Brilliant Travis Head century guides Australia to World Cup final win over India

A fabulous century by Travis Head helped to guide Australia to a six-wicket win over hosts India in the World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a victory target of 241 after an impressive bowling performance, Australia looked in a spot of bother after losing three early wickets with David Warner (seven), Mitchell Marsh (15) and Steve Smith (four) all falling cheaply.

But that brought Marnus Labuschagne to the crease and his partnership with Head would prove to be the game-changing one that would leave the 100,000-plus crowd of predominantly Indian fans sitting in stunned silence.

The pair put together a stand of 192 with Head out for 137 and Labuschagne finishing unbeaten on 58 as Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs that secured Australia a record-extending sixth one-day world title with 42 balls to spare.

The 29-year-old was not even in the country when the campaign began, joining up late due to a fractured left hand that sidelined him for Australia's first four matches, but the selectors' faith paid off lavishly after he followed up his player-of-the-match effort in the semi-final against South Africa with something even better.

It capped an impressive year for Australia and Head, who also scored a ton in Australia's World Test Championship final win over India, when he scored a first-innings 163 to put his side on the way to 209-run victory at The Oval.

“Not in a million years did I think that would happen,” said Head of his efforts. “What an amazing day. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it.

“It is a lot better than being sat on the couch at home! I'm very lucky that everything went well and I was able to get back and repay the support that the boys showed, I didn't think this would happen.

“I was