We were desperate in the field, I thought it all started against South Africa last week. The boys were fantastic. We've got an ageing squad but we are still throwing ourselves around. We were really chuffed with 240 because we were happy with anything under 300." Smith and Warner are generational talents. Starc a strike bowler, Cummins is Mr Consistent, and Maxwell remains equal parts sublime and ridiculous, but a game-turner nonetheless.

India batsman Sanju Samson will captain the side after Smith's departure, with England batsman Liam Livingstone also in the squad. The ODI year started with a 2-1 series win in India before this team led South Africa 2-0 over there. Then the Proteas won the remaining three matches by an average of 132 runs a game and the series 3-2 in September. Former England bowler Steven Finn on BBC Test Match Special: "Everything, from start to finish, that Australia did was outstanding. India, meanwhile, were left crestfallen as their bid for a first white-ball title since 2011 - an achievement which looked unstoppable as they made rampant progress through the semi-final and group stage - fell at the final hurdle. Player of the match Travis Head: "Not in a million years did I think that would happen [being man of the match today and in the World Test Championship final]. What an amazing day. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it.

Footer

You have to be brave to win a World Cup. You can't wait for it to happen. You have to be brave and take the game on. Australia captain Pat Cummins: "We saved our best for last and a couple of big-match players stood up and we're pretty chuffed." Will Mumbai make it six? And new beginnings for Smith Steve Smith captained Rajasthan Royals in 2020 but was released by the franchise for 2021 Kohli has not had it easy in the IPL, with Royal Challengers Bangalore still in the hunt for their first ever tournament win. Australia were contenders when this tournament began, without being tipped by many to go all of the way, just like when they won the 2021 T20 World Cup.

The competition begins with Mumbai Indians - the current holders and most successful team in IPL history - facing Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. Australia captain Pat Cummins: "We saved our best for last and a couple of big-match players stood up and we're pretty chuffed. At the end, their players, including England's old foes David Warner and Steve Smith, charged onto the field in celebration. We were not good enough today but I am really proud of the way we have played since day one. Today was not our day.With the likes of West Indies' Kieron Pollard and India duo Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, you can expect high scores and plenty of big hitting from the Mumbai batting. It also caps a six-month period in which they beat India to win the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes in England.