WTC 2023 Final IND vs AUS Match Highlights: Here are the two squads
Australia: 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: 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
Who will win the Test Mace at WTC? Australia more balanced, India start on the backfoot
Sunshine gleamed from every footage from Arundel and Beckenham, the training base for India and Australia for the World Test Championship at Oval, which again, as the photographs captured, glistened in a pre-summer glow. But England summers are different from those of India and Australia. The sun never bakes like in India; it does not scorch like in Australia. Some of India’s batsmen wore windbreakers and floppy hats, some of the less acclimatized Australians wore skull caps and jackets for a swing at the Formby Golf Club.
The weather is but just one of the factors both teams would have to adjust before the Oval showdown to crown the new monarchs of Test cricket. after a rushed and sweaty build-up with no form book, no tour games, no trash talk, or no grand swooping narrative arcs to be completed. There is the whimsy mood of the wine-red, hand-stitched Dukes’ ball to be mastered; there is an unknown pitch to be conquered—no Test has ever been played at the Oval in early June; Test-match habits and tempo have to be reacquainted with after an Indian summer of IPL. (READ MORE)
WTC final: Bounce adds intrigue to the Oval pitch
WTC Final: How the Dukes ball will impact the game
How-to-bat in England manual for Rohit Sharma & Co in the WTC: Wait and leave the ball alone
"Yeah, it was difficult. We have seen that we keep fighting no matter how far we are as per the situation. We have fought and made comebacks in the past. We gave a good fight in two days. We needed a brilliant, exceptional performance.
Obviously, they had the upper hand, and then gave away the wicket. It can happen. It was not a 469 runs wicket. I feel the runs we have leaked at the tail-order that is a thing. We knew what line and length we had to bowl, we didn't bowl the right line. We gave away room to Travis Head who capitalised. I feel, in that stage, we went behind. Maybe, in the second innings, we could have been careful while playing a few shots.
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"We made the most of it. We were going to have a bowl. But the way Travis and Smithy batted gave us all a little comfort after a nervy morning.
[Head] has been brilliant throughout this campaign. He puts the pressure right back on the bowlers. We left day one feeling we were on top of the game.
At times we weren’t at our slickest but when it counted we were in control.
Scotty Boland just continues to be my favourite player. We all played our role. When it counted we all switched on and got the breakthrough.
We came into this with slightly different preparations. But everyone was switched on. We’ll savour this before we turn our attention to the Ashes.
Ask anyone in the change-room, this is our favourite format. When you win it’s the format you get the most satisfaction from."
"It was a tough one. I thought we started well, winning the toss and putting them into bat. We bowled well in the first session but let ourselves down. But you’ve got to give credit to the Australian batters. That just took us off guard. We knew it was hard to come back. We fought til the end but congratulations to Australia.
We spoke of a lot of things [on how to better bowl to Head and Smith]. We spoke about bowling tighter lines, some different stuff. But it didn’t work out. You’ve got to stay in the game. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t.
I thought it was a great fight back from Rahane and Shardul. We needed somebody to stand up and they kept us in the game. We bowled well in the second innings. But we again failed with the bat. It was a good pitch to bat on. We didn’t capitalise.
We worked really hard for four years, playing two finals is a good achievement for us. But the Test Championship final comes over two years so you can’t take away what we achieved in those two years. Its unfortunate we couldn’t go on and win the finals but we’ll keep our heads and go on to fight for the next one."
"It’s a great achievement for this group. We’ve played some great cricket over the past two years, firstly to get to this situation to play a final against India who have also been exceptional over the past two years.
The way we’ve played this week has been outstanding. Trav played exceptionally well. I held up the other end. We let them back in with some unforced errors but we felt we were always in control.
[On his blinder to ge Kohli] We know that he’s dangerous when chasing. I thought that spell this morning from Scott Boland was outstanding. To take the edge and for the catch to sit safely in the hands was a nice one. And to get Jadeja in the same over set us up nicely."
"It was good fun. Nice to come over here. Our bowling group was brilliant to take 20 wickets.
Just had to hit similar areas all the time.
It was nice [to get Kohli]. Smith took another great catch and Green took some blinders.
I’ve been playing state cricket for Victoria for 12 years, done some hard work and now nice to play international cricket."
"We had to be patient to get the breakthroughs. We needed that little rub of the green [he says, mentioning the stunning grab from Smith to get Kohli].
The way [Rahane] played in the first innings, we knew we couldn’t take the foot off the gas. If we stuck to our areas we’d get chances and we took them quickly.
Thjis group has been fantastic for a long time. We set ourselves some goals that didn’t go our way, but the way this group has played for the past two years, this is a testament to them.
Coming off that Test series [against India] the guys know each other quite well. Two fantastic sides, fantastic cricket to watch, we’re going to enjoy this as a group."
"It’s amazing. A lot of hard work over two years so it’s been nice.
I’ve had this approach for two years. I want to be proactive and be good enough to stay out there for a period of time. It was nice to be out there with Smudge. It was an amazing week.
Hopefully this will be a couple of big months for [Steve Smith].
I’ve always had the confidence. Just about going out there and expressing it. I’ve always been open to change and open to learning. I’ve bedded down somewhat of a blueprint. It’s about being consistent on and off the field.
We doubled down on them and were able to reap the rewards."
A reverse sweep from Siraj loops towards the man at point and he goes for 13 as India are bowled out for 235. This is Australia’s ninth ICC trophy. Lyon collects his fourth for this innings. India lost their last seven wickets for 55 runs.
Short into the hip and Shami swivels and pulls and get it fine of fine leg.
Starc misses his yorker and Shami plays an aerial drive just past the non-striker.
There is the big shot and there is the wicket. Tosses it up here, Bharat goes for the big one and mistimes it. The ball goes straight up in the air and the catch is taken by Lyon off his own bowling. Bharat departs here as India lose their 9th wicket. Australia are one wicket away.
The TV umpire has been referred to for a stumping chance. Mr. Kettleborough to have a look. Ultraedge suggests no spike in the line as the ball passes through the outside edge of the bat. Well, the foot is just inside the line
The difference for me has been in the top order batters, centuries win matches but 40s don't.
Short and wide, Shami goes up and over the slip cordon and away it goes to the third man fence for a boundary. (India are 224 for 8 after 60.4 overs)
Nasty bouncer from Starc. Yadav was in no position to handle this well-placed bumper. He gets a glove on it and it ricochets off his helmet. Carey has to stretch to pluck it with one hand. (India are 220 for 8 after 60.2 overs)
KS Bharat tapped ot to the right of gully and was off for a quick single. Green needlessly took q shy at the bowler's end and it results in overthrows. .(India are 218 for 7 after 58.1 overs)
India are sinking and they are sinking fast. Thakur reviews but this looks plumb. Lyon from round the wicket, picthes that on off stump and spins it back into the right hander. Hits him on the knee roll but there isn’t a huge stride. Three reds and India are seven down.(India are 213 for 7 after 58 overs)
That's the final nail in the coffin for India! The pressure gets better of Rahane who has been India's best batter in this test! Rahane can’t help himself as he throws his hands at a wider one and nicks off. (India are 212 for 6 after 56.2 overs)
Here comes Nathan Lyon into the attack. A single from Bharat on the third ball. Then Rahane hits a boundary. Rahane rocks back and punches it against the spin. Superbly placed as he sends it through vacant cover point. He keeps the strike with a single. (India are 212 for 5 after 56 overs)
Another half-volley from Starc and another gorgeous shot from Ajinkya Rahane. He moves into the 40s. (India are 206 for 5 after 54.2 overs)
200 up for India! A short of the day from Rahane. Rahane goes on his front foot and shows off his touch and class to drive it straight back past the bowler and down the ground for a boundary. (India are 201 for 5 after 53 overs)
I do believe that batters when they know they are near a landmark tend to try and do something to get to their landmark so we saw that in the first innings with Jadeja he was batting so well on 48 and he pushed his bat out when he thought he could run the ball down he was caught in the slips if he was not on 48 he might not even played that ball he might have left it. And we saw Kohli chase a delivery outside the off-stump He showed so much discipline then he thought oh! 1 run can get to another half-century landmarks mile stones you chose the wrong balls to play the wrong shots because you want to get there. It happens so often.
A short of confident from KS Bharat. Lovely square drive. Bharat takes a nice stride forward and drives it through the gap at cover point to find the boundary ropes. He will keep a strike with a single. (India are 195 for 5 after 52 overs)
Scott Boland has a string attached to his hand. Moving it both ways off the seam at will. Next over, Cameron Green troubled Bharat, who is looking like a walking wicket. Mitchell Starc into the attack and three runs came from his over. (India are 190 for 5 after 51 overs)
Australia review again. Surely sliding down leg. Let’s see. Boland is confident. Just as I thought. Australia burns another one. Two singles from that Boland over. (India are 186 for 5 after 49 overs)
Cummins has pinned Bharat on the helmet. He’s crunched on the back of his head and now the physios are out conducting a concussion test. Australia need five wickets to win the match. (India are 184 for 5 after 48 overs)
As batsmen when you know, they are locking themselves to that off-stump line. It Is very easy for you to go into the same spot and same position all the time expecting Boland expecting Cummins to keep hitting that area and when you set up one a little bit straight and a little bit wider your eyes light up you follow up with your hands and that's what Kohli did.
Edged and climbs over the slip cordon and races away towards the boundary ropes. This could've been another wicket if Warner at first slip caught it. Back of a length delivery at the fourth stump line. Bharat gives a go at it and gets the outside edge this time. Australia need five-wicket to win the match. (India are 183 for 5 after 47 overs)
Scott Boland is on fire! Two overs in an over and Australia are right on top at the stage. Half of the Indian side are in the dugout. Jadeja goes without scoring. Australia need five-wicket to win the match. (India are 183 for 5 after 47 overs)
An absolute stunner from Steve Smith at second slip to dismiss Virat Kohli. Scott Boland with the wicket. Kohli has been trapped in this fashion even before in the UK and this time it is Boland who outfoxes the King one run shy of a half-century.
Kohli goes hard at the push and watches the ball whisker the outside edge. Marnus goes and suggests his skipper to go upstairs. Marnus felt that he heard a noise. A review has been taken. There is flat line as the ball passes through the outside edge of the bat. Australia loses a review and both Marnus and Pat are disappointed.
Better over from Cummins. Kohli looked unperturbed, and took a quick single by pushing it wide of mid-off. The offcutter jagged back and Rahane dies well to get his bat out of the way. Fifth ball of the innings, Rahane steer one down the backward point region to get a single. Kohli swivels a tad late and pulls it towards the right of short mid-wicket region for a single. Kohli moves onto 49* with that single. India need 265 runs to win. (India are 179 for 3 after 46 overs)
Another single down the backward point region. As Ravi Shastri says on air "sixth single have come from that area." One run from Boland's over. India need 268 runs to win. (India are 176 for 3 after 45 overs)
Rahane opens the face and runs another single down to backward point. Thn Kohli did a Rahane and took a single at the same region. The last ball of the over was a super bouncer from Cummins and Rahane initially looked to roll his wrists but was half-hearted and caught up on the outside edge of the bat to help the ball fly towards the fine leg region for a boundary. India need 269 runs to win. (India are 175 for 3 after 44 overs)
Scott Boland is on the money again. The nip-backer troubled him on the first ball. Rahane then opens the face of his bat to get a single. Fifth ball of the over, a loud appeal from the bowler but Cummins decided against of taking a review. A solid front-foot defence from Kohli ended the over. India need 275 runs to win. (India are 169 for 3 after 43 overs)
Cummins from the other end. Virat Kohli picks a single to get going. Rahane guides one towards the deep backward point for a couple of runs. Four runs came from Cummins over. India need 276 runs to win. (India are 168 for 3 after 42 overs)
Scott Boland starts off with a maiden. The first ball kept low and he straightaway on the money. Probing on a fourth stump line around a good length. Rahane looked confident also. (India are 164 for 3 after 41 overs)
We are all set for the action to begin. The two umpires are out there in the middle. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will resume for India. Scott Boland will start the proceedings for Australia. Here we go one last time of this Ultimate Test.
We are all set for the action to begin. The two umpires are out there in the middle. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will resume for India. Scott Boland will start the proceedings for Australia. Here we go one last time of this Ultimate Test.
Nasser Hussain and Kumar Sangakkara, in their pitch report: "The temperature is around 30 degrees and there is a 40% chance of rain, so there could be a thunderstorm, but we do have a reserve day in hand. The pitch though has changed, from green grass to dry grass, the bounce has become lower. There are some footholes to the left-handers, but there's not a lot against the right-handers. There could be some reverse with the old ball, but the bowlers will have to work hard on the ball. An unusual Oval pitch, it deteriorates usually, but this one has actually become better."
Cummins has asked India to average three an over to win the final. India has history at the Oval, where it has the most runs in a fourth innings, 429 in a 1979 draw against England. Can they do it ?
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting reckons the catch taken by all-rounder Cameron Green to dismiss Indian opener Shubman Gill had the ball touching the ground at one point but credited the third umpire for taking the "correct decision" during the fourth day's play of the World Test Championship final. Ponting told the ICC, "When I saw it live, I knew it had carried to him on the full, but I wasn't sure what the action was after that from all replays we have seen." "I actually think some part of the ball did touch the ground and it is the interpretation of the umpire that as long as the fielder has complete control of the ball before the ball hits the ground then it is out.
So far in his innings Kohli looked composed and hit seven boundaries, while Rahane, after taking a literal beating on Thursday and Friday, punished bad balls. “They've got two class players in at the moment so we've got to stay patient,” Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey said. “(The pitch) is still doing bits and pieces, but hopefully those chances will come.”
Australia would have hoped to wallop some quick runs, post a big target, and declare but they were made to sweat, allowing India the possibility of win and draw.
Read Sandip G's account of what happened on Day 4
Gill, on 18 from 19 balls, was out to another sensational catch at gully by Cameron Green. He plucked it with his left hand barely off the ground and scraped the grass. To check it was fair, the umpires asked for a review and seven replays later they confirmed Green's fingers were beneath the ball. “I knew I caught it straight away,” Green said. “I know it looks a bit weird but I knew. The openers got off to a flying start so it is always nice to get that first (out) to settle our nerves.”
At the stroke of tea, Scott Boland got one to bounce little extra from length and it flew from ball the shoulder of Shubman Gill's blade only to be scooped up inches off the ground by a diving Cameron Green, stationed at gully.
READ WHAT SHUBMAN GILL HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CATCH
"What motivates me is knowing that the opportunity I have every game that I play for India, to make my team win,” Kohli told the ICC ahead of the WTC Final. "I don't think in sport there is any bigger motivation than that. "I wake up every morning of any game that I play believing that I'm going to be the guy who is going to make my team win.”
A successful fourth-innings chase in the WTC Final would smash not just the record of 262 at The Oval, but break the all-time benchmark of 418 set by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.
Lyon to bowl the final over of the day and Kohli flicks his first ball for a four. And it's in the air and Smith takes it but it;s off his pads. Stumps for Day 4 and India are 164/3 after 40 overs, need 280 to win from the final day.
Cummins in to bowl the 39th over and Kohli off the mark with a single. And another no ball. How many has he bowled in this innings alone? IND 160/3 after 39 overs, need 284 to win
Pat Cummins in to bowl the 37th over. Starts with 5 wides!! Bounces up, over the batter as well the keeper to go behind for 4. The next 2 balls are dots. And yet another no ball. The remaining balls yield no runs. If it wasn't for those 5 wides, would have been a pretty decent over. 158/3 after 37 overs, need 286 to win
Starc to bowl the 35th and after a couple of quiet deliveries, Kohli flicks it through midwicket for a four. 50-run partnership up for these two as well. The next two balls are dots as blocks both. Ends the over with a sublime shot to grab a four. IND 150/3 after 35 overs, need 294 to win.
Lyon in to bowl the 34th and the overpitched second ball is caressed towards the boundary for 4 by Rahane. Takes a single to give the strike back to Kohli. Jsut 1 more from this one. IND 142/3 after 34 overs, need 302 to win.
The 33rd over and Starc is introduced back in the attack. Starts with a dot as Kohli defends. 2 more dots follow. The fifth ball is tucked away with four more. IND 136/3 after 33 overs, need 308 to win
Boland will bowl the 31st over and Rahane places the 2nd delivery for a biundary. The next ball is tapped towards backward point. IND 130/3 after 31 overs, need 314 to win
Lyon in to bowl the 30th and gives away just 1 run from the first 5 deliveries. The last ball also defended nicely. just 1 from the over ultimately. IND 124/3 after 30 overs, need 320 to win