After four years of Test Cricket all around the world, the two best Test sides will battle it out at The Oval to become the second ever World Test Champions.
Australia and India are the two teams in question. Australia finished their four-year campaign with 11 wins, three losses and five draws, while India amassed 10 wins, five losses and three draws.
India had the upper hand the last time these two sides met, but that was on their home turf. With a neutral venue and English conditions, this could truly be anyone’s game.
I’ve combed through scorecards and got really nuffy with it.
Here is my preview of the World Test Championship Final.
My Predicted Australia XI
- D. Warner
- U. Kwahaja
- M. Labuschagne
- S. Smith
- T. Head
- C. Green
- A. Carey (WK)
- P. Cummins (C)
- M. Starc
- N. Lyon
- S. Boland
Josh Hazlewood has unfortunately been ruled out of the Final due to the injuries he picked up over the summer, however I don’t think he would’ve been picked in the XI regardless.
This will be a massive test for cult figure Scott Boland. The 34-year-old flourished during the Australian summer but only bowled 17 overs for no wickets in India.
The conditions should suit him a lot better in England but with Michael Neser tearing the house down in County cricket, this game could be Boland’s only chance at an Ashes call up.
A lot has been said recently about David Warner. It’s hard to disagree with the numbers; Warner certainly has been out of form in recent innings. However given his body of work over the last 15 years, I believe he is well within his rights to finish his Test Career on his own terms. A tune-up game in the English conditions should do him a world of good before he once again faces Stuart Broad who has had his number a fair few times.
Back Australia to win @ $1.91
The weather looks set to be reasonably okay in London for at least the first three days of this Test. There is rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday but given that this is a final, a reserve sixth day can be used if needed (which happened in 2019).
How England invented a sport that was so reliant on dry weather will always confuse me.
We will get a result one way or another and I am with the Aussies. Despite their 7 win, 17 loss and 14 draw-record at The Oval since 1880, India haven’t played much better at the famous ground either. They only have 2 wins, five losses and seven draws at that venue.
Would you believe it — these two teams have never played a Test against each other at this ground.
The English conditions should favour the Australian bowling attack and the likes of Starc, Cummins and Boland with a Dukes ball should really make the Indian bowlers struggle.
Back Steve Smith to score 100+ First Innings Runs @ $5.00
While Smithers isn’t having the greatest of County seasons, in three games at The Oval he has an average of 97.75. I
t’s been a great ground for Smith over the years — how can you forget his 143 back in 2015, and he also finished the 2019 Ashes Series with a knock of 80.
Marnus Labuschagne is having a better County season (502 runs @ 71.71) and is also $5 to raise the bat. It’s hard to look past what Smith has done against the English at this ground and that’s where my money is (Marnus is also worth a play, no one can get him out).
Back Cam Green to score 50+ Runs
I predicted over the summer that we would see Cam Green start to dominate. I wouldn’t say I was wrong, maybe just a little early.
Greeny is coming into this Test match on the back of some monster IPL scores.
He’s faced a lot of Indian bowling in the last two months and I believe he could explode in this match.
Despite having just the one century to his name at the moment but given the form he’s in, that should increase very very soon.
Back Mitchell Starc Top Aus 1st Wicket Taker @ $3.75
We didn’t get to see a heap of Starcy over the summer thanks to that finger injury but the big fella is back and ready to rip in with the Dukes ball and I am so excited.
It hasn’t been a great ground for Mitchell Starc, he has just three wickets at an average of 66.00 but I like his chances against an Indian side in English conditions.
Starc has 44 wickets against India at an average of 38.68. While it’s not his favourite opposistion to bowl to, the big hooping left armer should go well on a cold overcast afternoon in South London.
Come on the Aussies!