1<\/span> of 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Well, another World Cup is done, Australia emerging victorious for a sixth time.<\/p>\n Thanks for following tonight, and be sure to return to this masthead for all the cricketing news, analysis and views, led by our man on the ground in India, Malcolm Conn.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Travis Head said he had been \u201ca little bit nervous\u201d early in his innings but had been keen to play his natural game in a knock which will go down in cricketing lore.<\/p>\n Head\u2019s 137 off 120 deliveries, complete with 15 boundaries and four sixes, was the backbone of Australia\u2019s six-wicket win over India to claim a sixth World Cup. Chasing 241 for victory, the Australians fell to 3-47, before head and Marnus Labuschagne all but took the team to victory.<\/p>\n What a knock: Travis Head has guided Australia to a sixth World Cup.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cWhat an amazing day, just thrilled to be a part of it,\u201d Head said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way I played the first 20 balls, I was a little bit nervous, but Marnus played exceptionally well, soaked up the pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n Head said Mitch Marsh\u2019s brief but hard-hitting knock had the tone, a mindset he continued.<\/p>\n Party time: Australia reacted with joy after claiming a sixth World Cup with a superb performance against India.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n he was finally dismissed with only two runs needed for victory, Glenn Maxwell hitting the winning runs.<\/p>\n Labuschagne, after his unbeaten 58, said this victory had been the highlight of his career. After losing their opening two games, Australia won their next nine.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the best achievement I have ever been a part of. To come to India \u2026 it was unbelievable. We played our best cricket, we are champs,\u201d Labuschagne said.<\/p>\n \u201cI am lost for words … three months ago, I wasn\u2019t even in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said this victory was even sweeter than the 2015 success the Australians had on home soil. The Australians had lost their opening two games of this tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is bigger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n David Warner said Australia\u2019s fielding had been superb, and praised the performance of Travis Head, who only rejoined the Australian squad early in the tournament after a fractured hand.<\/p>\n Steve Smith said it was a \u201cdream come true\u201d to have won this tournament.<\/p>\n Skipper Pat Cummins\u2019 bold decision to bowl first was also central to the win, as was the way he rotated his bowlers, at one stage using six different bowlers in a row from one end.<\/p>\n Australia have capped a remarkable resurgence in the World Cup to lift their sixth trophy.<\/p>\n Chasing 241 for victory against host-nation India, Australia achieved victory for the loss of only six wickets.<\/p>\n On a day Australian great Ricky Ponting said Pat Cummins came of age as a captain, Cummins won the toss and boldly decided to bowl first at Narendra Modi Stadium, citing the potential for night dew as one reason for the call.<\/p>\n Oh what a night: Travis Head has guided Australia to a sixth World Cup title with a remarkable century.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma had said he would have batted anyway, and Sharma led his team\u2019s early charge. He (47 off 41 deliveries) and Virat Kohli (54 off 63) appeared set for centuries before each lost their way, Australia\u2019s fast bowlers and excellent fielding helping to restrict India to a below-par score. KL Rahul (66 off 107) attempted a rescue operation, but it wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n Cummins rotated his bowlers superbly, India unable to build momentum, as the white ball began to reverse swing.<\/p>\n In reply, the Australians slipped to 3-47 in seven overs, but a stunning century from Travis Head (137 off 120, 15 boundaries, four sixes) and a defiant 58 from Marnus Labuschagne gave Australia another world title. Head finally fell with only two runs needed for victory, caught in the deep.<\/p>\n Defeats early in the tournament had left many doubting whether the Australians would even make the finals, but Head\u2019s half-century in the tight semi-final win over South Africa, and his heroics on this day, will live long in the memory.<\/p>\n Beaten man: Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav reinforced the frustration he, his team and country felt.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Indian great Ravi Shastri had nothing but praise for Head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a stage he has chosen – a World Cup final, 125,000 – 130,000 people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n What a knock: Travis Head has joined the greats of the game with his World Cup defining century against India.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n Ricky Ponting said Pat Cummins has \u201ccome of age\u201d with his leadership in this tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cThere had been criticism – not any more,\u201d the former Australian skipper said.<\/p>\n In an innings which will go down in lore, Travis Head produced one of the great knocks of all time in making a century off 95 balls, as Australia pushed for World Cup victory.<\/p>\n It was his second century of the tournament, and he joins Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist as Australians having scored a century in a World Cup final.<\/p>\n Batter up: Travis Head has joined a select group of men to score centuries in an ODI World Cup final.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/p>\n However, the robust left-hander was a touch lucky, for he could have been run out on 99 if there had been a direct hit, having taken a quick single.<\/p>\n Head soon followed up with a six over mid-wicket, Australia needing 50 runs for victory off 94 balls.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a stunning year for Head, for he crunched a match-winning century against India in the World Test Championship final in England.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Desperate India called for a DRS review for a rejected lbw shout against Labuschagne on 34, with Australia 3-158. Bumrah felt he had his man, although to the naked eye the spearing delivery appeared to be heading down leg side. Replays indicated it would have hit leg stump, but the soft call meant Labuschagne survived.<\/p>\n It\u2019s now under 100 runs required for Australia to raise a record sixth World Cup.<\/p>\n Indian captain Rohit Sharma is struggling for answers, for his spinners have had little – or no – impact, while veteran quick Mohammed Shami has been poor. <\/p>\n Head and Labuschagne have brought up their 100-run stand.<\/p>\n Bumrah still has five overs remaining. Time for Sharma to go to him, if India are any hope of pulling off what now seems like a miracle victory before a shocked and silenced crowd.<\/p>\n India\u2019s spinners are not getting the job done. Jadeja and Kuldeep do not look like taking a wicket, with Head and Labuschagne too easily finding gaps in the field.<\/p>\n Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has turned to Shami for a breakthrough, but his first ball back was dispensed over his head for four. Ouch.<\/p>\n Magical Marnus: Labuschagne has been a rock for Head.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n The win predictor used by the broadcaster estimates there is now a 73 per cent chance of Australia taking victory from this point. It\u2019s hard to argue with. Australia are 3-127 after 24 overs.<\/p>\n Travis Head has acknowledged a fine half-century which has steadied Australia after a rocky start.<\/p>\n Chasing 241 for World Cup victory, the Australians are 3-111, with Head unbeaten on 50 (58 balls), and Marnus Labuschagne offering excellent support. It\u2019s back-to-back 50s for the left-hander, who delivered in tough circumstances against South Africa just days ago.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a fear factor with Travis Head. There may be a lack of pace [in the pitch], but he will still try and hit the boundary,\u201d Australian batting great Matthew Hayden said during the commentary.<\/p>\n Finding a way: Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne are dragging Australia towards victory.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n The question now is whether Head can will his team to victory on a slow track taking sharp spin.<\/p>\n 1<\/span> of 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thanks for following<\/h2>\n
\u2018Best achievement I have ever been a part of\u2019: Aussies celebrate World Cup victory<\/h2>\n
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Australia win their sixth World Cup<\/h2>\n
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The portrait – here\u2019s the pic Head should hang on the wall.<\/h2>\n
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Head-ing in the right direction: Reaction to Travis\u2019 ton<\/h2>\n
Head-line act: Travis gives Australia 100 reasons to believe in victory<\/h2>\n
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Marnus survives: Bumrah calls for DRS<\/h2>\n
Head-ache: Sharma running out of ideas<\/h2>\n
Win predictor: 73 per cent chance Aussies claim title<\/h2>\n
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Heads reaches 50, as Australia wrestle back control<\/h2>\n
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