WTC23 Final: Australia vs India | The Oval | June 7-11, 2023 | Day 1

[MenInG]

The second World Test Championship Final is upon us as the two most consistent Test teams over the last two years clash for a trophy, which despite fighting for relevance and context, remains a world title that neither have won. India of course fell short two years ago against an inspired New Zealand outfit in Southampton while Australia didn't even make it that far. And the two finalists have had two very different journeys to get to this point. While India has largely been in a rebuilding stage under Rohit Sharma following the end of the Kohli captaincy era, Australia have built themselves up under Cummins after parting ways with Tim Paine. As it turns out, India have played quite a bit in England in this current cycle, having had their five-match Test series in 2021 spread over two years. Australia, meanwhile, have the luxury for once to be in England on an 'Ashes' tour for a whole two weeks without having to obsess solely on England.

Squads:

Australia Squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Srikar Bharat(w), Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat

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[MenInG]

Australia captain Pat Cummins said he hopes ‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters will not disrupt the World Test Championship final against India in London after his team’s bus was held up on the way to training.

Protesters stopped traffic near The Oval on Monday and had to be cleared by police before the Australian team could reach the venue for training.

England’s team bus was held up by the same group’s protesters when heading to Lord’s ahead of the first day of their one-off test against Ireland last week.

“It’s something we got in the security briefing a couple days ago," Cummins told reporters.

“I’ve heard that they’re aware of it and kind of keeping an eye out. But that’s as much as we’ve heard.

“So hopefully, it doesn’t happen, obviously. But yeah, I’ve heard there’s a few different events that have been affected."

‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters halted the world snooker championship and the English Premiership rugby final in recent months.

One protester climbed onto a table and scattered a bag of orange powder paint at the snooker tournament while protesters invaded the pitch 15 minutes into the rugby match at Twickenham between Saracens and Sale.

Cummins has long voiced concerns about the impact of climate change but did not throw his weight behind the demonstrations.

“My view is always just there’s right ways to go about things and potentially not the right way to go about things," he said.

“Whenever anyone’s got any beliefs, you just hope you take the right option."

News18

 

[Mesozoic]

Not too hopeful about this. Australia are a stronger side than New Zealand of 2021 and we got a lot weaker with the absence of Bumrah and Pant.

Only reason I'll even watch is because of our tendency to usually raise our game against Australia. Hope we get a good game..

 

[MP2011]

Australia's test to lose.

 

[Aman]

Think Aus are too good these days.

Conditions will suit them too. Think they win this but it'll be pretty close.

 

[JattMaula]

I hope we get a 5 day test.

 

[Mamoon]

Think Aus are too good these days.

Conditions will suit them too. Think they win this but it'll be pretty close.

Australia always gets overrated here. They are a strong side but not as strong as people think. There is nothing to suggest that they are too good.

People thought they would finally beat India in India but they got butchered as always, even though India were not at their best and were missing key players.

Australia no longer have any reason to be scared of India since Paine and Langer are not around anymore and Pant is also injured, but the psychological damage India has done to Australia over the last 5 years might play a role.

If India put their best foot forward they should win this one.

 

[Aman]

Australia always gets overrated here. They are a strong side but not as strong as people think. There is nothing to suggest that they are too good.

People thought they would finally beat India in India but they got butchered as always, even though India were not at their best and were missing key players.

Australia no longer have any reason to be scared of India since Paine and Langer are not around anymore and Pant is also injured, but the psychological damage India has done to Australia over the last 5 years might play a role.

If India put their best foot forward they should win this one.

lol had Aus not completely botched a session or two they would have won the series in India. Not sure how they were 'butchered' when they could have realistically walked away with a series win had it not been for self inflicted collapse in a session where all the Aussie batsmen became obsessed with playing the sweep.

 

[MenInG]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have prepared two pitches for World Test Championship Final between India and Australia following a threat from oil protesters who threatened to vandalize the pitch and ground during the match. Keeping the threat in mind the security has been increased at the Kennington Oval cricket ground. The ICC have also made changes in their section 6.4 of the Playing Condition rule making an alternative pitch as per the ICC source.

NDTV

 

[U$ofA]

lol had Aus not completely botched a session or two they would have won the series in India. Not sure how they were 'butchered' when they could have realistically walked away with a series win had it not been for self inflicted collapse in a session where all the Aussie batsmen became obsessed with playing the sweep.

Ind. I think have won all the test series played in the last 5 years or so. The record is something like 11-4 to Ind. This includes winning on Aus. turf. I would call this pretty one sided. Especially, winning in Aus. is no easy task. Aus. are great at home.

 

[Aman]

Ind. I think have won all the test series played in the last 5 years or so. The record is something like 11-4 to Ind. This includes winning on Aus. turf. I would call this pretty one sided. Especially, winning in Aus. is no easy task. Aus. are great at home.

He's talking about the recent series in India.

 

[Rajdeep]

[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] - Last time Australia has beaten India in a test series was in 2014 when MS Dhoni was still our test captain. India has mental edge over them.

Even though India missing some key players like Bumrah, KL Rahul, Pandya, Pant, Washington etc., I still fully expect us to beat them. Said the same in pre match thread and saying it now (loudly) again.

 

[U$ofA]

[MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] - Last time Australia has beaten India in a test series was in 2014 when MS Dhoni was still our test captain. India has mental edge over them.

Even though India missing some key players like Bumrah, KL Rahul, Pandya, Pant, Washington etc., I still fully expect us to beat them. Said the same in pre match thread and saying it now (loudly) again.

I would give the edge to Aus. in this match. Missing Bumrah and Pant is very big and in my opinion tilts it in Aus. favor. Top that with no KL Rahul option, who would have slotted in for Pant.

Aus. favourites here. I cannot see an Ind. win.

 

[RexRex]

Ind. I think have won all the test series played in the last 5 years or so. The record is something like 11-4 to Ind.

That is a stunning record vs a side that is more or less the Brazil of cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

lol had Aus not completely botched a session or two they would have won the series in India. Not sure how they were 'butchered' when they could have realistically walked away with a series win had it not been for self inflicted collapse in a session where all the Aussie batsmen became obsessed with playing the sweep.

You could rewrite the entire history of cricket with had they did this or did that. It doesn’t mean anything. The only thing that matters is what actually happened not what could have happened.

India inflicted an innings defeat in the first Test, won the second Test by 6 wickets and had a 100+ runs lead in the fourth Test. The third Test was the only match where the ‘too good’ Australia outplayed India.

Australia have never been anything beyond a decent Test team since the golden generation ended in 2007. At no point between 2008 and today have they been ‘too good’.

They get consistently overhyped by New Zealand fans because the inferiority complex runs deep and also because of the the little brother mentality. They also get overhyped by Pakistani fans because Pakistan always get hammered in Australia and also lost at home last year.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Depending on time of summer the oval is usually full of pace and bounce or tends to favour reverse swing and spin.

Either way both sides are equipped to thrive in these conditions. India having beaten Aussies regularly home and away now, must start as favourites here.

 

[Rajdeep]

India won the toss and bowling first

Ashwin is out and India playing with 4 seamers

Scott Bolan in for Australia in place of Hazelwood

 

[Rajdeep]

Face of Pujara and Rahane in the team lineup makes me sick

 

[JattMaula]

Correct decision on toss.

 

[MenInG]

India have won the toss and have opted to field

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

 

[JattMaula]

Face of Pujara and Rahane in the team lineup makes me sick

This is the farewell match for 4 of top 5.

 

[Devadwal]

This is the farewell match for 4 of top 5.

Hope they win this final and end the drought of ICC trophy

 

[Thanos]

Selecting one between Ashwin and Jadeja is a difficult choice.
Aussies got 3 left handed in top 6. Ashwin could've been useful.
But looking at conditions and overall impact, picking Jadeja always makes sense.

 

[Chip32]

The ICC have done a **** poor job of marketing this game.

 

[Rajdeep]

Khwaja gone...caught behind

 

[JattMaula]

 

[Devadwal]

Need to get minimum 3 wickets in first session

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Australia comfortably the better Test side. Really looking forward to the Ashes. That'll be the real challenge for OZ. Also when Pakistan tours Australia , it'll be a challenge for them.

 

[Rajdeep]

Now Sun is out...batting will get easier from here

 

[imshally81]

Batting 4th will be difficult here....

 

[RamLakhan]

Umesh Yadav is a wrong choice for overseas tests!

 

[MP2011]

Umpire's call it is.

 

[RamLakhan]

Pant and Bumrah are huge misses for India in overseas tests!

 

[Champ_Pal]

As usual, it’s a pathetic team selection.

Ashwin should be playing in place of Umesh.

Kishan should be playing in place of Bharat.

Umesh has always been a spray gun. Indian tail has also lengthened with the exclusion of both Ashwin and Axar.

A real facepalm worthy team.

 

[MenInG]

Warner getting more comfortable now.

 

[MP2011]

Umesh Yadav is a cannon fodder on this pitch.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Labu is enjoying his luck

 

[MP2011]

Labu is enjoying his luck

Indeed. There has never been a luckier batsman than Labu.

 

[Rana]

Warner creaming Yadav

 

[MP2011]

Review lost.

 

[MP2011]

We are such an excitable bunch when it comes to reviews especially in test cricket irrespective of the captain who leads us.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Ridiculous review. That was missing leg by a mile.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Labs has to be the luckiest guy going around especially against us

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

our guys are building up the pressure, some dots here and there ...but not pitching it up enough

 

[Rajdeep]

our guys are building up the pressure, some dots here and there ...but not pitching it up enough

Patience. Wickets coming soon as soon as Jaddu comes to bowl

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Good move by KSB to come up to stums? to Shardul and to counter Labs standing outside crease...what say?

 

[MP2011]

Looks like it was a good toss to lose for Australia.

 

[RamLakhan]

We are such an excitable bunch when it comes to reviews especially in test cricket irrespective of the captain who leads us.

It is more out of desperation to pick wickets rather than actually observing what ball has done...

 

[RamLakhan]

Looks like it was a good toss to lose for Australia.

Indians were probably scared of bazball in last Test Match played in England. They should have actually got inspired by their previous test match in oval... It was a poor decision by Rohit. During dry weather in England it is better to bat first...

 

[Rajdeep]

Warner goneeee....Lord Thakur

 

[MP2011]

What a lucky wicket for Thakur!

Never mind, its Warner!

 

[Rajdeep]

Lets get Smith out now before Lunch.

Rohit should give 1 over to Jaddu before lunch.

 

[MP2011]

Great to get a wicket just before lunch and that too of Warner.

 

[RamLakhan]

Thakur is any day better than Umesh in overseas tests! Please give impact sub (courtesy: IPL) so that we can replace Umesh with Ashwin or anyone...

 

[MP2011]

Indians were probably scared of bazball in last Test Match played in England. They should have actually got inspired by their previous test match in oval... It was a poor decision by Rohit. During dry weather in England it is better to bat first...

Yeah, it won't be easy to bat here in 4th innings.

 

[MP2011]

That was a great catch from Bharat.

 

[Rajdeep]

FYI - Steve Smith avgs close to 100 in Oval Cricket ground

 

[Champ_Pal]

Ashwin sitting out is a terrible sight. He had great success against Smith and against lefties he is a menace.
Dravid and Rohit have a lot of explaining to do at the end of the match.

 

[NeVerMind]

Storms predicted for the weekend...is there a reserve day for this test?

 

[RamLakhan]

FYI - Steve Smith avgs close to 100 in Oval Cricket ground

Ominous signs for India and they bat last (without Pant). Match is 80-20 in favor of Australia. I think Australia will seize the opportunity to cover up all the ICC Crowns (they won T20 WC in 2021). They would like to become the 1st team to win all the ICC trophies...

 

[DeadlyVenom]

This next session will decide the match.

 

[jattafridi]

Luck is with India

Congrats in advance Indian cricket fans

 

[MenInG]

 

[Devadwal]

Labuschange bowled by Shami.

 

[Sachin136]

Storms predicted for the weekend...is there a reserve day for this test?

Yes there is.

 

[MenInG]

Brilliant from Shami

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[CrIc_Mystique]

Luck is with India

Congrats in advance Indian cricket fans &#55358;&#56698;

They worked freakin hard to get to the finals m8 over the last 2 years...it ai'nt only luck.....they have skills as well.

 

[Markhor]

Storms predicted for the weekend...is there a reserve day for this test?

Yes but the Met Office is forecasting clear weather for all 5 days of this Test. Things can change obviously but hopefully we should be okay.

 

[Rajdeep]

Smith's judgement on offstump line is so good. Not a single Indian batsman has that level of off side stump awareness

 

[Ahmed216]

Four top order lefties in Aus side and this is oval. Why they ain't playing Ashwin?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pretty even game so far, India chipping away with wickets and also keeping runs in check. Both Smith and Head would need to score heavily here to give Aussies an early foot hold in game.

 

[Rajdeep]

A bit off topic, but this WTC final should have been Ind vs Pak. India was always going to qualify as they are invincible at home but ICC had specifically assigned all easy overseas tours for Pakistan so that they could qualify as well. But they failed to capitalize on it. An India vs Pakistan WTC final would have been epic and would have made millions for ICC.

Sigh

 

[nextover666666]

What would be a good first innings score for Australia is their looking to win/ get a result.

 

[MP2011]

Four top order lefties in Aus side and this is oval. Why they ain't playing Ashwin?

Because our selection has been dire especially since Dravid took over.

 

[RamLakhan]

Worst decision at the toss!

 

[RamLakhan]

Pandya could have played this test and strengthened the batting and bowled that bit of bowling what Umesh did... And we badly need a No.5 or No.6 who can bowl a bit of spin. Jadeja should rather accommodate that batsman slot (if there is no such player in the country) and make way for Ashwin to be the proper lone-spinner in the team...

 

[MP2011]

Jadeja was ineffective in last WTC final and the same may hold true in this WTC final too.

We penalized the only bowler (Ashwin) who was bit successful on that occasion.

 

[Rajdeep]

Travis Head treating Indian trundlers same way Fakhar Zaman treated them in this same ground )

 

[Ab Fan]

Travis Head is a more impactful test batsman than anyone else in the world.

 

[Ab Fan]

Four top order lefties in Aus side and this is oval. Why they ain't playing Ashwin?

Because he has a poor record outside subcontinent and Windies.