ODI Cricket World Cup: Hits and misses as Australia triumph in final

Australia are the Cricket World Cup champions in a match full of defining moments.

Here are our hits and misses.

HITS

1. Fly, Travis, fly!

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has had a brilliant World Cup, and it took a stunning catch to bring it to an end. Glenn Maxwell remained brave after being sent for two straight boundaries, leaving some air in the ball as Rohit charged again. The Indian was beaten, chipping it high into the vacant off-side. However, Travis Head charged backward from cover before pulling off an outstanding full-length dive to take the vital catch.

2. Reverse swing!

For the first time in the tournament, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood found reverse swing. And they used it to deadly effect. KL Rahul produced another classy half century that looked easy but copped a gem that reversed and seamed to grab his outside edge. Ravi Jadeja tried walking down the wicket against the swing but still found himself walking back after edging one.

3. The crowd

The noise and support in Ahmedabad was simply electric! The first 10 overs of India’s bowling innings were filled with roars so loud it’s a wonder the umpires could hear any edges. KL Rahul even whipped them up to intimidate Australia by pretending to appeal for wickets. The silence was deafening at the end though as Travis Head sealed the game for Australia.

MISSES

1. Another invader!

An intruder marred India’s semifinal against New Zealand, and the excitement for the final again proved too much. A fan broke containment and sprinted towards the pitch. He stopped to greet star Virat Kohli, who calmly handled the situation as security guards arrived.

2. Please use the review

For the second time in the tournament, an Aussie batsman walked off when a review would have saved them. Steve Smith was bamboozled by a Jasprit Bumrah cutter, beaten on the inside and struck on the rear pad flap. He talked briefly with Travis Head before deciding not to review. However, had Smith taken the review, he would have been saved by the fact the ball struck him outside the line of off stump.

3. The pitch

India has taken a controversial approach in wanting used wickets for their two finals. It came back to bite them in the final. The wicket was very slow and made for some ugly cricket at times. Travis Head found a way when it got better at night, but it was not ideal for a World Cup final.