The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a tournament that aims to add context and excitement to the longest format of the game. It features nine teams competing in a league format over a two-year cycle, with the top two teams qualifying for the final. The second edition of the WTC started in 2021 and will conclude in 2023 with the final at The Oval, London from June 7 to 11.
The final will be a historic occasion for both the teams and the fans, as it will crown the best Test team in the world. The winners will take home a purse of 800,000. The final will also have a reserve day (June 12) to make up for any loss of play on the scheduled five days.
The two teams that have made it to the final are India and Australia, who have been the most consistent and dominant sides in the WTC cycle. They have both won six out of their eight series, with India having a slight edge in terms of points percentage (58.93) over Australia (75.56).
India and Australia have also faced each other twice in this cycle, with each team winning one series at home. India won the four-match series in Australia in 2020-21 by 2-1, while Australia won the four-match series in India in 2022-23 by 3-1. Both series were closely fought and had some memorable moments and performances.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma has been their leading run-scorer in this cycle, with 1,234 runs at an average of 51.41, including four centuries and five fifties. He has also led the team with flair and aggression, taking over from Virat Kohli who stepped down after the first series against Australia in 2020-21.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has been their leading wicket-taker in this cycle, with 69 wickets at an average of 19.94, including six five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match. He has also been a handy lower-order batsman, scoring 492 runs at an average of 24.60, including three fifties.
Both teams have a balanced and experienced squad for the final, with some exciting young talents as well. Here are the squads for both teams:
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadakt Umesh Yadav.
The Oval is one of the oldest and most iconic cricket grounds in the world. It has hosted many memorable Test matches over the years, including the first ever Test match in England in 1880 and the famous Ashes Test of 1882 that gave rise to the legend of the urn.
The Oval has also been a happy hunting ground for both India and Australia in Tests. India have won three out of their six Tests at The Oval, including their last two visits in 2014 and 2018. Australia have won seven out of their 37 Tests at The Oval, including their last visit in 2019.
The pitch at The Oval is usually good for batting, with some assistance for seamers and spinners as well. The average first innings score at The Oval in Tests is 348 runs, while the average fourth innings score is 214 runs. The highest total at The Oval is 903/7 declared by England against Australia in 1938, while the lowest total is 44 by Australia against England in 1896.
The weather forecast for London during the final is mostly sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C.
The final of the WTC is expected to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams, who have both shown resilience and skill in this cycle. Both teams have a strong batting line-up, a potent bowling attack, and a capable captain.
However, India have a slight edge over Australia in terms of recent form, confidence, and adaptability. India have won their last two series in England, while Australia have lost their last two series in England. India have also shown the ability to bounce back from tough situations and perform under pressure, as they did in Australia in 2020-21 and against England in 2021-22.
Therefore, the prediction is that India will win the final by four wickets, chasing down a target of around 250 runs in the fourth innings. Rohit Sharma will be the player of the match for his century in the first innings and his crucial fifty in the second innings. Pat Cummins will be the player of the series for his outstanding bowling performance throughout the cycle.
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 is a historic event that will showcase the best of Test cricket. It will be a battle between two giants of the game, who have both earned their place in the final with their consistent and impressive performances. It will be a test of skill, temperament, and character for both teams, who will leave no stone unturned to lift the coveted mace. It will be a spectacle that no cricket fan would want to miss.
What is the ICC World Test Championship?
The ICC World Test Championship is a tournament that aims to add context and excitement to the longest format of the game. It features nine teams competing in a league format over a two-year cycle, with the top two teams qualifying for the final.
When and where is the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023?
The final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 will be played at The Oval, London from June 7 to 11, with a reserve day on June 12.
Who are the finalists of the ICC World Test Championship 2023?
The finalists of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 are India and Australia, who have both won six out of their eight series in this cycle.
Who will win the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023?
The prediction is that India will win the final by four wickets, chasing down a target of around 250 runs in the fourth innings.
Who are the captains of India and Australia for the final?
The captains of India and Australia for the final are Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins respectively.
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