“Australian Analysts Preview the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India”

Sport Australia vs India: ICC World Test Championship Final

The forthcoming cricket season is poised for a magnificent showdown. India, the top-ranked team in Test cricket, and Australia, who stand at number 2, would be vying to capture the biennial International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Test Championship. The match has been scheduled at The Oval in London starting from 7:00 pm AEST on Wednesday, June 7th. The encounter is the biennial conclusion to find out the most effective Test-playing team across the globe. Australia and India will play a one-off match to decide the winners of the ICC World Test Championship.

The World Test Championship

The ICC introduced the World Test Championship in 2019 to rejuvenate the five-day format of cricket, which was allegedly losing its fervor outside of England, Australia, and India. It introduced a league-style format over a two-year period that comprised of each Test played which was worth points. Each team played six Test series in a two-year period, and the top sides played off in the final. New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in June 2021 by defeating India by eight wickets at the Rose Bowl.

The Fairness of the World Test Championship

Nine of the 12 Test-playing nations competed in the World Test Championship. Test newcomers Ireland and Afghanistan, who have struggled for matches due to the pandemic, and Zimbabwe, who encountered difficulties both on and off the field have been left out. Over a two-year period, teams play different numbers of Tests with varying degrees of importance placed on Test matches by each country. England played 22 matches in this two-year cycle, for example, while Sri Lanka managed 12. The inherently lopsided fixture of inequality in a first-class championship is nothing new. Each test is awarded points based on the result achieved- with 12 points for a win, four for a draw, and six for a tie. The overall standings are not just determined by the total points, but by the percentage a team could have acquired over the period, leading to a balancing act of sorts.

What is Expected?

Australia is leading the table with 66.67% of the points followed by India with 58.80% of points earned from their 18 Tests. In recent contests, India has had the upper hand, holding the Border-Gavaskar trophy since 2017 and retaining it over the last three series. Australia, having faced the Indian cricket team on their home turf in one of the series, would be seeking revenge in the upcoming match.

The Final

The final match is anticipated to be held in England in June, where the odds of weather significantly impacting the match are high, although the forecast suggests cloudy conditions will prevail as opposed to rain. To account for the possibility of weather impacting the game, the Test has been scheduled to have a sixth day as insurance, which can only be used in the event of time being lost. The final table shows that Australia stands higher than India over the last two-year cycle, however, if the game finishes in a draw, the competition will be shared.

Players to Watch Out For

Pat Cummins would be leading the Australian squad which comprises a good mix of players in excellent form in red ball cricket. Michael Neser, who replaced Josh Hazlewood, is set to make his debut. India‘s squad is packed with stars like Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have contributed to India‘s wonderful performance in Tests to date.

The Verdict

The ICC World Test Championship Final is anticipated to be a nail-biting encounter, with passionate cricket fans worldwide eagerly awaiting the outcome. The Winner will hold the title of the best Test-playing team across the globe, thereby activating a sense of pride and prestige in their homeland.