World Test Championship Final Archives

Travis Head, Steve Smith turn tide for Australia in WTC final against India

LONDON: Travis Head’s dashing century was the centrepiece of an Australia fightback against India on the opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval on Wednesday.

Australia were in a commanding position on 327-3 at stumps after losing the toss, with Travis Head 146 not out and Steve Smith 95 not out.

Steve Smith brought up the pair’s 250 stand off the last ball of the day when he guided Mohammed Shami through the covers for a sweetly timed four.

The fourth-wicket duo had come together with Australia in trouble at 76-3 after being sent into bat in bowler-friendly conditions in the WTC Final.

But as the sun burst through the clouds in south London, the runs started to flow.

Travis Head had his moments of good fortune but by counter-attacking from the start of his innings — 24 of his first 27 runs came in boundaries — the left-hander put the pressure back on the bowlers.

With Steve Smith, who before this match averaged nearly 98 in Tests at The Oval, batting in more conventional fashion it gave the 29-year-old Head freedom to keep playing his shots.

By the time India tested Head with the short ball, he was well set and a pulled single off Shami took him to a sixth Test hundred in just 106 balls, including 13 fours and a six.

By contrast, Smith took 144 balls for his fifty.

But a superb driven four off Mohammed Siraj saw Smith into the 90s as he eyed a 31st Test hundred.

India took the new ball as soon as they could, with Australia 301-3 off 80 overs, but it made little difference.

India captain Rohit Sharma would have been looking for many more wickets after opting to bowl first.

And as Smith and Head repelled India, he might also have wondered about the wisdom of leaving out off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, who could have been a threat against an Australia top five featuring three left-handers.

India had started strongly in what was their second WTC Final after losing to New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 showpiece in Southampton.

Siraj removed Usman Khawaja for a duck with an excellent wobble-seam delivery and Australia, to the raucous delight of an overwhelmingly pro-India crowd, were 2-1.

But David Warner, who had managed just one century in his previous 32 Test innings, dug in before the increasingly assured opener struck Umesh Yadav for three fours in successive deliveries.

The 36-year-old left-hander’s promising innings ended on 43 when a gloved pull off medium-pacer Shardul Thakur was well caught down the legside by diving wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat.

Marnus Labuschagne, the world’s top-ranked Test batsman, fell early in the second session for his lunch score of 26 when he was bowled between bat and pad by a Shami inswinger.

Head was troubled by Ravindra Jadeja but then drove the left-arm spinner for four — one of nine boundaries in a 60-ball fifty.

The WTC is the only major men’s cricket trophy Australia have yet to win.

The WTC Final also marks the start of a packed schedule of six Tests in eight weeks for Australia, including a five-match Ashes series against England.

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Pat Cummins confirms Australia’s bowling attack for WTC Final

LONDON: Right-arm pacer Scott Boland will feature in the World Test Championship final as Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed his side’s bowling group for the big clash against India, starting on Wednesday at The Oval.

Scott Boland pipped Michael Neser, who was included in the Australian squad as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

While Skipper Pat Cummins confirmed Boland’s selection, he did not name the complete playing XI which will take on India in the Final.

However, he expressed there will be “no surprises” in the playing XI which means Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Boland round out Australia’s pace attack while Nathan Lyon spearheads the spin department.

“Scott is a seam bowler on a good length, but he just offers something slightly different to Joshy Hazlewood, and Starcy being a left hander is bit different,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“In the past here in England, because the ball does talk a little more, I’ve seen players get too caught up in trying to take wickets every ball because you’ve suddenly got the ball swinging and seaming,” he added

“Someone like Scotty, it’s just a really simple game-plan – you hit your good areas and you stay there all day and hopefully the ball will do the work for you.

“He’s had a few bowls over here now and has looked good. But he looks good whenever he bowls.”

The 34-year-old Boland has so far taken 28 wickets in his first seven Tests at an average of just 13.42. He made a remarkable start to his career during the last Ashes series in 2021-22 where he took 18 wickets.

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

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Josh Hazlewood ruled out of WTC Final, Neser replaces injured pacer

LONDON: Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of ICC World Test Championship final against India due to his ongoing Achilles and side issue.

Michael Neser will replace Josh Hazlewood in the Australian squad for the mega clash at the Oval’s London from June 7 to 11.

Josh Hazlewood has been fighting injury since leaving the Royal Challengers Bangalore early during the Indian Premier League, and Australia has decided not to take any chances with the right-armer ahead of a busy away schedule.

World Test Championship Final’s Event Technical Committee also approved the late change made by the Australian team.

The inclusion of all-rounder Neser to Australia’s 15-member squad for the one-off Test makes him a contender for the final XI along with Scott Boland.

Neser has been in excellent form recently for Glamorgan in England’s Country Championship as he claimed 19 wickets from five matches and even managed to score a hundred against Sussex.

The right-arm has played only two Tests during his career but could find a place in the final XI and partner skipper Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Mitchell Starc for the World Test Championship Final.

34-year-old Boland, on the other hand, has played seven Tests for his country – the most recent being the series opener against India at Nagpur in February – but has claimed 28 wickets at an imposing average of 13.42, making him a better choice than Neser.

It is hoped Hazlewood will be available for selection for the first Ashes Test in Birmingham from June 16.

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

Standby players: Mitch Marsh, Matthew Renshaw

Ajinkya Rahane returns as India name squad for WTC Final

NEW DELHI: Experienced top-order batter Ajinkya Rahane returned in national colours as the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, named a strong 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia.

Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in prolific form in the domestic circuit, got the reward as he was recalled to India’s Test side after a long hiatus of more than one year.

Shreyas Iyer’s back injury also played a significant role in Rahane’s return as the former is still on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery in the United Kingdom for a lower back stress fracture.

Rahane last represented India in January 2022 against South Africa and could score only 10 runs in two innings of the match.

Rahane’s inclusion further strengthened India’s strong batting order, comprised of skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, K L Rahul and KS Bharat.

The 15-member squad also features spin all-rounders in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel while five pacers – Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat.

It is worth mentioning here that India will take on Australia for the World Test Championship mace from June 7 at The Oval in London.

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Cummins, Warner return as Australia name WTC final and Ashes squad

Australia have included veteran David Warner along with two possible opening backups in the squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India and the opening two Ashes Tests.

Cricket Australia on Wednesday announced the 17-member touring party for the WTC decider from June 7 at the Oval and the first two matches of the Ashes.

Pat Cummmin will return as Australian captain after missing the last two Tests in India to spend time with his ailing mother.

Similarly, Warner will also make his comeback after recovering from an elbow injury sustained during the India tour in February, though two other left-handed openers – Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris – have been named as possible options to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

However, the squad for the WTC final against India needs to be cut down to 15 players by May 28.

The selectors will reassess their decision after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and make changes, if needed, to the squad for the remaining three Tests at Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.

Among the players who were part of the Australian squad that toured India, l Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann have not been retained.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis have been recalled for the upcoming assignment.

Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), 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 (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

New Zealand edge Sri Lanka to deny WTC final berth as India through

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand’s thrilling last-ball win over dejected Sri Lanka on Monday, propelled last season’s runners-up India into another World Test Championship (WTC) Final, said International Cricket Council (ICC).

Sri Lanka had the opportunity to pip India and join already-qualified Australia in the WTC final but a narrow two-wicket defeat in the first away Test against New Zealand marked the end of Dimuths Karunaratne’s side’s push for the final spot.

After losing the first, Sri Lanka left with the best possible winning percentage of 56%, compared to India’s lowest percentage which is now 57%.

“India’s destructive start to their Test series at home against Australia means their worst possible WTC points percentage is now 57%, assuming there are no penalty points against them for a poor over rate in the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad,” stated ICC in a release.

“Sri Lanka were initially hampered by rain and then unable to bowl out New Zealand on day five of the first Test in Christchurch, meaning Dimuth Karunaratne’s side can now finish with a best possible WTC points percentage of 56% even if they win the second Test,” the statement added.

India’s domination in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy sets up their World Test Championship Final with Australia at The Oval beginning on June 7, with the winner claiming the World Test Championship mace.

India lost the inaugural World Test Championship final against New Zealand in 2021, as Kane Williamson’s men chased down a modest target of 139 in Southampton.

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New Zealand stand in way of Sri Lanka’s world Test final quest

New Zealand will take momentum from their dramatic one-run win over England into this week’s first Test against Sri Lanka, who could reach the ICC World Test Championship final with a 2-0 series sweep.

Tim Southee’s hosts became just the fourth team to win a Test after following on as they secured a draw in the two-match series against England.

Kane Williamson, who became New Zealand’s record run-scorer in the thrilling Wellington win, said it was vital to kick on after the Black Caps ended a seven-Test winless run.

“It’s been a long time for us to get over the line,” former skipper Williamson said ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Thursday in Christchurch.

“We haven’t had the results we would’ve liked, despite putting the work in, so it’s nice to get those rewards.

“It’s an important series for us now as we are looking to improve and we’re focused in trying to put out better performances.”

Sri Lanka have only won two Tests of the 19 they have played in New Zealand.

But skipper Dimuth Karunaratne’s side have extra incentive this time.

They can reach the WTC final against Australia with a 2-0 series triumph, providing India fail to beat Australia in the final Test in Ahmedabad, which also begins Thursday.

Sri Lanka are an improving and more consistent side under Chris Silverwood, who took over as head coach in April last year.

They beat Bangladesh 1-0 away and drew 1-1 at home with both Australia and Pakistan, all in two-Test series, since the former England fast bowler’s appointment.

Their hopes of qualifying for the showpiece at The Oval in June were boosted when Australia clinched their place by winning the third Test against India in Indore inside three days last week.

“To get to the WTC final would be unbelievable,” Silverwood said.

“But at the same time we know we’ve got a very good New Zealand team in front of us as well and we have to respect that, work hard, and try and earn that right.”

New Zealand retained the squad that beat England in Wellington while Sri Lanka brought in two uncapped players, the 23-year-old batsman Nishan Madushka and seam bowler Milan Rathnayake, 26.

Madushka forced his way into the Test squad after scoring two centuries and a double hundred in three appearances against the touring England Lions a few weeks ago.

Sri Lanka’s preparations have been disrupted by rain, with the second day of their only warm-up match against a New Zealand Board XI washed out on Sunday in Lincoln, just outside Christchurch.

Sri Lanka will also play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s against New Zealand after the Tests.

New Zealand: Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake

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Lord’s to host World Test Championship finals of 2023 and 2025

BIRMINGHAM: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced Lord’s Cricket Ground as the host of the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 and 2025.

On the final day of its annual conference here, the cricket governing body confirmed Lord’s as the host of the finals of the next two editions of WTC.

Prior to being moved to Southampton, the final of the first season of WTC was originally scheduled to take place at Lord’s. To win the inaugural competition, New Zealand defeated India in the final by an eight-wicket margin.

Besides WTC, ICC also announced the host nations for the upcoming four women’s global events till 2027. England, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka were chosen as the hosts.

According to the details, Bangladesh will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the second time in 2024, while England will host the tournament for the first time since 2009 in 2026.

It is apropos to mention here that South Africa lead the WTC 2023 standings with a 71.43 win percentage, followed by Australia and Pakistan in second and third respectively.

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Lord’s likely to host World Test Championship final in 2023

LONDON: The Home of Cricket Lord’s Cricket Ground is likely to host the final of the ongoing World Test Championship in 2023.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering Lord’s as the viable option to host the final as the COVID-19 restrictions have been ended in the United Kingdom (UK).

As per the details, the cricket governing body is likely to make an official announcement at their Annual General Meeting next month.

The chairperson of the ICC – Greg Barclay, also hinted at the Lord’s as a possible venue to host the final of the World Test Championship.

“I think it is scheduled for Lord’s, that was always the intention,” Barclay said during BBC’s Test Match Special on the second day of the ongoing first Test between England and New Zealand.

“It’s June so that rules out a number of other venues and we’ve got to get certainty around where it’s hosted. We’re out of Covid now so subject to arrangements being made and being able to be hosted out of Lord’s I think that’s the intention,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final between New Zealand and India was shifted from Lord’s to Southampton following the COVID-19 outbreak in the region. The Black Caps eventually defeated India by eight wickets to win their first major ICC trophy.

Australia, on the other hand, lead the points table of the ongoing Test championship, followed by South Africa and India in the second and third place respectively. Whereas, Pakistan slipped to the fifth following Sri Lanka’s surge to the fourth following their away series win over Bangladesh.