Australian opener Travis Head said that he "never expected in a million years” to hit the match-winning hundred in the final and win the World Cup trophy in front of the packed crowd of over 1,30,000 in India.
Head smashed an incredible knock of 137 runs off 120 balls to shatter the millions of hearts at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, as his heroics guided Australia to a 6-wicket win over India to clinch its 6th title on November 19.
After the match, Travis Head said: “Never expected this, not in a million years, truly an exceptional day. A lot better than sitting on the couch at home. Really glad to contribute, the first twenty balls I played gave me a lot of confidence and yea I was able to carry through.
The way Mitch Marsh came out and took the game on, he set the tone. That was the energy we wanted and we knew the wicket may get tough.”
The Aussie opener further lauded captain Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first against India in the final, as the pitch got better to bat on in the second innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
He added, “It was a great decision to bowl first after winning the toss. I felt the wicket got better as the day went on. It took a little bit of spin, it paid dividends. Nice to be a part of it, nice to play a role in all of that. Again, it's (fielding) something that I worked hard on.
I couldn't imagine getting a hundred, couldn't probably imagine holding onto that one. It was great to hold on to that catch. Important to look after your team-mates, to be able to do that on the big stage in front of a full house is a nice thing.”
Head became the third Australian to hit a century in the ODI World Cup final after Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist.
Speaking on the same, he said: “Definitely, third on that list, it's a nice one to join, nice to be here and nice to contribute. I'll just tell the boys that I'm looking forward to the reunion.”
On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne, who scored unbeaten 58 in the final, described Australia’s title triumph as the unbelievable achievement in India.
Labuschagne said after the match, “What we've achieved today is unbelievable. It's the best achievement I've ever been part of. India have been the team of the tournament, but you knew if you play your best cricket, you have a chance.”
He signed off by saying, “Our bowlers were sensational and Travis put on one hell of a display. The way everything has happened is unbelievable. I'm lost for words. Two months ago, I wasn't even in the one-day team in South Africa.”
Now, Australia and India will face each other in the five-match T20I series from November 23.
(With PTI Inputs)
