ICC World Cup 2023 Archives

Man wearing ‘Free Palestine’ shirt invades pitch during World Cup final

The ‘Free Palestine’ message made it to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the ICC World Cup 2023 final between Australia and India on Sunday.

India took on Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023 final on Sunday in a bid to win their first major ICC global event since 2013.

A pro-Palestinian protester broke through security cordons and invaded the pitch, stopping play briefly while he hugged India star batsman Virat Kohli.

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The incident occurred in the 14th over of India’s innings. Wearing a face mask in the colours of the Palestinian flag and a T-shirt with the slogans “Stop Bombing Palestine” and “Free Palestine”, the protester ran onto the pitch in the 132,000-seat mega-stadium in Ahmedabad.

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The protester ran up to Virat Kohli and slung his arm around the shoulders of the batsman, who then pivoted in an attempt to distance himself from him.

He was escorted off the pitch by security officers, and play swiftly resumed. A video later showed him being taken to the Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad dressed in a yellow T-shirt.

An Indian news agency shared a video of the pitch invader being brought to the police station, who said that his name was John and he was from Australia.

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He said that he entered the pitch to meet Kohli, adding that he “supported Palestine”.

On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, which killed 1,200 Israelis, according to officials.

Israel blockaded the strip and launched a brutal assault, which has since killed more than 12,000 Palestinians, including 5,000 children. While the death toll mounts and thousands of other civilians remain at risk in Gaza, Israel has repeatedly refused calls for a ceasefire.

India has condemned Hamas and airlifted aid to Egypt for Palestinian civilians from the besieged Gaza Strip.

READ: Pacers wreak havoc as Australia book India at 240 in ICC World Cup 2023 Final

Adam Zampa equals Muthiah Muralidaran’s World Cup record

AHMEDABAD: Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa on Sunday equalled Muthiah Muralidaran’s record of most wickets by a spinner in a single edition of the Men’s ODI World Cup.

Zampa, who returned figures of 1/44 in his 10 overs, helped Australia book the strong Indian batting lineup for a modest total in the grand final.

His sole wicket in the match came in the 45th over when he trapped Jasprit Bumrah plumb in front.

Bumrah’s dismissal took his wickets tally in the ongoing World Cup to 23 and equalled the Sri Lankan legend’s long-standing record, who picked up as many in the 2007 edition.

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In an elite list of spinners, Adam Zampa is followed by his compatriot Brad Hogg and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who picked 21 wickets each in the 2007 and 2011 editions respectively.

Australian spin legend Shane Warne is fifth on the list with 20 wickets, which he took in the 1999 World Cup.

The ongoing World Cup marked a change of fortune for Adam Zampa.

In September, he returned with the joint-worst bowling figures in the history of Men’s ODIs when he conceded 113 in his 10 overs and went wicketless in the fourth ODI of the five-match away series against South Africa.

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However, his dubious record was shortlived, courtesy of Glenn Maxwell’s berserk double century against the Netherlands.

He charged at all Dutch bowlers but Bas de Leede was targetted more by the right-handed batter.

Bas de Leede conceded a whopping 115 runs in his quota of 10 overs and bagged two wickets.

He went for six sixes and 13 boundaries during Australia’s late onslaught which also included a 28-run 49th over against Maxwell, who recorded the fastest World Cup hundred, breaking Aiden Markram’s record.

READ: Pacers wreak havoc as Australia book India at 240 in ICC World Cup 2023 Final

Head-inspired Australia thump India to lift record sixth World Cup title

AHMEDABAD: Travis Head’s brisk 137-run knock paired up with Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten half-century led Australia to a convincing six-wicket victory over India to win the ICC World Cup 2023.

This is Australia’s sixth ODI World Cup title, having lifted the prestigious silverware on five occasions before in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

Set to chase a modest 241, Australia comfortably knocked off the winning runs in 43 overs, courtesy of a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership between Head and Labuschagne.

Australia found themselves in a state of bother earlier in the run chase when they slipped to 47/3 in just seven overs with in-form openers David Warner (7), Mitchell Marsh (15) and experienced batter Steve Smith (4) perishing cheaply.

India, who were on a 10-match winning streak were fancying their chances to defend a low score and to lift their third title but Head swept away their hopes.

The left-handed opener put together a match-winning 192-run partnership with Marnus Labushagne which put Australia in touching distance to their record victory.

Head was the core aggressor of the magnificent stand while Labuschagne batted cautiously to make sure he did not throw away his wicket.

The opener, however, could not score the winning runs for his team as he smashed a short delivery from Mohammed Siraj straight to Shubman Gill at deep midwicket.

Travis Head top-scored for Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023 final with a brilliant 137. His 120-ball knock featured 15 boundaries and four sixes.

Coming out to bat at number five, Glenn Maxwell wasted no time and scored the winning runs for Australia as he pulled Siraj for a couple.

Labuschagne, who played an anchoring role in Australia’s World Cup victory remained unbeaten on 58. He faced 110 deliveries and hit four boundaries.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah bagged two wickets while Siraj and Shami could pick up a wicket.

Australia opted to bowl first and Mitchell Starc gave his side the first breakthrough when he dismissed Shubman Gill (4) with a mere 30 runs on board.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma however continued to attack and added 46 runs for the second wicket with Virat Kohli before perishing courtesy of a brilliant catch by Travis Head off Glenn Maxwell.

Sharma played a quick knock of 47 runs off 31 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes.

Australian captain Pat Cummins picked his first wicket as Shreyas Iyer (4) walked back to the pavilion in the next over with the scoreboard reading 81-3 in the 11th over.

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul then knitted a cautious 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket lifting India’s total to 148 before Cummins bowled Kohli to silence the capacity crowd at the stadium.

Kohli played a solid 54-run knock from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries.

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Australian bowlers kept their side in the dominant position with their disciplined bowling, not allowing Indian batters to score freely.

KL Rahul top-scored for India with a scratchy innings of 66 runs from 107 balls with a single boundary before getting caught behind off Mitchell Starc leaving his side reeling at 203-6 in the 42nd over.

Suryakumar Yadav then played a shaky innings of 18 runs off 28 balls amid falling wickets at the other end until Josh Hazlewood got him caught behind off a slower short-pitched delivery.

Australian bowlers wrapped up the Indian innings off the final ball of the innings as Kuldeep Yadav got run out with 240 runs on board.

Starc topped the wickets chart with three wickets, while Cummins and Hazlewood picked two wickets each.

READ: Australia ‘ready for anything India throw at us’ in final

ICC World Cup 2023 Final: Australia win toss, elect to field first against India

AHMEDABAD: Australia have won the toss and elected to field first against India in the ICC World Cup 2023 Final at Narendra Modi Stadium.

India

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

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Australia

Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 150, India 57, Australia 83, NR 10

ODI World Cup: Matches 13, India 5, Australia 8

READ: Australia ‘ready for anything India throw at us’ in final

Australia ‘ready for anything India throw at us’ in final

Australia are adamant they will be “ready for anything” India throw at them in the ICC World Cup 2023 final after controversy hit the tournament in a ‘pitch switch’ row.

India have been the form team of the World Cup, winning all 10 games on their way to Sunday’s showpiece match in Ahmedabad.

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But there was controversy in the lead-up to their 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand in Mumbai after it emerged the game was being played on a Wankhede Stadium pitch already used twice before during the tournament rather than a freshly-prepared surface.

“No doubt playing on your own wicket in your own country has some advantages,” Australia captain Pat Cummins told a pre-match press conference on Saturday. “But we’ve played a lot of cricket over here.”

“We’ll be ready in terms of anything they’ll throw at us…we’ll make sure we have some plans.”

The pitch will be the same surface as the one on which India cruised to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 group fixture, when they dismissed their arch-rivals for just 191 after winning the toss.

“My understanding is it’s going to be on the slower side,” said India captain Rohit Sharma later Saturday.

“But we have to assess what it is like tomorrow,” he added, pointing out that while there had been dew on the ground ahead of the Pakistan game, none appeared during the match itself.

“That’s why I keep saying the toss is not going to be a factor, you’ve got to play well to win the game regardless of how well you know the conditions.”

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A used pitch had no major bearing on the Mumbai semi-final, with more than 700 runs scored in the game.

Pat Cummins, asked if he had already seen the pitch for the final, replied: “Yeah, just had a look. It looked pretty firm…I think Pakistan played someone there!”

Used pitches generally favour spinners, with slow bowling a key component of a five-man India attack where Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to bowl 20 of their 50 overs on Sunday.

Australia have already won the World Cup a record five times and 30-year-old fast bowler Cummins, a member of the victorious 2015 side, was excited by having the opportunity to emulate the likes of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting by leading the team to another triumph.

“It would be huge,” he said. “We were all kids not too long ago, watching some of those great teams win the 1999, 2003, 2007 World Cups.”

He added: “To be captain would be an absolute privilege…it’d be awesome.

“It (the World Cup) has got the longest history of a world event where all the teams compete.

“You only get a shot at it every four years. So even if you have a long career, you might only play in two of these events. 2015 is still a career highlight for me, but I think tomorrow, if we win, might pip it.”

READ: Mohammad Yousuf appointed as Pakistan U19 Head Coach

South Africa’s semi-finals woes continue as Australia through to final

KOLKATA: Five-time champions Australia edged spirited South Africa by three wickets after a tense run chase to set up ICC World Cup 2023 final with unbeaten hosts India.

Set to chase a modest 213, the South African bowlers made it a tough task for Australia but they eventually chased down the total for the loss of three wickets and 16 balls to spare.

Openers Travis Head and David Warner scripted a flying start to the pursuit as they notched up 60 runs in the first six overs.

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma brought part-timer Aiden Markram into the attack and he straight away drew a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Warner, who scored a quickfire 29 in 18 balls, hitting one boundary and four sixes.

Kagiso Rabada brought another success for South Africa in the next over by dismissing Mitchell Marsh (0), courtesy of a stunning catch by Rassie van der Dussen at the cover region.

Head was then joined by Marnus Labuschagne and the pair took Australia past the 100-run mark with the former racing to his brisk half-century.

The left-handed opener, however, failed to stretch his sensational knock as he was castled by Keshav Maharaj in the 15th over. He remained the top-scorer for Australia with a 48-ball 62 which included nine boundaries and two sixes.

Tabraiz Shamsi then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Labuschagne (18) and Glenn Maxwell (1) as Australia slipped to 137/5 in 23.4 overs.

Experienced batter Steve Smith then put together a 37-run stand with wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis before both fell victim to Gerald Coetzee in the span of 32 deliveries.

Both Smith and Inglis were notable run-getters for Australia with important cameos of 30 and 28 respectively.

South Africa were just three wickets away from playing their first World Cup final but a sensible partnership between Australian skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc swept away their hopes.

The duo knitted an unbeaten 22-run partnership and steered Australia to a hard-fought victory.

Starc scored a cautious 16 not out in 38 deliveries while Cummins played an unbeaten 14-run knock.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee took two wickets each for South Africa while Maharaj, Rabada and Markram bagged one wicket apiece.

South Africa have to wait more to play their first World Cup final as the lost their fifth semi-final while the five-time champions will be playing at the biggest stage for the eighth time when they take on unbeaten India on Sunday at the picturesque Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Opting to bat first, South Africa got off to a disastrous start as they had slipped to 24/4 in 12 overs as pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ran through their in-form top-order.

Following the slump, Miller, coming out to bat at number six, joined forces with Heinrich Klaasen and anchored the innings with a gutsy partnership.

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The pair added important 95 runs for the fifth wicket before Travis Head struck twice, removing set batter Klaasen and Marco Jansen (0), in the 31st over to dent South Africa’s recovery.

Klaasen scored a cautious 47 in 48 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.

Meanwhile, David Miller, despite the double blow, stood his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking singlehandedly before he smashed Pat Cummins on the first delivery of the 48th over to complete his century.

The left-handed batter, however, failed to carry his bat all the way through and perished in the same over.

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He top-scored for South Africa with a scintillating 101. His 116-ball knock featured eight boundaries and five sixes.

Besides him, Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada added valuable runs at the backend, courtesy of their important cameos.

Mitchell Experienced pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins led the bowling attack for Australia with three wickets each while Josh Hazlewood and Head bagged two wickets each.

READ: England star Harry Brook pulls out of Big Bash League

ICC World Cup 2023: Who will qualify for the final if semi-final gets washed out?

KOLKATA: Australian pace bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rattled South Africa’s top order in the 2nd Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2023, but, the action was halted after 14 overs due to rain at Eden Gardens.

The match was then resumed after a brief rain interruption, however, there is a prediction of more rain in the city today and tomorrow, which leaves the possibility of a complete washout open.

South Africa holds an advantage in that case as in case of a washout, they will qualify for the final, owing to their superior position in the points table at the group stage of the ICC World Cup 2023.

South Africa and Australia both won seven matches and earned 14 points during the group stage but the former ended at second position with a better net run rate – 1.261.

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But, before the match is abandoned, umpires would make an effort to complete the match as the knockout matches during ICC events have a reserve day.

In case of more rain interruptions during the scheduled day, the first priority would be to reduce overs and complete the match on the same day. Notably, each team must play at least 20 overs to get a result.

The game will only enter the reserve day if 20-over play is not possible on that day.

If the rain persists for two days and does not allow at least 20 overs per side, then the match will be ‘no result’ and South Africa will qualify for the final for the first time.

The host nation India have already qualified for the final, after thumping New Zealand by 70 runs during the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023.

READ: England star Harry Brook pulls out of Big Bash League

ICC World Cup 2023 Semi-Final: South Africa win toss, opt to bat first against Australia

KOLKATA: South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the 2nd Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens.

South Africa

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

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Australia

Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 109, Australia 50, South Africa 55, Tied 3, NR 1

ODI World Cup: Matches 7, Australia 3, South Africa 3, Tied 1

READ: England star Harry Brook pulls out of Big Bash League

India thump New Zealand to reach ICC World Cup 2023 final

MUMBAI: Batting maestro Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s magnificent hundreds, followed by Mohammed Shami’s seven-fer propelled India to defeat New Zealand by 70 runs and qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023 final.

Set to chase a daunting 398-run target, New Zealand’s batting lineup unfolded in the penultimate over and could score 327 in response despite Daryl Mitchell’s 134.

New Zealand got off to an unwanted start to a daunting pursuit as they lost both their openers Devon Conway (13) and Rachin Ravindra (13) inside eight overs with just 39 runs on the board.

Daryl Mitchell and skipper Kane Williamson kept the Blackcaps in the run chase despite the early debacle as the pair put together a 181-run partnership for the third wicket.

The third-wicket partnership put the Indian bowlers under pressure before Mohammed Shami returned to the attack and removed the New Zealand captain in the 33rd over.

He scored 69 in 73 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and a six.

New Zealand then suffered another blow to their pursuit when Shami struck again to remove Tom Latham for a two-ball duck in the same over.

Mitchell then joined forces with Glenn Phillips to add 75 runs for the fifth wicket but Jasprit Bumrah broke the threatening partnership by dismissing the latter, who scored a brisk 41.

Phillips’ 33-ball knock featured four boundaries and two sixes.

Mohammed Shami then put New Zealand further to the backfoot by getting rid of Mark Chapman (2) before putting a final nail in the coffin by claiming the prized scalp of Mitchell.

Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a gutsy 134 in 119 deliveries, laced up with nine boundaries and seven sixes.

Indian bowlers then ran through New Zealand’s lower order and bundled out the former runners-up for 327 in 48.5 overs.

Mohammed Shami led the bowling attack for India with brilliant figures of 7/57 in 9.5 overs while Kuldeep Yadav, Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj made one scalp each.

Rohit Sharma once again provided India with a blistering start after winning the toss scoring 47 runs off 29 balls featuring four boundaries and as many sixes.

He departed in the ninth over, bowled by Tim Southee with 71 runs on the board as Kane Williamson took a magnificent catch to dismiss his Indian counterpart.

Virat Kohli joined Shubman Gill and together they knitted a solid 93-run partnership from 86 balls before Gill was retired hurt due to cramps.

Shreyas Iyer then joined Virat Kohli and they ran riot against New Zealand bowlers, adding 163 runs from 128 balls for the second wicket.

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Virat Kohli broke two records during the partnership as went past Sachin Tendulkar’s 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup to score the most runs in a single edition of the World Cup with 701 runs.

Virat Kohli also became the first batter to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket leaving behind Sachin Tendulkar with 49 centuries.

Virat Kohli’s record-breaking innings ended on the final ball of the 44th over by Tim Southee as Devon Conway pocketed a low catch at deep square leg.

He scored a total of 117 runs off 113 balls, featuring nine boundaries and two sixes.

Shreyas Iyer also scored a century, scoring a brisk 105 runs from 70 balls, with the help of four boundaries and eight sixes.

KL Rahul remained not out at 39 off 20, to see India reach a mammoth 397 runs in their allocated 50 overs.

Tim Southee topped the wickets chart for New Zealand with three wickets, however, he conceded 100 runs from his ten overs, while Trent Boult picked one wicket for 86 runs.

READ: Virat Kohli becomes the first batter to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket

Virat Kohli becomes the first batter to score 50 centuries in ODI cricket

MUMBAI: India’s star batter Virat Kohli has become the first batter in the history of ODI cricket to score 50 centuries during the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium.

Virat Kohli was tied with Legendary Sachin Tendulkar for scoring the most ODI centuries (49) before this match.

Virat Kohli completed his record-breaking 50th century during the 42nd over bowled by Lockie Ferguson, taking 106 balls to reach the landmark with the help of eight boundaries and one six.

Virat Kohli’s record-breaking innings ended on the final ball of the 44th over by Tim Southee as Devon Conway pocketed a low catch at deep square leg.

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He scored a total of 117 runs off 113 balls, featuring nine boundaries and two sixes.

Notably, this was his 80th international century overall, taking a step closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries across formats.

Other than scoring the 50th century, Virat Kohli broke another record of Sachin Tendulkar as he became the first batter to score 700 runs in a single edition of the ODI World Cup, going past the Indian batting great’s record of 673 runs in the 2003 edition of World Cup.

READ: No special treatment for injured captain Bavuma, says South Africa coach