‘Final will be a great spectacle’

AUSTRALIA’S Mitchell Starc says tomorrow’s Cricket World Cup final against India promises to be “a big occasion” and a “great spectacle”.

Starc helped Australia conquer South Africa in Thursday’s semifinal at Eden Gardens, claiming three for 34 and holding up his end in a vital partnership with captain Pat Cummins during the closing moments of a tense chase.

In the end, Australia squeaked home by three wickets in a lowscoring encounter, with Starc’s new-ball burst doing a huge amount of heavy lifting.

However, the intensity is only going to be dialled up when the Australians take on undefeated home side India in Ahmedabad tomorrow, with up to 100,000 supporters ready to roar their nation on at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It is a prospect Starc, below left, is ready to embrace.

“It’s certainly going to be a big occasion, a World Cup final in

India. It’s going to be loud,” he said. “I think it’s just going to be a great spectacle of cricket, no doubt. There’s going to be a lot of passion there. Certainly, everyone in our changing room is looking forward to it.

“I don’t think either changing room is new to big occasions. You want to take on the best and that’s why we play the game.

“They’ve been the best team in the tournament so far and we both find ourselves in the final. That’s what World Cups are about.”

Australia skipper Cummins, above right, added: “The stadium is going to be packed, pretty onesided, but we’ve got to embrace it.

“The 2015 World Cup was a career highlight, so to be out there in a final in India, I can’t wait.”

Meanwhile, England may have made an early exit, but English cricket will be represented in the final, with umpiring pair Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough taking charge of the tournament showpiece.

The pair have been selected to stand as hosts India take on Australia in Ahmedabad, with Kettleborough taking centre stage for the second time having previously officiated the 2015 final.

Both men umpired in the semifinals, Illingworth involved as India defeated New Zealand and Kettleborough in the middle for Australia’s win over South Africa.

West Indian Joel Wilson and Kiwi Chris Gaffaney are on hand as third and fourth umpire, while Zimbabwean Andy Pycroft serves as match referee.