There is a lot of buzz around the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, slated to be held at the Oval from June 7 to 11.
This is the second successive WTC final for India having played it last time only to lose to New Zealand. On the other hand, Australia played some high quality cricket right through this edition to make their maiden final appearance.
Ahead of the marquee game, Australia’s star batter Steve Smith said he is not thinking much about 'The Ultimate Test' and hoped that the summit clash will be a "good game of cricket."
Smith also believes that Australia can beat India in the all-important fixture.
"We believe we can do well and beat India. We have played good cricket over the years. We obviously played some good cricket in the last few years. They also played really good cricket. The two best teams playing in the final are great. Hopefully, it is going to be a good game of cricket. I am not thinking about the opposition too much. It is a big week for both India and Australia," Smith said at the pre-match press conference.
Earlier this year, India defeated Australia by a 2-1 margin in the home Test series, with the spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sharing 47 scalps between them.
Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, India boast fast-bowling depth with Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat featuring in the squad alongside all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
"India have got a good mix of Seam and swing bowler and their spinners as well. They have gots good attack. Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj are the two main guys.....and there are spinners as well who found these conditions well. So India have a good attack and we have to play very well against them," Smith said.
"Every game you play for your country is important. Every series is important. 50 over World Cup is far away but we will focus on that later but we would want to win it. Test cricket still remains. It stays in mind for some time to come," he added.
Australia’s key pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the WTC 2023 final due to fitness issues, and Michael Neser has been named the replacement.
"(I've got) so much faith, he is a quality performer. I faced him against (County side) Glamorgan a couple of weeks ago and he bowled beautifully. He has got great skills and he's added some of the inswingers we have seen him bowl when the wicket is a bit flatter. So he has got loads of skills and is batting nicely as well, so he is a great package. If he gets an opportunity he will certainly do a very good job," Smith said in praise of Neser.
(With ANI Inputs)
