"The stadium is going to be packed, mostly going to be one-sided but it's about embracing it" - Pat Cummins on the final between India vs Australia

Australia registered a thrilling win over South Africa in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa won the toss and opted to bat. However, their decision backfired as the top-order failed to contribute with the bat. However, David Miller stood strong, scoring 101 and helped his side post a total of 212.

While chasing, Australia’s openers got off to a steady start. Later, with others’ contributions, they managed to reach the target in 47.2 overs. Travis Head top-scored with 62.

See also: “It’s crucial that we don’t worry about external factors and just look at things we can control” – Rohit Sharma

Who said what after the match?

Pat Cummins, Australia captain: I think it was easier out there than sitting in the dugout. Nerve-wracking couple of hours but it was good to get the result. Wasn’t expecting Starc and Hazlewood to bowl so much early. We knew it was going to spin later on but there was a bit of cloud cover so wasn’t too disappointed about bowling first. We talk a lot about our fielding, probably wasn’t up to standard at the start of the tournament but we were fantastic today. Specially Warner who’s 37.

Travis Head was the man today, to take that crucial wicket in the middle overs. Inglis played that beautifully, he looked in total control out there, especially against two quality spinners. Few of us have played in a final before, couple of other guys in a T20 World Cup final, the stadium is going to be packed, mostly going to be one-sided but it’s about embracing it. 2015 World Cup was a career highlight, so to be playing another final in India, we are very happy as an unit, can’t wait.

Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain: Cannot put it into words, first of all congratulations to Australia. Good luck to them in the final. They played really well today. Our character came through today. We showed a lot of resilience. The way we started with the bat and the ball was the telling point, that’s where we lost the game. The conditions combined with the quality of their attack, they really put us under pressure. You’re always going to struggle to put up a competitive total when you’re 24/4. We were gaining some momentum when Miller and Klaasen were out there but unfortunately he (Klaasen) couldn’t carry on a bit longer. Miller’s innings was superb, really highlights the character of the entire team, it was extraordinary to do that in such a pressure situation and in a World Cup semi-final.

They got 70-odd in the first 10 and that really allowed the rest of the guys to settle. Markram and Maharaj were fantastic and they really put them under pressure. We had chances, tough chances that we put down, it could’ve been a bit close had we held on to them. As a young guy, he (Coetzee) really was the warrior for us, there wasn’t much happening for the seamers then but for him to come round the wicket and to take the wicket of Smith was incredible. He was cramping but he still wanted to keep bowling. Quinton would’ve probably wanted to end his career on a different note, despite the result I think he’ll remember his time. He’ll go down as one of the legends in South African cricket.

Travis Head, who won the Player of the Match: Hard to unpack all of that. Tense finish, amazing game. Didn’t move from the seat for the last part. We knew how it was going to play, we had three or four days here. We haven’t seen such spin, we knew we had to battle. I thought I wasn’t going to be here (after the hand injury), but I am happy to contribute for Australia, nice to be here. Straight as they came (Klaasen dismissal). He (Klaasen) smacked me, was under the pump, but it was nice to get his wicket.

I was prepared to bowl a few overs, always keen to contribute with the ball. We have had that positive approach to keep the pace rolling. Disappointed for the way I got out, that (vs Maharaj) was a match-up against a left-arm spinner, but wasn’t to be. It’s an unbelievable attack, their bowlers look sharp and they (India) have been one of the best teams in the competition, never dreamed of playing a World Cup final against them.