Australia stunned hosts India to win the Cricket World Cup for a sixth time following their six-wicket victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Australia fell to 47-3 in the final over, needing to chase a difficult 241 to win, but Head, who is left-handed, struck his second century of the competition to lead his side home with seven overs remaining.
India’s dominant run of 10 unbeaten matches at the event came to an end with Head’s knock and his marathon stand of 192 with Marnus Labuschagne, who was undefeated on 58.
After hitting 15 fours and 4 sixes in his 120-ball knock, Glenn Maxwell struck the winning run to set off wild celebrations in the Australian camp.
“Just thrilled to be a part of it,” man-of-the-match Head told Star Sports.
“It’s a lot better than seeing the World Cup on the couch at home (on his injury). I was a little bit nervous but Marnus played exceptionally well and soaked all the pressure.”
As soon as Head started working with Labuschagne, India’s hopes of winning a global trophy for the first time since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 vanished.
Head’s century was the third by an Australian and the seventh in a World Cup final, following Ricky Ponting’s (140 not out against India in 2003) and Adam Gilchrist’s (149 against Sri Lanka in 2007).
Bowlers Mitchell Starc (3-55) and Pat Cummins (2-34) helped bowl out India for 240, setting up an Australian team that recovered from two defeats to win nine straight.
India retaliated when David Warner was caught behind for seven runs by Mohammed Shami, who shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah.
However, Bumrah’s two quick strikes that saw Steve Smith leg before wicket for four and Mitchell Marsh caught behind for fifteen were what really raised the roof.
Head resisted the Indian attack, partnered with Labuschagne, while captain Rohit Sharma switched around his bowlers in an attempt to find a breakthrough.
Head was in danger of missing the World Cup after breaking his hand in South Africa in September, but Australia kept him in the team until he was well enough to play.
In the team’s sixth league game against New Zealand, he struck a match-winning century. Later, following a few low scores, he attacked for 62 runs in his team’s thrilling three-wicket victory over South Africa in Kolkata’s semi-final.
Following his 163 at the Oval in June, which proved to be crucial in Australia’s victory in the World Test Championship, he again turned the tables on India this year.
Head raised his bat to the cheering Australian dressing room after reaching his 100 in 95 balls.
As soon as Head started working with Labuschagne, India’s hopes of winning a global trophy for the first time since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 vanished.
Head’s century was the third by an Australian and the seventh in a World Cup final, following Ricky Ponting’s (140 not out against India in 2003) and Adam Gilchrist’s (149 against Sri Lanka in 2007).
Bowlers Mitchell Starc (3-55) and Pat Cummins (2-34) helped bowl out India for 240, setting up an Australian team that recovered from two defeats to win nine straight.
India retaliated when David Warner was caught behind for seven runs by Mohammed Shami, who shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah.
However, Bumrah’s two quick strikes that saw Steve Smith leg before wicket for four and Mitchell Marsh caught behind for fifteen were what really raised the roof.
Head resisted the Indian attack, partnered with Labuschagne, while captain Rohit Sharma switched around his bowlers in an attempt to find a breakthrough.
Head was in danger of missing the World Cup after breaking his hand in South Africa in September, but Australia kept him in the team until he was well enough to play.
In the team’s sixth league game against New Zealand, he struck a match-winning century. Later, following a few low scores, he attacked for 62 runs in his team’s thrilling three-wicket victory over South Africa in Kolkata’s semi-final.
Following his 163 at the Oval in June, which proved to be crucial in Australia’s victory in the World Test Championship, he again turned the tables on India this year.
Head raised his bat to the cheering Australian dressing room after reaching his 100 in 95 balls.
Australia chose to field first, and Cummins’ call was supported by the players’ excellent fielding and disciplined bowling.
After Rohit’s aggressive 47, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit 54 and 66, respectively, but on a slow, dry pitch, the ball dominated the bat.
Head ended Rohit’s innings against spinner Maxwell with an incredible catch as he was running back from cover point.
The 92,453 spectators, who, like the home team in the middle, had a forgettable day, were silenced when Cummins bowled Kohli, who finished as the tournament’s top batsman with 765 runs.
Photo by Deepak Malik/Shutterstock
