World Cup 2023: How Australian media covered the team's record sixth title

Travis Head’s impressive century sealed Australia’s sixth World Cup title as they dashed the dreams of thousands in attendance and crores at home with a six-wicket win over previously unbeaten hosts India on Sunday.

Opening batter Head scored 137 off just 120 balls, including 15 fours and four sixes, before being dismissed with Australia just two runs shy of victory.

His innings was just the seventh hundred in a World Cup final and third by an Australia batter.

Head’s inning came at a crucial juncture with Australia 47/3 and struggling. He forged a 192 run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out) as Australia chased down a modest 241 run target with seven overs to spare.

Earlier, Australia restricted India to 240 all out as they silenced a crowd of over 92,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc took 3/55 and Australia captain Pat Cummins, who won the toss, a miserly 2/34 in his maximum 10 overs.

KL Rahul top-scored for India with 66 but hit only one boundary in 107 balls. Star batter Virat Kohli made 54 after India captain Rohit Sharma struck a fluent 47 off just 31 balls opening the innings.

“Australia defeat India to silence 1.4 billion fans and steal another trophy,” wrote The Daily Telegraph.

“Silence golden for Cummins’ men as they go from good to great,” The Sydney Morning Herald said in a headline, referring to how the Ahmedabad crowd was stunned, especially when Cummins bowled Kohli.

The Herald Sun hailed the win as “a miracle”.

“With their incredible upset, Australia has now won a record six World Cup titles -– and none has been greater than in the heat of Ahmedabad,” it said.

“Pat Cummins made all the right calls while India’s World Cup dream died” – Geoff Lemon wrote for The Guardian.

“Silence defines the day as India’s invincibles crash to cruel final twist,” wrote Barney Ronay for the same outlet.

Matthew Sullivan for News.com.au wrote, “Pat Cummins silences critics, cements generational legacy with World Cup win.”

Malcolm Conn reported from Ahmedabad. His piece ran with the headline, “Head and Labuschagne shouldn’t have played at the World Cup. They became heroes,” highlighting how the duo were struggling with injuries but came in late to be included and made the difference in the final.

“Silence golden for Cummins’ men as they go from good to great,” wrote Daniel Brettig.

The Australian did multiple pieces on the title. “Cummins era goes from bloody good to great,” wrote Will Swanton. “Why Australia’s World Cup miracle is their best ever”, argued Robert Craddock. Meanwhile, former Australian great and captain Allan Border said, “Lost the plot to bravest call I’ve seen”, referring to Pat Cummins’ decision to field.