If not, the potent South African pace attack, spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, could pave the way for the Proteas’ long-awaited maiden world title in men’s international cricket
Rewind to 2023: Australia, reeling at 76/3 after India opted to field, saw the tide turn through a breathtaking 285-run stand between Head and Smith for the third wicket. Head’s blazing 163 and Smith’s elegant 121 laid the foundation for a commanding first-innings total of 469
Their dominance left India reeling, as the Asian powerhouse stumbled in pursuit of 444, ultimately succumbing to a 209-run defeat, yet another heartbreaker in their string of ICC final disappointments
Smith, now 36, is a seasoned veteran in ICC knockout fixtures and a paragon of Australia's famed 'big-match mentality.' Across 12 such games, he has amassed 584 runs at an average of 58.40, including two centuries and four half-centuries. His top score of 121, coincidentally achieved in the 2023 final, remains a testament to his ability to anchor under pressure
Head, meanwhile, has emerged as Australia’s X-factor in pressure situations. His aggressive, counter-attacking style has reaped rich dividends in knockout games. In just five innings across four matches, he has piled up 419 runs at a staggering average of 104.22, notching up two centuries and one fifty
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