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Pat Cummins turned out to be the new ‘captain cool’ as he guided Australia to the World Cup 2023 final with a three-wicket win in a low-scoring encounter. Australia lost to India by six wickets in the final in Chennai but he is confident ahead of the final game which will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The stadium will be filled with a majority of Indian fans which has a capacity of 1 lakh 30 thousand but Cummins did not seem intimated by the support for the home side.
“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,” Cummins said in the post-match presentation.
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Cummins had to walk out to bat at no.9, when Australia needed 30 runs to win. Cummins batted with patience and remained unbeaten for 14 off 29 balls. He finished the run chase with a boundary in the 48th over and admitted that it was easier watching it from the dugout.
“Easier than sitting in the dugout. Nerve-wracking couple of hours but great effort and a great game,” the fast-bowling all-rounder said.
While the Eden Gardens wicket offered much spin, Cummins did not expect his new ball bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to take four wickets in the new ball. He was not disappointed after losing the toss either.
“We thought it would spin quite a bit. Wasn't expecting Starcy and Josh to bowl so much early. Bit gloomy, swinging around so wasn't too upset,” the 30-year-old said.
Cummins credited his fielders for putting Protea batter under pressure, especially the 37-year-old David Warner as he said, “Something we talk a lot about. Wasn't up to scratch at the start of the tournament. Davey, 37, diving around, incredible. And the big two up front were incredible.”
He lauded opener Travis Head and Josh Inglis for their contribution in the run chase.
“Has this knack of finding a wicket. Been different bowlers chip in through the whole tournament. Played that beautifully. He looked in control against two really good spinners on a tough wicket,” the Sydney-born cricketer said.
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