INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Having secured a nail-biting semifinal victory, Australia are eagerly anticipating the World Cup summit clash against India in
Ahmedabad on Sunday, according to captain Pat Cummins.The three-wicket win against South Africa in the second semifinal on Thursday has
propelled Australia into the final, setting the stage for a showdown at the 1.3-lakh capacity stadium in Ahmedabad.India had sealed their
spot in the final by defeating New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semifinal in Mumbai on Wednesday."Easier than sitting in the dugout
Nerve-wracking couple of hours but great effort and a great game," Cummins said at the post-match presentation.When questioned about facing
India in the final with a massive crowd rallying behind the hosts, Cummins responded, "The stadium is going to be packed, pretty one-sided
but got to embrace it."The good thing is a few of us have been there for finals before
The 2015 World Cup was a career highlight, so to be out there in a final in India, can't wait."Cummins said he knew the pitch would spin
later in the match.ICC World Cup: Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets in second semifinal to set up title clash with India"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."Talking about impressive fielding display by his side, Cummins said, "Something we talk a
Wasn't up to scratch at the start of the tournament."Davey (Warner), 37, diving around, incredible
And the big two up front were incredible."On Travis Head getting two wickets, he said, "he has this knack of finding a wicket
Been different bowlers chip in through the whole tournament."Inglis also played that beautifully
He looked in control against two really good spinners on a tough wicket."South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said it was a "dog fight" but
admitted that Australia were outstanding for a large part of the game."Quite hard to put into word
Our character came through
The way we started with the bat and the ball was probably the turning point, we lost it quite badly there."Asked about the reasons for South
Africa's top-order batting collapse, Bavuma said, "Conditions and the quality of the attack
They (Australian bowlers) were ruthless
Presented with the conditions but they really put us under pressure."South Africa were reduced to 24 for 4 in the 12th over before David
Miller struck a magnificent 101 to take the score past the 200-run mark."We were gaining momentum at that point (before dismissal of
We've seen how destructive he can be in the latter part of the innings
David Miller showed what he can do as a player and his mentality."Would have liked to have bowled better, it allowed the other batters to
Shamsi was terrific, we were competitive but we needed a lot to go right."He admitted that South Africa had some tough chances (fielding)
that went abegging."We had chances - tough chances - but we put them down
Could have been more proactive but you need things to go your way."Bavuma also praised Quinton de Kock and Gerald Coetzee for their
performances in the tournament
It was de Kock's farewell game in the 50-over format."As a young guy, he (Gerald Coetzee) was a warrior
There wasn't much happening for him to bowl like that and get the wicket of Smith, get us back into the game
He kept on going until he was cramping."He (De Kock) had an outstanding tournament
Would have wanted to end on a different note, but he'll remember the fight we showed as a team
We've enjoyed playing with him, in SA he will go down as a legend of the game."(With PTI Inputs)
