Travis Head on Sunday became the third Australian batter to score a century in the ICC Cricket World Cup final, as Australia defeated India by 6 wickets at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday to win their record-extending sixth title.
“Never expected this, not in a million years, truly an exceptional day," Head, who was adjudged as the player of the final, said at the post-match presentation.
When asked about his injury ahead of the tournament, Head shot back,"It’s a lot better than seeing the World Cup on the couch at home."
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Head joined the elite list of Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting to reach a three-figure score in the World Cup final.
Head reached his century in 94 deliveries, pushing Kuldeep Yadav’s uppish delivery to long on.
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Ricky Ponting was the first Australian to achieve the milestone after he hit a hundred against India back in 2003 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
In 2007, the left-handed Gilchrist scored 149 runs off 129 balls against Sri Lanka at Bridgetown in Barbados.
Head’s innings was just the seventh hundred in a World Cup final. Sir Vivian Richards (138 not out against England in 1979), Aravinda de Silva (107 not out against Australia in 1996), Mahela Jayawardene (103 not out against India in 2011) and Clive Lloyd (102 against Australia in 1975) are the other batters to score a century in a World Cup final.
“Nice list to join, nice to be here, nice to contribute. It’s going to be a nice couple of days, looking forward to it," Head said.
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“The way Mitch Marsh came out and took the game on set the tone, we knew the wicket may get tough. Was a great decision to bowl first after winning the toss, it paid dividends. Nice to be a part of it and play a role in all of that," he said.
Head scored 137 off just 120 balls, including 15 fours and four sixes, before being dismissed with Australia just two runs shy of victory. The opener had shared a fourth-wicket stand of 192 with Labuschagne (58 not out) as Australia chased down India’s modest target with seven overs to spare.
Head also took a stunning catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma and felt that the India skipper was, “probably the unluckiest man in the world now."
“Was great to hold on to that catch, who knows he could’ve probably got a hundred if not more," he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Location: Ahmedabad, India