“Australia, Champions of the World” is a statement that has almost become synonymous with ICC tournaments, and fair enough too, given Australia is by far the most successful team at ICC tournaments. With 5 ODI World Cups and a T20 World Cup already in their glittering cabinet, the Aussies went into the World Test Championship Final looking for another piece of silverware to add to that.
The date for the ‘Ultimate Test’ was set and both India and Australia rocked up to the Oval with the expectation of bringing home the Test Championship Mace. India was without their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Australia lost Josh Hazlewood to injury right on the eve of the game. The pitch was a green top and looked to be a seamers paradise.
It was the match day and India won the toss under overcast conditions and unsurprisingly choose to bowl first to try and get maximum advantage of the bowler friendly conditions. The green top had them drop the highest wicket taker of the ICC Test Championship Cycle - Ravi Ashwin - and bring in Umesh Yadav to make up the seam attack with Jadeja playing as a spinning all-rounder. Australia made the forced change with the injury to Hazlewood and brought in cult-hero Scott Boland.
India’s decision at the toss was justified early as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj took three early wickets to leave Australia 76/3 just after lunch. But that only brought Travis Head to the crease who played in typical Travis Head fashion going at close to a run a ball and taking the attack back to the Indian bowlers. Steve Smith was conservative at the other end, and while he wasn’t as attacking, he was as assured as ever, as the pair put on a massive partnership and made sure Australia didn’t lose any more wickets on the opening day. Travis Head got to his hundred with a boundary late in the day and didn’t look like stopping. Smith followed suit early next morning, getting to his century from 228 balls. Travis Head then reached 150 before being caught down the leg side for 163. Smith too got out soon after, but a fighting 48 from Alex Carey helped Australia make 469 in their first innings. The Indian bowlers didn’t have a great outing, but Siraj ended with a 4-wicket haul.
In reply, India started positively, but Pat Cummins had the better of his opposition number trapping Rohit Sharma plum in front for 15. Then Scott Boland got rid of Shubman Gill with the ball of the day, castled while shouldering arms. Kohli and Pujara never quite got going and both got out for 14. Jadeja then joined Rahane at the crease and the pair fought to put up a decent partnership. Jadeja however fell to Lyon late in the day and India finished Day 2 at 151/5, still trailing by 318 runs.
Scott Boland got rid of K.S. Bharat early on Day three, but the morning session belonged to India, as they looked to fight their way back into the game. Ajinkya Rahane turned back the clock and churned out the runs, putting on a 100 run partnership with Shardul Thakur. Rahane looked set to make hundred but a piece of brilliance from Cameron Green in the gully had him caught off for 89. Thakur reached 50 soon after, but the Aussie quicks cleaned up the tail and India were all out for 296, conceding a first innings lead of 173 runs.
India looked determined to have a better showing with the ball second time around, and Mohammed Siraj set the tone early dismissing Warner for 1. Khawaja too nicked behind with India trying to edge their way back. This brought Smith and Labuschange together and the pair continued their merry way without providing too many chances. Smith got out trying to take the attack to Jadeja and Travis Head was out caught and bowled not long after.
Umesh Yadev got Labuschange out early on Day 4, with Australia 5 down and the lead less than 300, giving India a sniff at an unlikely victory. Alex Carey though had other ideas though and continued his form from the first innings and brought up a half century. Mitchell Starc provided some important lower order runs and Australia declared at 270/8 with Carey not out on 66. This meant India were set a target of 444 runs with a day and a half to try and chase it down.
India came out with an attacking approach and were quick to punish anything loose. They were going along at close to 5 runs an over in the chase and fancied their chances at 91/1. But Nathan Lyon came into the attack and immediately got rid of the attacking Rohit Sharma, before Cummins got rid of Pujara the very next over. Kohli and Rahane consolidated for India and got to 164/3 at stumps on Day 5, still needing 280 runs to win the World Test Championship.
Australia entered the last day as firm favourites with Kohli and Rahane the only thing between them and the Championship Mace. Scott Boland improved the odds and got two wickets in the one over, seeing the back of Kohli and Jadeja. Starc came back to knock over Rahane and Australia were cruising to a comfortable win. Lyon and Starc cleaned up the tail and India were bundled out for 234 runs, Australia winning by 209 runs.
Australia was the deserving winner having outshone their opposition with bat, ball and in the field throughout the 5 days. It’s also an important milestone for this team led by Cummins and one they will reflect on fondly. Once the Ashes starts later this week, this will firmly be in the rear-view mirror for the Aussies, but for now they will savour their win knowing, “Australia are Champions of the World” (again!).
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