World Cup 2023: Adam Gilchrist hails Australia's 'finest' triumph

Former Australia star Adam Gilchrist rated the team’s World Cup triumph as one of their “finest” cricket wins. Australia beat India by 6-wickets in the 2023 World Cup final on Sunday. It was Australia’s sixth one-day international title.

Opener Travis Head played a crucial role in the chase by hitting a sparkling 137 off 120 deliveries, powering Australia to a convincing win. In the process, he joined fellow Aussie greats Ricky Ponting and Gilchrist to score a century in the men’s World Cup final.

“So proud of this Australian team and crew,” Gilchrist wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“To win another World Cup in the manner and circumstance they have is one of the finest victories in our sporting history I reckon.

“Time to celebrate,” added Gilchrist, who scored an unbeaten 149 in the 2007 World Cup final win over Sri Lanka.

So proud of this Australian team and crew. So much goes into achieving what they have. To win another World Cup in the manner and circumstance they have is one of the finest victories in our sporting history I reckon. Time to celebrate. XXX

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 19, 2023

It was the sixth time the Australian men’s side has won the ODI World Cup after victories in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

Set a 241-run target in the final, Australia slipped to 47/3 before Head slammed his second century of the tournament to steer his team home with seven overs to spare. It ended India’s dominant run of 10 unbeaten matches in the World Cup.

Read: Pat Cummins and Co silence India as proud Australian head rises again

Cricket Australia’s chief executive Nick Hockley said the team deserved the title after beating the hosts in front of a massive crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

“This is another wonderful achievement by Pat Cummins and his team who have performed brilliantly in testing conditions and against strong opposition throughout the tournament,” Hockley said in a statement.

“To beat the previously undefeated India before their passionate home fans is an achievement that sits comfortably alongside any of Australia’s five previous ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup finals victories.”

Australia added the 50-overs crown to the World Test Championship title they won last June after beating India in the final.

Hockley said winning both titles in the same year “is a testament to the calibre of our players across all formats”.

“Together with the retention of both the men’s and women’s Ashes and a sixth victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, there is so much to celebrate as we head towards another exciting summer of international cricket,” he added.

Congrats to all players and support staff on the 6th WC Title . Enjoy and sing the song loud and proud . Australia