Less than three months after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia and India are set to lock horns once again in the World Test Championship final, with both nations eyeing their maiden title.
Australia has dominated the Test cricket arena over the past 18 months, unbeaten at home across ten matches and securing a historic series win in Pakistan.
Gritty victories over Sri Lanka in Galle and India in Indore was enough for Australia to clinch top spot on the World Test Championship ladder, with Rohit Sharma’s powerhouse side nipping at their heels in second place.
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Following India’s recent triumph over Australia in the subcontinent, the WTC Final poses a fresh challenge for both sides, with The Oval hosting the marquee contest. It marks the first time in Test history Australia and India have faced off at a neutral venue, dating back to 1947.
“I think it will be a bit more similar to an Australian wicket than it will be to an Indian wicket, therefore I’m giving a slight advantage to Australia,” former Test captain Ricky Ponting said last week.
“If this game was being played in India, I would’ve said it’s really going to be hard for Australia to win. If this game was played in Australia, I’d say Australia are the heavy favourites. The fact that this final is being played in England, it probably brings both teams a little closer together.”
India fell short of lifting the Test Championship mace two years ago, bettered by Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the 2021 final — the world’s No. 1 Test nation will be eyeing redemption.
However, India has been dealt a cluster of frustrating injury blows ahead of the WTC Final, with KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Shreya Iyer all unavailable for selection.
Meanwhile, Australian selectors are considering wrapping the injury-prone paceman Josh Hazlewood in cotton wool ahead of the Ashes, opening the door for Scott Boland to feature in the WTC Final.
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DATE AND VENUE?
Wednesday, June 7 – Sunday, June 11
The Oval, London
SESSION TIMES (AEST)
Morning session: 8pm-10pm
Lunch: 10pm-10.40pm
Afternoon session: 10.40pm-12.40am
Tea: 12.40am-1am
Evening session: 1am-3am
RESERVE DAY?
The World Test Championship final will have a reserve day on Monday, June 12 if required, but only if lost playing time from the scheduled five days could not be made up.
The reserve day was needed for the 2021 final between New Zealand and India after the first and fourth days ended as a washout.
WHAT IF IT’S A DRAW?
Australia and India will be crowned joint winners of the World Test Championship should the final end in a draw or a tie.
WHAT BALL WILL BE USED?
Despite some mixed reports in the media, Australia and India will use a Dukes ball for the World Test Championship final, the ICC has confirmed.
SQUADS
Australian squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
* Australia will named a condensed 15-player squad later this week
Indian squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk)
ODDS (TAB)
Australia — 2.00
India — 2.60
Draw — 5.50
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