The much-awaited ICC World Test Championship 2023 is set to witness a thrilling final showdown between Australia and India at The Oval. With preparations in full swing, both teams have recently announced their final 15-player squads. This article will take you through the squads and standby players for both teams, as well as some expert opinions and highlights of the players’ recent performances.
Australia’s Final 15-Player Squad
Australia has trimmed down their original 17-player squad to the final 15 players who will compete against India in South London from June 7. The finalized Australian team includes Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, and David Warner.
Josh Hazlewood Remains in the Mix
Experienced seamer Josh Hazlewood has managed to secure his place in the final 15-player squad despite concerns about his fitness. Hazlewood had been battling side soreness during the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading to speculations that Michael Neser might replace him. However, Hazlewood’s inclusion in the team indicates that he is expected to be fit and ready for the championship final.
Standby Players and Preparations
Australia’s standby players include all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Matt Renshaw. In addition, UK-based Australians Michael Neser and Sean Abbott will contribute to the team’s preparations when they reach London in early June. Back-up keeper Josh Inglis and Nathan Lyon’s understudy Todd Murphy have also been included in the final squad. Any changes to the 15-player squad based on injury or other reasons would require approval from the ICC technical committee.
India’s Final 15-Player Squad
India has made no changes to their 15-player squad since KL Rahul’s withdrawal due to injury. The final Indian lineup consists of Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, and Ishan Kishan (wk).
Yashasvi Jaiswal Earns a Late Call-Up
Uncapped youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal has been called up as a standby player for India following his impressive showing in the IPL. Jaiswal managed to accumulate 625 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.61 while playing for the Rajasthan Royals. He will replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as one of three standby players for India.
Standby Players and Preparations
Jaiswal joins white-ball star Suryakumar Yadav and uncapped seamer Mukesh Kumar as the standby options for India. The trio will join the main squad of 15 in London in the coming days as both teams gear up for the much-anticipated championship final.
Standout Young Players at the IPL
Ravi Shastri has picked his standout young players from the IPL who could potentially feature in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devdutt Padikkal are some of the players who have caught Shastri’s eye with their stellar performances in the IPL.
The Road to the Final
Both Australia and India have had a remarkable journey leading up to the ICC World Test Championship 2023 final. The two teams have displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, making their upcoming clash at The Oval an eagerly-awaited event for cricket fans worldwide.
Key Players to Watch Out For
The final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 will showcase some of the finest cricketing talent from both Australia and India. Some key players from both teams include Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, David Warner, and Cheteshwar Pujara, among others. Their performances in the final will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Both Australia and India boast strong and well-balanced squads for the final. While Australia has a formidable pace attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, India has a solid batting lineup featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara. The spin department is an area where India holds a slight edge over Australia, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spearheading the spin attack.
On the other hand, both teams have certain weaknesses that their opponents could potentially exploit. For Australia, their middle-order batting has been inconsistent, while India’s pace bowling attack, despite its recent improvements, might still struggle in English conditions.
The Oval: A Historic Venue
The iconic Oval cricket ground in London will host the ICC World Test Championship 2023 final. The Oval has a rich history dating back to 1845 and has been the venue for some of the most memorable moments in cricket. The pitch at The Oval is known to be batting-friendly, which could lead to a high-scoring encounter between the two teams.
The Final Showdown
As Australia and India finalize their preparations for the ICC World Test Championship 2023 final, cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the clash between these two cricketing giants. With both teams featuring an array of world-class talent, the stage is set for a thrilling contest at The Oval.
