Travis Head’s magnificent century took center stage as Australia launched a strong counterattack against India on the opening day of the World Test Championship final at The Oval on Wednesday.

Despite losing the toss, Australia ended the day in a commanding position at 327/3, with Head unbeaten on an impressive 146 and Steve Smith not out on 95.

The duo reached their partnership of 250 runs on the final ball of the day, with Smith elegantly guiding Mohammed Shami through the covers for a boundary.

Australia found themselves in trouble at 76/3 after being put into bat under bowler-friendly conditions. However, as the sun emerged from behind the clouds, the runs began to flow.

“Losing the toss this morning, we’ve done exceptionally well,” Head remarked in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I was trying to make sure I was in a really good position. I got tested through parts of that. I just tried to work through those periods and be adjustable and stay relaxed.”

Head encountered some trouble against left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja but managed to counterattack right from the start of his innings, with 24 of his first 27 runs coming through boundaries. This aggressive approach put pressure back on the Indian bowlers while Smith adopted a more conventional batting style.

“I always love batting with Steve,” Head commented. “You need to have plans bowling to him because he’s so unique. You say he played second fiddle, but I always feel I’m playing second fiddle to him and can go a bit under the radar.”

By the time India resorted to short-pitched deliveries to challenge Head, he was well settled, and a pulled single off Shami took him to a brilliant century off just 106 balls, including 14 fours and a six.

“Travis just goes about his business, sees the ball, and hits it,” praised Smith, who reached his half-century off 144 deliveries. “He shifted the momentum. It was a tremendous innings.”

India took the new ball towards the end of the day, but it had little effect on a day that saw captain Rohit Sharma hoping for more wickets after winning the toss.

As Smith and Head defied the Indian attack, Sharma may have questioned the decision to leave out off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the top-ranked Test bowler in the world, who could have posed a threat to Australia’s top-order featuring three left-handed batsmen.

India had a strong start to the match, their second WTC final after losing to New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 edition in Southampton. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja for a duck with an excellent wobble-seam delivery, reducing Australia to 2-1 to the delight of the predominantly pro-India crowd of nearly 23,000.

However, David Warner, who had struggled with just one century in his previous 32 Test innings, showed resilience and struck three successive fours off Umesh Yadav after digging in. Warner’s promising innings ended on 43 when he gloved a pull shot off medium-pacer Shardul Thakur, resulting in a well-caught dismissal down the legside by diving wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat.

Marnus Labuschagne, the top-ranked Test batsman in the world, fell early in the second session, getting bowled between bat and pad by a swinging delivery from Shami.

The WTC final represents the only major men’s cricket trophy Australia has yet to win. Additionally, it marks the beginning of a packed schedule of six Tests in eight weeks for Australia, including a five-match Ashes series against England.

As the culmination of a two-year qualifying process, this fixture brings together some of the world’s finest cricketers in a direct showdown. Let’s examine three key battles that could shape the outcome of this thrilling encounter:

Steve Smith vs Cheteshwar Pujara:

During his brief stint with Sussex, Australian batsman Steve Smith found himself captained by India’s Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara showcased excellent form for Sussex, scoring three centuries in six innings. However, Smith has a remarkable Test record at The Oval, averaging nearly 98 with two centuries in three matches. Their clash promises to be an intriguing contest as both players strive to make an impact on the game.

Pat Cummins vs Mohammed Shami:

With the absence of injured quicks, Josh Hazlewood and Jasprit Bumrah, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and India’s pace bowler Mohammed Shami will carry added responsibility. Cummins led Australia’s attack impressively during the 2019 Ashes series, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 19.62. Shami, known for his control and experience, provides India’s captain Rohit Sharma with a reliable option in the field. Their battle could prove crucial in determining their team’s success.

Spin Battle:

Nathan Lyon, Australia’s premier off-spinner, has been a stalwart in their bowling attack for over a decade, amassing 482 Test wickets at an average of just over 31. Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s talented counterpart, is closing in on 500 Test wickets with an impressive average of 23.93 from 92 matches. While India has been hesitant to play Ashwin in English conditions, the presence of a dry pitch that favors spin might see him partnering with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin’s superb record against Australia and his top ranking in the ICC Test bowling rankings make him a formidable adversary.

With these thrilling battles on the horizon, the World Test Championship final promises to be a gripping contest between two cricketing powerhouses.

In a recent statement, Rahul Dravid, the coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his views on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Dravid emphasized that dismissing Australia’s David Warner requires more than just employing the tactics used by England’s Stuart Broad during the 2019 Ashes.

David Warner has been a remarkable opening batsman of his generation, amassing 8,158 runs at an impressive average of 45.57, including 25 centuries, in 103 Test matches. However, heading into the WTC final and the subsequent five-match Ashes series, Warner has only managed to score a single century in his last 32 innings and has a mediocre record in England.

During the Ashes series in England four years ago, which ended in a 2-2 draw, Warner struggled with an average of less than 10 and fell victim to Stuart Broad seven times, often dismissed while Broad bowled from around the wicket to exploit the left-hander’s weaknesses.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval before the WTC final, Dravid acknowledged Warner’s class as a player and stated that getting him out is not as simple as just adopting Broad’s tactics. Dravid remarked, “He wouldn’t have played a hundred times if it was that simple.” He further added that every batsman has their strengths and weaknesses, and although Warner has been successful, there are ways to counter his game.

Dravid stressed the importance of dismissing Warner early on in the match, recognizing that it could significantly impact the outcome. He also reflected on the significance of reaching the WTC final, considering the hard work put in by the team over the past two years. The inaugural 2021 WTC final saw India losing to New Zealand.

However, Dravid acknowledged the concerns surrounding the future of Test cricket amidst the growing popularity of T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League. He expressed his hope that the WTC final would inspire more teams to engage in Test cricket, despite the challenges posed by scheduling and financial factors. As a former Test cricketer who played 164 matches, Dravid personally expressed his desire to see an increase in the amount of Test cricket being played worldwide.

Taylor, who was part of the New Zealand team that won the inaugural edition of the WTC, expressed his opinion that India’s chances are favorable this time around. With the match taking place at The Oval, Taylor noted that if the pitch begins to offer turn later in the game, it could play into India’s hands due to the presence of spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

“India with Jadeja and Ashwin and if the ball does turn as the game goes on, I think that will play into India’s hands,” Taylor shared during an event ahead of the WTC Final, moderated by Harsha Bhogle.

However, Taylor also acknowledged Australia’s advantage of playing the Ashes series regularly, which provides them with valuable experience in five-match Test series every few years.

“We have seen that wherever India plays around the world, they are well supported. The Australian team plays the Ashes series frequently and has the experience of participating in a five-match series every 3 or 4 years,” Taylor added.

India secured their spot in the WTC Final by defeating Australia 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. The series was closely contested, with Australia narrowly avoiding relegation from the top spot by securing a victory in the third Test in Indore.

Both teams will be without key fast bowlers, as India’s Jasprit Bumrah is sidelined due to a back surgery, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is out of the final clash due to persistent issues with his Achilles heel.

The information you provided about the ICC World Test Championship and the potential changes in the Indian playing XI is accurate. India will indeed face Australia in the WTC final starting on June 7, 2023, in London. The Indian team will be missing some key players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah due to various injuries.

To replace KL Rahul, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who is yet to make his Test debut. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his opinion that Ishan Kishan could bring an X-factor to the team and should be included in the playing XI for the crucial WTC final.

Ponting also suggested that all-rounder Hardik Pandya could be valuable for India in a one-off Test match like the WTC final. Pandya has been performing well in white-ball cricket and has been bowling consistently in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Pandya himself had previously ruled himself out of contention for Test cricket until he feels he has earned his spot by going through the grind and performing consistently in the longer format.

It remains to be seen how the Indian team management and selectors will approach the selection of the playing XI for the WTC final and whether they will consider the inclusion of Ishan Kishan and/or Hardik Pandya based on the available options and the team’s requirements.

According to a top official, the dates and venues for this year’s One-Day International World Cup in India will be announced around the time of the World Test Championship final. It is unusual that the schedule for the 50-over tournament, expected to take place in October-November, has not been disclosed yet. The main reason for the delay is the issue of accommodating Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is working on a plan to have a neutral venue for a match against arch-rivals Pakistan, who are also the hosts of the Asia Cup, in September. Pakistan has threatened to boycott the World Cup if India refuses to play in the Asia Cup.

The final between India and Australia for Test cricket’s ultimate prize will be held from June 7-11 at the Oval, which is likely to be the venue for the announcement of the World Cup details. BCCI secretary Jay Shah mentioned that the venues for the World Cup would be finalized and revealed during a press conference at the World Test Championship Final. He also stated that the complete schedule for the tournament, which includes major cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata as potential venues, would be disclosed.

The fate of the Asia Cup is expected to be decided during the IPL final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has invited the cricket board presidents of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to the IPL final to discuss the tournament’s specifics. Shah mentioned that the future of the Asia Cup 2023 would be determined in a meeting with the ACC members, including the Test-playing nations and Associate nations.

India and Pakistan, being cricketing giants and arch-rivals, have not played each other on home soil in any format of the game since 2012. They only face each other in multinational tournaments on neutral grounds. The history of three wars and their status as bitter political rivals since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947 contribute to the complexities surrounding their cricket matches.

The ICC World Test Championship will grant $100,000 to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, along with New Zealand, Pakistan, and West Indies, as part of a total prize purse of $3.8 million.

Bangladesh secured the ninth position among the nine teams in the Championship, with the final match scheduled to take place at The Oval in London from 7th to 11th June, featuring India and Australia.

The winners of the World Test Championship will be awarded a prize of $1.6 million, while the runners-up will receive $800,000.

The tournament prize money remains unchanged from the inaugural edition of the championship, the ICC World Test Championship 2019-21.

In the previous edition, led by Kane Williamson, the New Zealand team won the championship, earning $1.6 million in addition to the prestigious Mace trophy after defeating India by eight wickets in the final held in Southampton.

All nine participants of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 will share the $3.8 million prize purse. South Africa secured third place in the standings and earned $450,000.

England, who showcased an aggressive playing style and made a late resurgence in the two-year cycle, finished fourth on the table, receiving a reward of $350,000.

Sri Lanka, once in contention for a spot in the final before their series defeat in New Zealand, dropped to fifth place, with a share of $200,000 in the prize money.

Ahead of the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final, Virat Kohli affirms his commitment to maintaining his current technique and refrains from incorporating “fancy shots” into his repertoire for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In a recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the esteemed Indian batsman showcased his prowess by scoring a magnificent century off just 63 balls, propelling the Royal Challengers Bangalore to an emphatic eight-wicket victory. Although Kohli ranks fourth among this season’s leading scorers with an impressive tally of 538 runs from 13 matches, his strike rate of 135.85 may seem relatively modest for a top-order batsman.

While his captain, Faf du Plessis, and teammate Glenn Maxwell have launched 36 and 30 sixes respectively, Kohli has struck 15, emphasizing his focus on consistency and technique rather than relying on flashy shot-making.

Kohli Values Technique over Flashy Shots, Stays Focused on Winning Matches. Following his outstanding performance, earning him the Player of the Match award, Virat Kohli emphasized his preference for a disciplined approach rather than relying on extravagant shots, especially considering the demanding cricket schedule throughout the year.

Kohli expressed, “I’ve never been a guy who tries so many fancy shots because we have to play 12 months of the year. It’s not about playing fancy shots and jeopardizing my wicket. We have test cricket after the IPL, so I must remain true to my technique and contribute to my team’s victories, which I take great pride in.” While Kohli had previously led India to the final of the inaugural WTC in 2021, where New Zealand defeated them, he has since passed the captaincy to Rohit Sharma.

However, his exceptional form will be crucial to India’s aspirations of clinching Test cricket’s grandest prize by triumphing over Australia at the Oval. Kohli’s remarkable innings not only equaled Chris Gayle’s record of six IPL centuries but also propelled Bangalore closer to securing a playoff berth as they currently occupy the fourth position in the points table.

Regarding criticism of his strike rate, Kohli brushed it off, emphasizing that his track record speaks for itself. He stated, “I don’t really care about what anyone says on the outside, to be honest, because that’s their opinion. When you’re in that situation yourself, you know how to win games of cricket, and I’ve done that for a long period of time. Playing the situation is what I take pride in, and it’s evident from my performance in crucial matches.”

IPL is going on in full swing. Almost all the top batsmen of India are busy in this one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world. But India’s head coach Rahul Dravid and the support staff have no time off. Once the IPL ends, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will fly to England to play the World Test Championship final. As a result, cricketers will get very little time after the end of the IPL. So Rahul Dravid wants to come down from now on. Rahul Dravid and the support staff will sit in the meeting at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

India will face Australia in the final of the World Test Championship in England. India could not win a place in the finals last time as well. The Men in Blue set a precedent by reaching the final twice in a row. However, despite reaching the final, injuries to some of the top bowlers and batsmen are keeping India under pressure. India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is already suffering from injuries. Attacking batsman Rishabh Pant was injured in a car accident at the end of the year. Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out with a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. All in all, Rohit Sharma’s team is under a lot of pressure before reaching the final of the World Test Championship. Rahul Dravid will want to solve this problem. On the other hand, at the end of the year, the One Day Cricket World Cup is again on the soil of the country. Mr. Dependable wants to move forward with that in mind.

“Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathore, bowling coach Paras Mambre and other support staff will sit under the leadership of VVS Laxman to discuss various issues related to the national academy,” said an official of the Indian board, who didn’t want to be named.
As the National Cricket Academic Head, VVS is not only looking at improving the injury problems of cricketers. Along with this responsibility, he is performing the important responsibility of bringing up new cricketers. According to sources, Dravid and VVS will discuss the workload of the cricketers. There are several other tours after the World Test Championship final.

However, according to sources, the BCCI has not given any letter to the IPL franchises regarding the workload of the cricketers. Incidentally, at the beginning of the tournament, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj were heard to be told not to put too much pressure on them. However, nothing has been officially announced by the board.

Besides, speculations have started whether Ajinkya Rahane will be seen again in the World Test Championship final because he is in great form at the moment. He is getting runs not only in the domestic season but also in IPL. It is believed that this issue can be discussed in this meeting because Shreyas is knocked out. It remains to be seen whether Rahane can replace him.