with plenty of uneven bounce, and no pace in the wicket whatsoever.
Perhaps the scars of some innings in the Test series earlier this year still live large in the memory.
And the danger man goes, Hazlewood bangs it into the wicket, there’s no pace on the ball and Suryakumar has to go for 18 with just a couple of overs left.
After 47 overs, India are 9/225.
10:50PM: THE MAGICIAN STARC GETS ANOTHER
That is a genuine seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed from Mitch Starc, pitching outside off, back of a length, swung late then nipped away to take the edge of KL Rahul, it was only a quiet tickle, but Rahul is on his way.
Mohamed Shami will come to the wicket, with India’s hopes of a big score well and truly resting on Suryakumar’s shoulders.
This ball really is talking a bit, is this almost a warning to the Aussies ahead of their innings later this evening.
We thought Thursday would be a simple chase, that turned out to be anything but.
Watch this space.
Shami goes quickly, going for the old heave-ho over midwicket, and he nicks off to Starc straight to Josh Inglis.
India are 7/211.
10:20PM: FOOL ME ONCE, TWICE ETC ETC
India are under the pump now, as Josh Hazlewood gets the dangerous Ravi Jadeja caught behind.
Hazlewood has him playing and missing, as the Aussies burnt a review on another caught behind, next ball he gets his man.
That one looked to reverse a little bit, dangerous signs for the hosts in the immediacy of this innings.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul has gotten to his fifty, and he looks to be the key main for the remainder of this innings, joined by Suryakumar in the middle.
After 37 overs, India are 5/179.
10:00PM: STARC SEARCHES FOR KILLER BLOW
After the drinks break, it’s Mitch Starc back into the attack, perhaps Cummins in sensing a moment before the final 10 overs to get into the tail.
Currently, the run rate is barely above five an over, with the ball looking really slow coming onto the bat, hence the amount of slower balls from the Aussie quicks.
Thus, it may be time to revisit what actually is a great score on this pitch, we know Indian pitches can be fickle in that way, such as Thursday’s semi-final.
There’s even a hint of a little turn in it, so Australia will be hoping the wicket gets dewy.
Whatever the Aussies are chasing, you know it will be a pressure cooker right from the jump in front of this massive crowd.
After 34 overs, India are 4/169.
9:40PM: THE SKIPPER GETS THE MASSIVE BREAKTHROUGH
Pat Cummins has silenced the crowd in Ahmedabad, dismissing Virat Kohli and stunning the hosts.
A delivery just short of a good length, Kohli dabs at it and the superstar chops on, a stunning result.
What a day the Aussie skipper is having so far, making a gusty call at the toss and bowling beautifully so far today.
You feel the Aussies are ahead in the game now, with Ravi Jadeja promoted up to no. 6.
India are 4/152 after 30 overs.
9:30PM: HATS OFF TIME, SPIN TO WIN?
The stadium finds its voice in Ahmedabad, as Virat Kohli reaches the fifty mark and what a tournament he has had, notching five straight scores of over fifty at this World Cup.
Australia are persisting with spin and a little bit of Mitch Marsh, chewing up overs without conceding big runs, before the main bowlers come back towards the death.
The shackles were loosened slightly, with Rahul finding this partnership’s first boundary in 97 balls, with a little lap shot behind the keeper off Glenn Maxwell.
Right now the score predictor has the hosts hitting 317.
After 27 overs, India are 3/142.
9:10PM: MIDDLE OVER SLOG BEGINS
The Indian run rate has gone under six runs an over, with these two obviously set on building a platform for the hitters at the end.
Kohli is playing with a beautiful ease, manipulating the field for fun at times.
This however, might be exactly what Australia want outside of taking wickets, with the boundaries well and truly dried up now.
The golden arm Travis Head has been bought on to bowl, could he break this partnership?
After 22 overs India are 3/122.
8:55PM: INDIA STEADY SHIP UNDER AUSSIE HEAT
The crowd is certainly not as raucous now after those wickets, combined with some methodical batting from Rahul and Kohli.
The sting was also momentarily taken out of the game by a protester who came on the ground, with “stop bombing Palestine” written on their shirt.
Rahul and Kohli, two outstanding Test batsmen know how to get through these tough spells, keeping the strike ticking over.
After 18 overs India are 3/107.
8:22PM: HEAD BLINDER TURNS WORLD CUP FINAL
Australia is suddenly on top with India losing two quick wickets, leaving them in strife at 3/81.
The home side lost 2/5 with a Travis Head blinder at point to dismiss Rohit Sharma having the potential to go down as a momentous World Cup final moment.
“One of the great catches you will ever see, a great match turner,” said Ian Smith in commentary.
Only moments later, Pat Cummins dismissed the dangerous Shreyas Iyer.
India was cruising at 1/75 before the double strike.
8:15PM: INDIAN ICONS CHARGE, SHARMA FALLS
The class of Kohli and Cummins are on the march, dispatching multiple Aussie batsmen to and over the ropes.
Sharma, as is always the case when on fire, looks to be doing it with such ease that it appears his only way out is a personal mistake.
Both batsmen have been very keen to get forward, showing that there may not be much bounce on the wicket.
The Aussies have continued to bowl slower off and leg-cutters to try and fool the batsmen.
And Sharma does make the error, charging down Maxwell and Travis Head taking a screamer at cover point, going back with the flight.
After the powerplay, India are 2/80.
8:00PM: SHARMA LIVES, GILL FALLS
The plan worked for the Aussies with the short ball to Sharma, but it falls agonisingly short of Head at square-leg.
The Indian skipper follows that up with two fours and a six to finish Hazlewood’s over, and he is off to the start the Aussies would not want.
Sharma has used his feet exceptionally, but now his partner is headed back to the sheds.
Gill hits at one on a good length across his body, and it lands right in the lap of Adam Zampa at mid-on, a needed breakthrough.
Sharma is off to a hot start dispatching Mitch Starc for six again, can the Aussies get the big wicket of Kohli early?
After five overs, India are 1/37.
7:40PM: STARC, SHARMA BATTLE BEGINS
The Indian skipper made the hot start in their semi-final, but is more cautious today against Mitch Starc who immediately hits him on the pads but that wasn’t hitting a second set of stumps.
Josh Hazlewood grabs an early edge off Sharma but it rolls past Steve Smith at second slip, and Sharma goes on the attack.
Back to back fours off Hazlewood, a beautiful cover drive, then not as textbook swinging across the line but the result is the same.
Sharma swings hard again and this time it barely misses off stump.
First ball to Gill and it’s an edge that just falls short of Marsh.
The crowd have been whipped into a frenzy early.
After two overs, India are 0/13.
7:00PM: AUSSIES MAKE BOLD TOSS CALL
Australia has named an unchanged XI for the World Cup final on a pitch that the Aussies expect to turn significantly.
Pat Cummins won the toss and Australia will bowl first, with Cummins backing his side to chase whatever is needed.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma looked pleased with the call, saying he would have batted if given the chance.
Australia’s decision to bowl first will raise eyebrows on a cracking pitch likely to deteriorate. But the Aussies will expect the dew to come into play, and India prefers to chase.
There is significant crackage at both ends, heightening the need for Marnus Labuschagne’s stabilising effect in the middle order.
The crowd is building at Ahmedabad’s colossal Narendra Modi Stadium, with more than 100,000 set to fill the renovated venue named after the Indian Prime Minister.
India will also play with the same team that won their semi-final against New Zealand, resisting the urge to bring in Ravi Ashwin on a deck that could spin.
Bowl first? Very generous decision, that from the Aussies.
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) November 19, 2023
STOP KOHLI - AND SIX OTHER WAYS FOR AUSSIES TO WIN WC FINAL
- Robert Craddock
This rampaging Indian cricket team has had a World Cup to make statisticians fall to their knees in awe – but they are not unbeatable.
If Cup finals were played on computers this one would be over already given India – incredibly – own three of the tournaments’ top four batting averages and the top four places in the bowling averages.
That’s incredible. Unprecedented.
It means teams facing them confront a statistical brick wall whether they bat or bowl featuring a string of batsmen averaging 50-plus and bowlers averaging in the teens per wicket.
But guess what? Australia has beaten India five times in their last 10 one-day starts and should have beaten them in this tournament if not for one dropped catch. This year India lost to Bangladesh and the West Indies. They do have off days.
Let’s identify some cracks in the wall …
THE BIG FIVE
India have five outstanding bowlers … then thin air.
The mid-tournament loss of all-rounder Hardik Pandya means India have no bowling all-rounder or high class sixth bowling option.
Their next best options – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – have taken just one wicket each for the tournament.
Taking one of the big five down won’t be easy but if it could happen, India’s entire bowling plan gets thrown out of kilter.
We have identified a likely target …
TAKE DOWN SIRAJ
Mohammed Siraj is having a solid World Cup (13 wickets at 32) but he has been India’s least effective fast man. New Zealand picked him out and went hard in their last game when he took 1-78 off nine.
He is a likely target again.
BAT FIRST
History can at times be a weapon in big games (ask South Africa).
India has not won a white ball World Cup since 2011 and the best way of turning a milestone into a millstone is for Australia to bat first and ask India to chase down a formidable total to make history.
GET KOHLI
Easier said than done but Australia must try and ask India to come up with a hero other than Virat Kolhi.
While the entire top order has been on fire, Kohli (711 runs at 101) has been in a league of his own.
In-form Josh Hazlewood is worth a crack at Kohli.
He recently snared him four times in a row in ODI matches and knows him well as they were IPL teammates for the past two years.
DON’T BE SHAMI-WIPED
Finals are won by playing the ball and not the reputation but Australia must accept that caution and respect might ultimately be the best tactic against the world’s most underrated bowler, swingman Mohammed Shami.
Shami’s jaw-dropping effort to average a wicket every 11 balls this tournament (23 at nine apiece) means there is no crime in occasionally letting go his dangerous outswinger. If Shami takes 0-30 off 10 it’s deceptively good result for Australia.
TALE OF THE TAIL
India have a relatively long and weak tail starting with Shami at No 8.
The challenge is chopping down the tall timber in front of them to get there.
But if you do …
PLAY LABUSCHAGNE
Heavy duty finals require heavy duty players. With India boasting one of the most impressive attacks fielded in World Cup cricket Marnus Labuschagne is worth retention for the final match of the tournament. This will be a game of incredible pressure – just the sort of games he dreams about.
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