Australia captain Pat Cummins was over the moon as his side defeated India by 209 runs in the ICC WTC 2023 final at the Oval to become the new Test champions. This also meant that they became the first team ever to win all the ICC trophies.
Many had thought that Australia losing the toss was a disadvantage for them, as they were put into baovercast cast conditions by India captain Rohit Sharma. But despite a trying first session and being 76/3, they bounced back to score 469 runs with Travis Head and Steve Smith scoring centuries.
In response, a collective bowling effort from Australia saw India making only 296 with Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur scoring fifties. Captain Cummins led with three wickets in India’s first innings.
By the the time second innings started, the pitch had flattened out and Australia posted 270/8d with Alex Carey making 66* on the fourth day and asked India to chase 444 runs in just ovday time.
Though it looked like India would do some miracle, it was not to be as they lost three wickets on day four, and after resuming on day five on 163/3, the no.1 ranked Test team lost Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to Scott Boland in one over.
After, that they were quickly wrapped for 234 runs and Australia won the WTC 2023 final by 209 runs and became the new Test champions.
Travis Head was named the Player of the Match, while Pat Cummins received the ICC Test mace.
“We made the most of it (losing the toss). We were certainly going to bowl. The way Travis and Smithy put on that partnership, gave us the comfort after a nervy morning. He (Head) has been brilliant right throughout this campaign, started with the Ashes a couple of years ago. He just puts the pressure right back on the bowlers and suddenly you are thinking about how to contain runs rather than taking wickets. We left day one feeling like we were on top of the game. When it counted, we played really well. We could have really driven the game, didn't have our best day and let India closer back in. For the most parts, we were in control,” Pat Cummins said while speaking in the post-match presentation ceremony.
On the final day of the match, the Indians lost their last seven wickets for a total of 70 runs. Nathan Lyon picked 4 wickets, while Scott Boland took three.
“Boland - he's my favourite player. He just continues to be my favourite. Everyone did their role really well. Coming off a break, everyone switched on when it mattered. Everyone played really well and we'll savour this for a few days before we turn our attention (to the Ashes). This is our favourite format, we grew up watching Test cricket. It challenges you. When you win, it's the format you get most satisfaction with. We love playing,” Cummins added.
Australia will have some time to celebrate the win, and they will next take on England in the five-Test Ashes which begins on June 16 in Edgbaston.
(ICC inputs)
