Australia’s Travis Head secured the Player of the Match title in both the semifinal and final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, echoing the achievements of cricket legends Mohinder Amarnath, Aravinda de Silva, and Shane Warne.
Head’s stellar performance propelled Australia to a sensational victory over India in the summit clash held in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The left-handed batter showcased his mettle by top-scoring with a brilliant 120-ball 137 in a challenging 241-run chase. Head’s composed innings, adorned with 15 fours and six sixes, demonstrated his prowess under pressure.
Notably, Head faced a formidable opening spell from India’s pace duo, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, yet emerged as only the second batter, after Aravinda de Silva, to achieve a World Cup final hundred while chasing.
This accomplishment also marked Head as the sixth Australian player to earn the Player of the Match title in an ODI World Cup final. Interestingly, he had previously claimed the accolade in the World Test Championship final earlier in the year when Australia outplayed India.
The 29-year-old’s remarkable achievement joins the elite league of cricket icons, setting a new benchmark in ODI World Cup history. Head’s consistency and resilience against top-class opposition bowlers underscore his crucial role in Australia’s triumph.
In retrospect, the list of players achieving this dual honor includes India’s Mohinder Amarnath in 1983, Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva in 1996, and Australia’s Shane Warne in 1999. Travis Head’s name now stands proudly among these cricketing legends, etching his mark in the annals of the sport.
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