It was clear just after the World Cup final on Sunday that the Australia players had a particular turning point in their memories. “None for 120 against Sri Lanka seems a long time ago now, and being 0 and 2,” said a broadly smiling Mitchell Starc as the PA system blared dramatic music and his teammates gathered in anticipation of the trophy presentation.
His captain, Pat Cummins, referenced that game as well: at one point Sri Lanka’s openers had slammed 125 by the 22nd over against a team that had been belted by India and South Africa. Our coverage after those two losses identified that the road was running out. “From a maths perspective, Australia’s World Cup campaign is not yet at crisis point,” we wrote. “But it’s going to need something, some sort of spark that can get this team enjoying the challenge instead of being daunted by it.”
