Dusty, slow surface with low bounce — Australia had everything against them in the World Cup final. Yet, Pat Cummins & Co braved almost “alien” conditions to trump India Cricket Team in their own game, silencing 1.3 L crowd in Ahmedabad to lift the title. And for the character Australia showed in the final, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has hailed the team while also take a dig at Rohit Sharma & Co.
Australia were bamboozled on a slow Chennai surface in the league stage. The final was set up to be the same. India at home in front of 1.3 L fans seemed best recipe for success. Yet, the low and slow Ahmedabad pitch with heavy roller coming on the track two days before the final ended India’s hopes. Toss became crucial and it went in Australia’s favours.
“That first game in Chennai was as foreign condition as you can get as an Australian cricketer. And the final was sort of mapped out the same way. But then the bold decision to bowl first was just great,” Shane Watson said on WillowTalk podcast.
Shane Watson said the only way Australia could have won the World Cup final if they bowled first and dew made it easier to bat on. It turned out to be exactly that. Despite India making early inroads, Travis Head blew India away in the final.
“In my mind, after seeing that wicket, I felt the only way Australia could win was bowling first and hoping that the dew would come in and the wicket would juts get better to bat on. That was my only way because that wicket looked very very challenging to bat in that first innings. India had no confidence at all hitting through the line, especially through those middle overs where they are at their absolute best. So, that for me was the only way even if Australia play their very best. And everything fell into place,” Shane Watson explained.
However, it wasn’t a rosy ride for the six-time champions. Australia were at bottom of the table after first two games, losing both to India and South Africa. However, Pat Cummins & Co went on a nine-game unbeaten streak to clinch their sixth ODI World Cup title.
“To be able to see the way Aussies went about it and they looked not great at the start at all. They looked like well off the pace. But for them to turn things around and gosh everything was perfectly set up for India to be able to win. And they were playing and dominating. But for the Aussies to be able to turn up just when they needed to was great,” Shane Watson said.
