It began with a catch. Not Travis Head’s screamer to swing the momentum in Sunday night’s final by removing the rampant Indian captain Rohit Sharma, but the one David Warner took last month, which now seems way back in the mists of time.

Australia were anchored to the bottom of the table after early losses to India and South Africa. They had the worst catching record in this World Cup and Sri Lanka, also winless, were 0-125. Sri Lanka had made 300 in their first two games, whereas a hapless Australia hadn’t managed even 200.

Desperate for a wicket to spark his listless side, captain Pat Cummins bowled short again at Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, who was 61 from 67 balls. The right-hander hooked but failed to time the bouncer cleanly and from deep square leg David Warner charged to his left, dived and slid to claim a stunning catch.

It was the moment when Australia’s World Cup campaign shifted from embarrassing to enterprising. There was many a time after that the Australians failed to play pretty cricket, but from then on they scrapped and bashed and fought their way to and through a semi-final before going on to claim the ultimate prize.

This is how they did it.

Pat Cummins has put to bed any lingering doubts about his ability to handle the captaincy while also being Australia’s premier fast bowler. Cummins saved his best till last with brave and decisive captaincy combined with ever improving personal performances.

His decision to bowl against an unbeaten, and seemingly impregnable, India when they had dominated the competition batting first proved a stroke of genius. India succumbed to the pressure as Cummins played a central role with the ball, claiming the important wickets of the explosive Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli while conceding just 34 runs from his 10 overs.

Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh of Australia pose with the World Cup trophy.Credit: Getty

QOSHE - Sometimes brilliant, always brave: How Australia won the World Cup - Malcolm Conn
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Sometimes brilliant, always brave: How Australia won the World Cup

15 10
20.11.2023

It began with a catch. Not Travis Head’s screamer to swing the momentum in Sunday night’s final by removing the rampant Indian captain Rohit Sharma, but the one David Warner took last month, which now seems way back in the mists of time.

Australia were anchored to the bottom of the table after early losses to India and South Africa. They had the worst catching record in this World Cup and Sri Lanka, also winless, were 0-125. Sri Lanka had made 300 in their first two games,........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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