Cummins pleased Australia ‘saved the best for the last’

Australia were not the clear favorites heading into the 2023 ODI World Cup. They started their campaign with two big defeats, had injury problems and a number of out-of-form players, and the Most of their victories in the league stage have not been convincing enough. But captain Pat Cummins was happy his team “saved the best for last” as they convincingly beat tournament hosts India, undefeated in the tournament until Sunday, by six wickets in the final to win the Cup of the ODI world for the sixth time.

“We have to win a World Cup,” he said during the post-match presentation. “You can’t wait for that to happen. And I think sometimes you have to be brave, you have to face the game. And it was a real change after those first two games. With our hitter in particular, you saw the the first matches were very aggressive and hardly changed for the rest of the tournament.

“I think we saved the best for last. And some important players stepped up and, yeah, we’re pretty excited.”

Cummins also attributed Australia’s turnaround to the aggressive approach of his openers. Australia’s openers finished with the tournament’s best combined average of 47.86 and their strike rate of 111.19 was only second to India’s (116.99).

In the final, Australia found themselves in trouble as they lost 47 for 3 after 241. Mohammed Shami had removed David Warner for 7 in the second over and Jasprit Bumrah had Mitchell Marsh caught for 15. Soon after, Bumrah got the crucial wicket. from Steven Smith in the seventh, putting him in front for 4.

It was only after this that Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne joined hands to form a match-winning partnership of 192, not to let India get into the game at any stage.

“I was one of those guys whose heart was beating upstairs, I was pacing [after 47 for 3]”, Cummins said. “Marnus came in and out and got a cool head right away. And Trav just does what he does – again very brave, he takes the game back, puts the pressure back on the bowlers. And to do it on the biggest stage shows a lot of character.”

Australia were not only impressive with bat and ball, but also with their fielding. The 37-year-old Warner, in particular, was electric on the field, throwing himself in to save a number of boundaries while bowling close to the rope.

“[We were] desperate, that’s for sure [on the field]”, said Cummins. It all started last week in South Africa [in the semi-final]. The boys are fantastic. And we have an aging side. But everyone is still getting into the game, [especially] when you have a big stadium like this filled. »

Head, who was voted Player of the Match in the final for his 137 off 120 balls, was injured early in the World Cup. The selectors, however, persisted with him and kept him in the team. Making his comeback in only Australia’s sixth match – against New Zealand – in the tournament, he smashed 109 off just 67 balls, playing an important role in the five-run victory. He was also the player of the match in the semi-final against South Africa for his all-out effort of 62 runs and two wickets.

“Amazing,” Cummins said of Head’s form at the tournament. “I think you have to give it to the selectors who supported him even when he was out with a broken hand and to the medical team to get him back. It was a big risk we took and it paid off and you couldn’t be happier for Travis, a legend. We love him and he’s easy to watch.

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“Travis Head has matured over the last two years in all formats” – Tom Moody

Australia’s opening match smashed 137 off 120 balls in the final against India, as Australia won by six wickets.

Cummins had said before the final that there was “nothing more satisfying” than silencing the 100,000-plus spectators in Ahmedabad. His team achieved this successfully, but he also said it was a “pretty special” moment to win in front of a massive crowd despite the one-sided support for India.

“It (the crowd) was great, I have to say,” he said. “I was pretty happy. They were solid for a lot of innings of bowling. A few times they got loud and it was really loud. But fantastic. I mean, the passion in India is second to none in the world and I think it’s amazing…

“Everyone is wearing the blue shirt. So you look around and it’s a pretty special moment – one that, whatever the result, we’ll never forget on a day like today.”

Australia has won laurels in all formats this year under the leadership of Cummins. They became world Test champions in June by beating India in the final, retained the Ashes in England and have now won the ODI World Cup. For Cummins, being crowned an ODI champion is the pinnacle of everything.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” he said. “It was almost the whole Australian winter playing overseas, but we had a lot of success and it highlights everything, it’s at the top of the mountain.”