When Australia steps into the world’s greatest stadium for the ultimate on Sunday, it might be the final time we see this ODI staff collectively.

After winding its means throughout India, the match will kick off on the Narendra Modi Stadium within the western metropolis of Ahmedabad, the place Australia will meet the hosts.

However this consequence appeared unlikely at first.

Previous to the match, Australia misplaced 3-2 to South Africa within the five-match ODI collection and 2-1 to India within the three-match collection. Within the fourth Check towards the Proteas, leg-spinner Adam Zampa equaled the file for many runs conceded by a bowler in one-day internationals.

The five-time World Cup winners additionally had a poor begin to the match, shedding two video games in a row, first to India within the opener after which to South Africa of their heaviest defeat of the match.

Nonetheless, Australia skilled a renaissance as they gained their remaining seven video games within the group stage, peaking on the proper time and knocking out a spirited South Africa within the semi-finals to e book a spot for Sunday’s match. a spot.

When Australia struggled, some questioned whether or not the age of the staff was an element.

The Australian staff is the second oldest staff on this World Cup, second solely to England, with a median age of 31.73 years. The oldest of the openers, David Warner, is 36, and Cameron Inexperienced is the youngest, 24.

Nonetheless, when confronted with strain, they are going to step up when the time is true. The 31-year-old Zampa has performed three consecutive semi-finals towards Sri Lanka (4-47), Pakistan (4-53) and Netherlands (4-8).

Warner has already hit two 100s, whereas 29-year-old Travis Head hit 59 100s in his first sport again from a damaged hand rating.

Glenn Maxwell, 35, scored the quickest 40-goal century within the World Cup towards Netherlands in Delhi. He broke Aiden Markram’s earlier file of 49 towards Sri Lanka in South Africa 18 days in the past.

Maxwell’s cameo continued towards Afghanistan when he hit a shocking double hundred, which captain Pat Cummins described as “the best ODI innings ever”.

The 34-year-old Steve Smith didn’t carry out nicely on this competitors. His highest rating towards the Dutch staff was 71 factors. Nonetheless, the right-handed batsman might want to guarantee he makes a big contribution within the last if Australia are to come back near the trophy.

sky sports activities’ Nasser Hussain agreed: “A man like Steve Smith, in a quiet sport, might want to rating a giant 100. The Australian staff should enhance with the bat To beat this Indian staff is to get above par on the draw.”

From a bowling perspective, seamers Josh Hazlewood, 32, and Pat Cummins, 30, have been taking common wickets whereas the tempo 33 Pitcher Mitchell Starc has been making huge performs in knocking out key gamers. However contemplating the age of this assault, they might not function within the subsequent ODI World Cup.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the 2027 World Cup, by which period a lot of Australia’s present senior gamers will likely be of their 30s and should retire from the format.

Their last lap of honor will due to this fact be in India, the nation the place Australia gained its first ODI World Cup title in 1987.

If Sunday does mark a altering of the guard in Australian ODI cricket, then just a few issues are for certain: underestimate Australia at your peril, Warner and Smith’s drama won’t ever be forgotten, and beating a seemingly invincible India will go down as the largest One of many greatest upsets in sports activities historical past.

Watch the Cricket World Cup last between India and Australia reside sky sports activities cricket Beginning at 7.30am on Sunday (first pitch at 8.30am).Hindi protection begins at 8.20am Sky Sports activities Portfolio.

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