India vs Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Pat Cummins’ Australia clinch the World Test Championship Final against India to deservedly crown themselves at the summit of red-ball cricket. The Aussies add the only missing silverware to their glorious trophy cabinet, becoming the only team to have won all four major ICC tournaments. It was Scott Boland’s double-wicket over in the first hour of the play that led the foundation for Australia’s resounding victory on the fifth day.
Rohit Sharma’s men headed into the fifth and final day of the summit clash with their hopes firmly placed on the senior batting duo of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. But catastrophe struck for the Indians when former skipper Kohli’s tendency to flirt with wide deliveries cost him dearly. He was sent back by a menacing Scott Boland after a stunning catch from Steve Smith at second slip.
The Asian Giants slipped further in the match after Boland got rid of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with a peach of a delivery for a duck in the very same over. The twin strikes punctured India’s slim hopes of getting over the line in the WTC Final. Meanwhile, unperturbed by the two dismissals, Rahane kept the scoreboard ticking with some glorious shots.
Nathan Lyon runs riot after Scott Boland’s sizzling opening spell
Wicketkeeper batter KS Bharat endured a stiff test from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc as he was hit flush on the helmet by Starc’s thunderbolt. A partnership was brewing between India’s last recognised batting pair, reviving the hopes of the Indian fans to some extent at The Oval. However, much like Kohli, Rahane went fishing for a ball well outside the off stump, nicking the ball through to the keeper.
Rahane’s departure pretty much guaranteed Australia’s maiden triumph in the competition as the result became a mere formality from thereon. Shardul Thakur was trapped plumb in front of the wicket by Nathan Lyon for a duck, while Umesh Yadav was sent packing by a nasty bouncer from Mitchell Starc.
With wickets falling in clusters from the other end, KS Bharat chanced his arm against the veteran Australian spinner, only to depart after a wild slog. Indian speedster Mohammed Shami delayed the inevitable with a few eye-catching shots as Australia completed a comprehensive victory by dismissing Mohammed Siraj.
There’s something about Australia…they come with a built-in software of champions.
Congratulations on winning another tournament!
Tough luck for our #TeamIndia.#WTCFinals pic.twitter.com/9A1i12X6RW
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 11, 2023
The perfect start to an English summer. Congratulations @CricketAus controlled the match from day one. #WTC2023 🏆
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 11, 2023
Congratulations @patcummins30 💛💚
and @CricketAus for becoming World Test Champions 🙌🏽,
Now bring on the Ashes 👊🏽,
We might witness one of the best Ashes in the history 💭 #WorldTestChampionshipFinal #Champions #Australia #Ashes2023
— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) June 11, 2023
Congratulations, Australia! 🇦🇺
A roaring victory in the ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final 🎉#WTC23 #WTC23 Final pic.twitter.com/yp7pZMWMov
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) June 11, 2023
🏆 ICC World Test Championship
🏆 ICC Men’s World Cup
🏆 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
🏆 ICC Champions Trophy
🏆 ICC Women’s World Cup
🏆 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Australia is the first nation to win all six major ICC tournaments.#WTC23 pic.twitter.com/XKOOZlnNhN
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 11, 2023
Great game of cricket congratulations @CricketAus for win the #WTC2023Final 🏆 and well played @BCCI boys. #WTC2023Final #INDvAUS
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) June 11, 2023
A narrative will be created to put the blame on Indian bowling, but take out most of your ‘big-game’ losses it’s your famed batting that flops. Why are they engulfed with the fear of failure?
Time for accountability finally#IndvAus #WTCfinal
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 11, 2023
Not a single fifty from the Indian Top 4 in both the WTC Finals.#INDvsAUS #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/1m9j3RjCKB
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 11, 2023