Pitch and weather: Spin often plays a crucial role at The Oval. Since the start of 2012, during which time the ground has hosted 10 Tests, fast bowlers have averaged a collective 30.57 at The Oval and spinners 34.83. Of the English grounds that have hosted at least five Tests in this period, The Oval is where fast bowlers have achieved their worst collective average, while spinners have done better only at the Ageas Bowl (31.27) and Headingley (32.43).
These numbers, though, could have something to do with Oval Tests tending to take place in August and September, when the weather is warm and dry and the pitches have undergone wear and tear over the long English summer. The ground has never previously hosted a Test match as early as June.
Oval pitches typically tend to offer plenty of bounce, which could enthuse bowlers, both fast and slow, on either side, as well as allow batters to play their shots if there isn’t too much sideways movement.
The forecast promises a clear, bright start to the Test match, with maximum temperatures in the early 20s Celsius. There could be rain on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, though – the scheduled fourth, fifth and reserve days.
India vs Australia Highlights today. only test, Wednesday 7-6-2023, ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final, Kennington Oval, London.
Rohit confirms they are going with four fast bowlers. “It is tough to leave Ashwin out. He has been a match-winner for us, it is not a great occasion to leave him out, but you have got to do what is best for the team in the given conditions,” says Rohit.
Cummins says he would have bowled first as well. He confirms Scott Boland is playing his first Test in England.
Toss: India chose to field.
India team: RG Sharma*, Shubman Gill, CA Pujara, V Kohli, AM Rahane, KS Bharat†, RA Jadeja, SN Thakur, UT Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Australia team: DA Warner, UT Khawaja, M Labuschagne, SPD Smith, TM Head, C Green, AT Carey†, MA Starc, PJ Cummins*, NM Lyon, SM Boland.
Head to Head In test’s: 106
India Won: 32
Australia Won: 44
India test Rankings: 1st
Australia test Rankings: 2nd
Form guide
(Last five matches, most recent first)
India DLWWW
Australia DWLLD
Match Timings: 9:30 AM GMT | 10:30 AM Local
Umpires – Chris Gaffaney, Richard Illingworth
TV Umpire – Richard Kettleborough
Match Referee – Richie Richardson
Reserve Umpire – Kumar Dharmasena
Match number – Test no. 2505
Highlights will be Available Shortly.
