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1 year ago
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British broadcaster and cricket fanatic Piers Morgan has swallowed his pride to send a grudging message of congratulations to Pat Cummins and his team after their record sixth World Cup win.
The outspoken media personality made headlines during this year's Ashes series when he slammed the Aussie team at every opportunity over the highly controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the second Test, when the wicketkeeper was stumped as he left his crease during the last ball of an over.
Morgan went as far as comparing the wicket to the infamous underarm ball Australia bowled against New Zealand in 1981, and even said his friend Shane Warne would think the incident was 'pretty ordinary' if he was still alive.
To his credit, he praised the Aussies - with more than a touch of sarcasm - after their stunning six-wicket win over India in Ahmedabad on Monday, tweeting: 'Congrats to Australia on winning the World Cup. So well deserved after the Ashes debacle. I couldn't be happier for you all.'
Morgan also praised the match-winning century from Aussie star Travis Head, who also took a stunning catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma in Ahmedabad
The outspoken cricket fanatic made headlines during this year's Ashes series when he slammed the Aussie team at every opportunity over Jonny Bairstow's stumping
Morgan's post was accompanied by a gif of Jack Nicholson furiously smashing kitchen equipment in a clip from The Shining in an obvious nod to how he really felt about Australia taking out their sixth World Cup title.
The 58-year-old also praised Travis Head for his stunning knock of 137 from just 120 balls, posting on X: 'Tremendous innings by Head. He's the new Steve Waugh.'
Aussie cricket fans took the opportunity to not-so-gently remind Morgan about the Ashes result and their country's other big wins in 2023, with one writing: 'Ashes debacle? Where we retained the ashes because some fat bloke saw a lolly down the pitch and got run out? 3 trophies this year, zero for England.'
England's famous Barmy Army supporters group also congratulated the World Cup victors on social media - and got a very cheeky reply from star Aussie batter David Warner for their trouble.
'Think the Aussie team in our Fans World Cup might be struggling tomorrow,' they posted along with video of fans celebrating wildly after the win.
Warner simply replied: 'Just another one for us lads.'
Veteran Aussie batter David Warner couldn't resist a good-natured dig at England when the famous Barmy Army fan group posted about the World Cup final
Pictured left to right: Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their upset win over India
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins declared the sixth World Cup title 'the pinnacle of international cricket' after Travis Head's batting masterclass sealed victory.
Chasing 241 for victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday (Monday AEDT), Head hit 137 to take Australia from early trouble to a comfortable win with seven overs to spare.
His runs came as part of a 192-run fourth-wicket stand with Marnus Labuschagne, who struck a controlled 58 off 110 by turning the strike over and letting Head star.
Together the pair helped silence a rocking Narendra Modi Stadium, after the previously-unbeaten hosts had Australia 3-47.
'That's the pinnacle of international cricket, winning a one-day World Cup, especially over here in India, in front of a crowd like this,' he said.
'It's been a big year for everyone but our cricket team has been here in India, Ashes, World Test Championship and to top it off with this is just huge.
'These are the moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life.'
English (US)