Australia was not the favorites going into the 2023 ODI World Cup. They opened with two big losses, had injury problems, and many out-of-form players. Most of their wins in the group stages were not very convincing. However, Captain Pat Cummins was satisfied that his team “saved the best for last” as they convincingly defeated hosts India – who were unbeaten until then – by six wickets in the final to win the World Cup for the sixth time. Cummins said, “You have to go and win a World Cup. You can’t just wait for it to happen. And I think you have to be brave at times, you have to take the game on.” Despite being in trouble early in the final, Australia recovered and Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne combined for a match-winning partnership of 192, securing the victory. Cummins was impressed by his team’s character and bravery on the biggest stage.
