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Australia has won its sixth ODI World Cup after Travis Head’s phenomenal century delivered a six-wicket victory.
Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl in a surprise decision, but his men backed up the call, bowling out India for 240.
After a shaky start when they were 3-47, Head and Marnus Labuschagne combined for a 192-run partnership to steady the ship and get Australia over the line.
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Head finished on 137 while Labuschagne scored 58 not out. Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs after Head was caught with two runs to win.
“Look what it means to these players,” Ricky Ponting said in commentary as Australia’s players and staff swarmed the field.
“From the very first two games of this tournament, they weren’t at their best, nowhere near their best, they had to dig deep and haven’t they done that.
“The legacy of Australian teams continues in World Cups.”
Head’s century came off 95 balls in a stunning attacking display, making him the third Australian to score a ton in a World Cup final, joining Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting.
“What a year it’s been for Travis Head and I dare say India are probably sick of seeing him,” Mark Taylor said on Nine’s coverage.
“He made 163 earlier this year in the World Test Championship final to help Australia win that match and win that trophy and he’s on the verge of doing the double.
“Playing beautifully, he’s not your conventional player as the commentators are talking about, he stays legside of the ball but he has a simple technique. See the ball, hit the ball technique. And bowlers have trouble bowling to him because he has such a unique technique.
“He’s very confident in his ability and as we’re seeing he’s probably at the peak of his powers this year.”
At 3-81 after 10.2 overs, India looked as if they could potentially put a decent score together.
However, Pat Cummins dismissing Virat Kohli for 54 and making it 4-148 sent India into disarray as they managed to be bowled out for the first time in this World Cup.
KL Rahul was India’s top-scorer with 66 while Mitchell Starc finished with the best figures of 3-55.
Australia was off to a strong start when the first over went for 16 but there were big concerns as David Warner (7), Mitch Marsh (15) and Steve Smith (4) all fell quickly.
Labuschagne and Head then swung momentum in Australia’s favour, leading the side to another World Cup victory.
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